Hill v. City of Sedalia

64 Mo. App. 494 | Mo. Ct. App. | 1896

Gill, J.

This is an action for damages because of personal injuries received by the plaintiff while passing over a defective sidewalk in Sedalia. Both parties are complaining; the defendant, on account of numerous alleged errors in the trial of the main ease, and the plaintiff, on account of the court’s action in taxing costs against her. .

On a trial by jury, plaintiff had a verdict and judgment for $2,300, and from this defendant appealed. The principal facts will be mentioned in the course of the opinion.

I. Defendant’s first, and perhaps main, contention is, that plaintiff was not injured on one of defendant’s streets; that there was no dedicated public highway at the point where the plaintiff fell. A careful reading of the entire testimony shows this contention to be without merit. We have before us a plat of Twelfth street, as it runs from the tracks of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad, on the west, to a point near the eastern city limits. It is shown by the evidence to be a public traveled street, sixty feet wide, with a thickly settled population residing on both north and south sides, and had been so for quite a number of years before this accident. Plaintiff was injured while walking along a sidewalk upon the south side of this street and some three blocks east of the railroad tracks. At this place, one Zener formerly owned an unplatted tract, fronting on the south side of Twelfth street five hundred and twenty-eight feet and with a depth of one hundred and sixty-five feet, the north line running to the center of said Twelfth street. He bought it in 1874, and during the several years thereafter, sold it off in seven parcels, beginning the description in every case thirty feet south of his north line; in some conveyances he agreed to leave a street in front; in others, he conveyed to the grantee an undivided portion of the thirty-foot strip, but in perhaps one or two deeds made no mention of said strip. The evidence in this behalf conclusively shows that it was the intention of Zener and his grantees to throw out this strip of thirty feet for use as a part of Twelfth street. And, further, the proof is, that about the year 1883, and pursuant to the requirements of a city ordinance, this sidewalk was constructed and it was built on the south line of said thirty feet and along just outside the yard fences of several dwellings that had been erected on the Zener block. This sidewalk was made to conform to that along the street east and west, on the same straight line, and on the south side of what was then understood to be a sixty-foot street. These and other circumstances detailed in the evidence conclusively established a common intention of all concerned in this unplatted block, during a space of twelve years or more, to set apart the north thirty feet thereof as part of said Twelfth street. It was so treated andreeognized by everybody. Such conduct and clear intent of the parties owning this abutting land, brought about, as to them, a dedication to public use, as complete as if platted and filed in the proper recording office. Though not a statutory dedication, it was one at common law and just as effective. “No specific length of possession is necessary to constitute a valid dedication; all that is required is the assent of the owner of the soil to the public use, and the actual enjoyment by the public of the use for such a length of time that the public accommodation and private rights would be materially affected by a denial or interruption of the enjoyment.” 2 Dill. Mun. Corp., [4'Ed.],see. 631.

Defendant’s counsel is correct when he urges that there must yet be, in addition to a dedication by the owners, an acceptance on the part of the city, or the public, before it can be held for a failure to keep in repair. But in this, the case is likewise made complete by the evidence. In order to establish acceptance by the city, it was not necessary to show the passage of an ordinance to that effect. As was said by us in Golden v. City of Clinton, 54 Mo. App. 100: “The law is settled that when a municipal corporation has treated a piece of land within its limits as a public street, taking charge of it as such, etc., it is chargeable with the same duties as though it was legally laid out; and it is liable for damages by reason of neglect to keep the same in condition for travel.” We have in such case an implied acceptance. In the matter of this dedication, the proof is ample that the city met this proposition of Zener and his grantees (when they fenced out this thirty-foot strip and added it to the thirty-feet on the north side of the street and thereby secured a sixty-foot street, as. it existed on both sides, east and west), and accepted the same and forthwith proceeded to and did treat it as part and parcel of the highway. In the year 1883, the city, in the most solemn manner, committed itself to this addition of thirty feet to the street, at the point in question. The common council passed an ordinance, and it was approved by the mayor, requiring the property owners on that particular part of Twelfth street to construct a sidewalk; and it would seem almost conclusive (though the evidence is not entirely clear as to that), that the sidewalk in question was built, in pursuance of such order from the city authorities. While the body of this ordinance was rather vague and indefinite in the matter of the beginning point on the east, the title of said ordinance is yet clear and unambiguous, and clearly shows that the city meant to, and did, order the construction of sidewalks along the south side of' Twelfth street, from Hancock avenue west to the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad tracks; and this necessarily included a sidewalk along and upon the strip in question. Without further discussion, then, of this-first point, we hold that the proof of dedication and acceptance of this part of Twelfth street was so overwhelming and complete that the court would have been justified in declaring the same as matter of law.

