45 Ark. 295 | Ark. | 1885
Mrs. Summers sued the railroad company before a justice of the peace for killing her colt,' and recovered judg* ment by default. The defendant appealed, and in the circuit court attempted to get rid of the action upon a suggestion of want of jurisdiction in the lower court, alleging that no valid service of process had been made upon it. But the attempt was unsuccessful. The circuit court does not sit to review and correct errors and irregularities committed in the magistrate’s court, but tries the cause anew on its merits. By appealing the defendant made itself a party to the proceeding, and could not object to the jurisdiction over its person. McKee v. Murphy, 1 Ark., 55; Smith v. Stinnett, Ib., 497; Ball v. Kuykendall, 2 Id., 197; Sykes v. Laferry, 23 Id., 99.
The jury found for the plaintiff, and that the value of the colt was $20. Their verdict is not unsupported by evidence. The animal was killed by a passing train. It was, therefore, incumbent on the company, under the statute, to show that it had exercised due care and caution in the operation of its train. The testimony tended to prove that the train was running an ascending grade at night with a speed of twelve or fifteen miles an hour; that the colt was discovered on the track fifty yards ahead, and, as the jury might well believe, running in the same direction that the train was pursuing, and that the only means used to avoid the accident were to blow the whistle and to shut off the engine.. The fireman indeed says that all possible efforts were put forth to save the colt after discovery of the danger; but he does not mention the usual appliances that are resorted to under such circumstances, as the application of brakes, sanding the track, etc. The jury might with reason conclude that the presumption of negligence raised by the striking of the animal, was not rebutted.
The jury also found specially that notice of the killing had not been posted, and the court in consequence doubled the damages. Sec. 5538 of Mansfield’s Digest requires a description- of live stock killed or injured by trains to be posted at the nearest depot within a week, and the same to be kept posted for twenty days. One witness swore that he had examined the side of the depot-house at the nearest station, where such-.notices are usually put up, two or- three days after the killing, and had found no advertisement. This is not sufficient, as the law may have been complied with afterwards. But the jury doubtless felt themselves bound by the direction of the court upon this subject, that proof of such compliance devolved on the defendant.
As a general rule, both in civil and criminal cases, the burden of proof rests upon him who asserts the affirmative of a question in dispute. But there are well defined exceptions, in which the proposition, though negative in its terms, must be proved by him who advances it. Thus, if the plaintiff grounds his right of action upon a negative allegation, the establishment of this negative is essential to make out his case. Here Mrs. Summers’ claim to double damages is based upon an averment that the company did not advertise. Hence she must offer some proof of the failure to advertise; not very stringent, perhaps, but such proof as, in the absence of counter testimony, would warrant a jury in inferring that notice had not been given.
Again, Mrs. Summers’ action may be regarded in the light of a prosecution for a penalty given by statute. The rule in that case is that, if the statute, in describing the offense, contain negative matter, the complaint must contain a corresponding negative allegation and it must be supported by prima facieproof; unless, indeed, the matter lies peculiarly within the knowledge of the other party, in which case the allegation is taken as true, unless disproved by that party. This last qualification finds its illustration in prosecutions against unlicensed persons for doing acts which are unlawful without a license; for example, to sell liquors, or to practice certain professions. 1 Gr. Ev., Secs. 78-9; 1 Whart. Ev., Secs. 356-7; Hopper v. State, 19 Ark., 143; Williams v. State, 35 Id,., 430.
Now, the failure to give notice is not a fact that is incapable of proof, nor is it peculiarly within the knowledge of the railroad company. It is a matter to which any one might testify, 'who-had inspected the depot-house after the lapse of a week from the occurrence of the casualty, and within the period of twenty days thereafter. Neither courts nor juries can be permitted to indulge the presumption that a person or a corporation has; neglected to perform a duty which the statute casts upon him or upon it. This is contrary to a well settled principle that governs in judicial investigations.
If the’ plaintiff shall before the end of the term, enter a remittitur of $20, her judgment will be affirmed, otherwise it will be reversed for a new trial.