Case ID: sc_119/html/0175-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Mr. Justice Cothran.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

10876
    BROWN v. WESTERN UNION TEL. CO.
    (112 S. E. 117)
    1. Telegraphs — Commerce.—Where a message between Charleston and Aiken was transmitted by the company through Atlanta, it is an interstate message and there can be no recovery for mental anguish or punitive damages for delay in its delivery.
    2. Telegraphs — Commerce—Government Control. — There can be no recovery against a telegraph company for delay in a message during the period of operation and control of said company by the U. S. Government.
    Before Wilson, J., Aiken, November, 1919.
    Reversed.
    Action by Steven Brown against Western Union Telegraph Co. Judgment for plaintiff for actual and.punitive damages and defendant appeals.
    
      Messrs. Francis R. Stark and Nelson, Gettys & Mullins. for appellant,
    cite: Message was interstate transaction and liability is controlled by Federal Law: 110 S. C. 169; 115 S. C. 520; 254 U. S. 17. Not liable while under Government control: 65 U. S. L. Ed. 709.
    
      Mr. Filian B. Salley, for respondent.
    April 18, 1922.
   The. opinion of the Court was delivered by

Mr. Justice Cothran.

Upon the authority of Berg v. Telegraph Co., 110 S. C. 169, 96 S. E. 248; Son v. Telegraph Co., 115 S. C. 520, 106 S. E. 507, Telegraph Co. v. Speight, 254 U. S. 17, 41 Sup. Ct. 11, 65 L. Ed. 104, and Telegraph Co. v. Poston, 256 U. S. -, 41 Sup. Ct. 598, 65 L. Ed. 709, the judgment of the Circuit Court is reversed.