II. Defendant’s second point is related to the one just noticed, in that complaint is made of the court’s refusal to take the ease from the jury. It is contended that there was no such defective condition of the walk as to justify a recovery, and that defendant’s tenth instruction to that effect should have been givén. This -contention, too, is untenable. Plaintiff’s evidence tended to prove that the condition of the sidewalk was such as not to be reasonably safe for travel; that the walk was constructed of two inch boards laid crosswise and resting on stringers; that the side, or edge, of one of these was laid on top of the one adjoining and in such a way as to project above the common level, so as to cause people to stumble and fall. It was fastened down in that dangerous condition and had been so for many months. At all events, the condition of the walk was such as justified the court in submitting the question to the jury, as it did, and leaving them to determine whether or not the walk was, on that account, rendered reasonably unsafe for the use of pedestrians. Young v. City, 45 Mo. App. 600.

We notice other objections suggested as to plaintiff’s instructions numbered 1, 1-J-, 2, and 3, and find no substantial error. These instructions practically embody the law applicable in such cases; and even if defendant’s counsel be right in some of his verbal criticisms, they are of such minor importance as not to warrant a disturbance of the judgment.

Fault is found with plaintiff’s instruction numbered 5, in that it makes the city responsible for the condition of a sidewalk put there by the adjacent property owners, without the direct orders of the city. There was no error in giving this instruction. The city was bound to keep its public traveled streets, and the sidewalks thereon, in a reasonably safe condition; and it matters not who may construct the sidewalks thereon, or, indeed, whether the city shall order the same. If such walks are built so as to constitute an obstruction, or get in such condition as to endanger the life or limb of the pedestrian, it becomes the city’s duty, after having notice thereof, express or implied, to remove the obstruction or so repair the same as to make it reasonably safe. This is a case quite different from that cited by defendant’s counsel, Harrington v. City, 98 Mo. 587. The point there was that the city had never opened the street for the use of the traveling public.

Some objections are made also to the instruction in relation to the measure of damages. We think there is nothing substantial in any of these. The jury was, in effect, told to compensate the plaintiff for her physical injuries, if 'any received; for the mental and bodily pain endured, if any; such permanent damages, if any, that may result to her in the future; “as well as all medical eccpenses incurred in and about the treatment of her case.” The testimony shows that Mrs. Hill, on her own account, employed the physician to attend her; that his charges were only $10, but that they had not been paid. It seems to be the defendant’s contention, that compensation for this medical treatment could only be recovered from plaintiff’s husband, that she, as a married woman, was not liable therefor; and therefore, as such expenses were not a valid charge against her, the plaintiff should not be allowed to recover the same of the defendant. This position finds support in some of the early decisions of this state (Kennerly v. Martin, 8 Mo. 698); but under later amendments to the married woman’s statute, the plaintiff had the power to contract, as she did, on her own account,’ for these medical services and such charges were enforceable against her separate property, and such is the character of the money she might recover in this action for injuries to her person,. R. S. 1889, secs. 6864 and 6869. By virtue of said first section, she could make a valid contract for the employment of a physician, and could be sued thereon; and under the provisions of section 6869, her said property would be subject to execution for the payment of such debt contracted during marriage. So, then, we hold this point against the defendant’s contention.

III. Further complaint is made that the trial court erroneously declined, on defendant’s motion, to compel the plaintiff to submit her body 'to a personal examination by medical experts. It was the former rule in this state, that no such personal examination would be ordered on motion of the opposite party. Lloyd v. Railroad, 53 Mo. 509. Later decisions, however, have conceded the right in the trial court, to order a personal examination, but have rested its exercise in the sound discretion of the trial judge, with which the appellate court will not interfere, unless a manifest abuse is shown. See authorities cited in briefs of counsel. In the case at hand, we are not prepared to say that there was an abuse of discretion. This lady plaintiff seems to have called in a firm of most reputable physicians, one of whom was present at the trial and gave his testimony in a very fair and impartial manner. Besides these, numerous lady witnesses were present and testified fully and without restraint to the plaintiff’s condition before and after her fall on the sidewalk. As suggested in one of the cases decided by the supreme court, it is very embarrassing to a lady of ordinary sensibilities, to be compelled to submit her person for examination to any committee of men, or to any other than her own family physician, and the reasons therefor ought to be very cogent and pressing before it should be required.

