44 Conn. 521 | Conn. | 1877
In Woodruff v. Neal, 28 Conn., 167, Storrs, C. J., said as follows: “It is well established in this state, in conformity with the principles of the common law, that a highway is simply an easement or servitude, conferring upon the public only the right of passing over the land on which it is laid out, and as an incident of such right that of using the soil and the materials upon it in a reasonable manner for the purpose of making and repairing it. The title of the owner of the land is not extinguished, but is simply so qualified that it can only be enjoyed subject to the easement. He retains the fee and all rights of property in the land not.’ incompatible with the public enjoyment of the right of way, and whenever the highway is abandoned or lost, the entire, exclusive and unincumbered enjoyment reverts to him. Subject to this right of the public he may take trees growing upon the land, occupy mines, sink water-courses under it, and' generally has a right to every use and profit which, can be derived from it consistent with the easement, and when dis-seized (as he may be) can maintain ejectment, and recover possession subject to the easement, and can also maintain trespass for any act done to the land not necessary for the enjoyment of the easement, which would be an actionable injury if the land was not covered by a highway.” In Jackson v. Hathaway, 15 Johnson’s Reports, 447, the Supreme Court of New York said as follows: “When the sovereign imposes a public right of way upon the land of an individual, the title of the former owner is not extinguished, but is so qualified that it can only be enjoyed subject to that easement. The former proprietor still retains his exclusive right in all mines, quarries, springs of water, timber and earth, for every, purpose not incompatible with the public right of way.”
In passing upon the question of evidence made in the court below, we must distinguish an enquiry as to purposes from one as to methods. We think the court had a right to enquire as to the purpose for which the selectmen diverted the flowing water from the owner. If that purpose should prove to be simply drainage for public safety, the court would ordinarily refrain from enquiring as to the methods by which it had been effected; but, if the purpose should prove to he solely to supply a watering trough, then the court, leaving aside the entire question as to methods, might enquire whether in so doing they had destroyed any private right. It is not true that
There is no error in the judgment complained of.
In this opinion the other judges concurred.