IV. Neither are we prepared to say that the damages awarded ($2,300) are excessive. The evidence tends to prove that the plaintiff received serious and painful injuries. She was at that time fifty-nine years of age; was a lady in good health and able to perform her household duties, and was in the habit of weaving as a means of supporting her family. Her fall was attended and followed by great pain; her face, breast, hands, arms and legs so crushed and bruised, that she was for weeks confined to her bed and threatened at the time with pneumonia. Besides, the testimony tends to prove that one of her ribs was.broken; and even at the trial, eight months after the fall, she was still suffering and unablo to perform her daily labor, as she formerly did. If the testimony of herself, the attending physician, and the ladies who visited her, is to be credited, the amount awarded plaintiff is not in excess of a reasonable compensation.

V. Lastly, we will dispose of the matter of taxing costs. After the verdict in plaintiff’s favor had been rendered, the lower court, on defendant’s motion, taxed all the costs then accrued against her, and of this she now complains. This rather anomalous order of the trial court is based on section 104 of the charter of cities of the third class, to which Sedalia belongs. This section provides that all claims against the city shall be presented in writing, verified by the oath of the claimant, stating in detail the nature thereof, that it is just, etc.; and that “no costs shall be recovered against the city in any action brought against it for any unliquidated claim which has not been presented to the council to be audited.” On August 30, 1894, Mrs. Hill’s attorneys prepared for her a written claim, verified by affidavit, fully stating the nature thereof, etc., and said attorneys at once delivered same over to the city attorney, with a written request that it be filed and acted upon by the city authorities. In this request -by the plaintiff’s counsel, they suggested, as a reason for immediate action, that the fall term of court was approaching and that it was desirable to have the claim passed on at once, so that suit might be brought by September 15, the last day of service. The city attorney at once (September 1), filed the claim, with letter of plaintiff’s attorneys, with the city clerk, accompanied by this written instruction:

“City Cleuk: — Lay this before the city council and tell them to reject it. But I wish they would have a committee look it up for use in the defense.

(Signed) “E. J. Smith.”

The city council met September 3, and, as requested by the city attorney, referred the matter to a committee. Immediately on being so referred, plaintiff’s attorneys sought to have the committee act on the claim, but it was not done until a meeting of the council on September 17, when an adverse report was made, and the claim rejected. In the meantime (on September 15), plaintiff’s petition was filed and a writ sued out and served.

In argument, oral and printed, plaintiff’s counsel (Mr. Lamm), took the position that the claimant had complied with the terms of the above quoted statute, when she had merely presented her claim to the council, and that she was not required, in order to recover costs, to wait for an investigation and answer thereon. We think this is too narrow a construction, even in view of the rule invoked, to wit, that, as the statute is in derogation of the common law rule as to costs, it should be strictly construed. The manifest purpose of this statute is to give the municipal corporation a reasonable opportunity to investigate such claims and compromise or settle the same, thereby avoiding the unnecessary costs and expenses of litigation. "We are of the opinion also, contrary to the contention of plaintiff’s counsel at the oral argument, that this claim of Mrs. Hill comes clearly within the designation of “unliquidated claims” which are required to be presented to the council before suit.

Notwithstanding all this, we hold that this plaintiff fairly complied with the foregoing section; and it was error to adjudge the costs against her. She is justly exempted from the payment of these costs on either of two theories. In the first place, defendant had ample time, after the claim was presented to the council, and before the suit was commenced, for reasonable investigation and determination as to whether it would allow or reject it; nearly two weeks having intervened between its presentation and bringing suit. And in the second place, the irresistible inference to be gathered from the record is, that the reference to a committee and time taken after the claim was presented, were not for the purpose of determining on the justness or legality of plaintiff’s demand, but solely to permit the committee of the council to gather evidence for the defense of a suit, as was suggested by the city’s legal advisor.

We have considered the several objections relating to the court’s rulings on evidence, to which our attention is called in defendant’s elaborate brief; but find in none of them any grounds for reversal. If error there was, it was entirely harmless.

The judgment will be affirmed, except as to the order taxing costs against the plaintiff, and for this error the cause will be remanded, with directions to the circuit court to tax all the costs against defendant.

All concur.