Case ID: me_68/html/0521-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Appleton, O. J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Timothy Murphy vs. Andrew Kelley, jr.
    Penobscot.
    Decided November 30, 1878.
    
      Watercourses. Surface water. Sewers. Action.
    
    The owner of land may prevent surface water flowing on his land, whether from a highway or an adjoining field.
    The plaintiff, failing to show any easement in or right to the sower on defendant’s land hy deed or prescription, has no cause of action against defendant' for closing it.
    On report.
    Case for obstructing, on defendant’s premises, a drain or sewer leading from plaintiff’s cellar through and across a highway, through and over ground in possession of the defendant, and thence until it vented and discharged itself into a brook below.
    
      L. Barker, T. W. Vose db L. A. Barker, for the plaintiff.
    
      A. L. Simpson, for the defendant.
   Appleton, O. J.

This is an action on the case for obstructing a sewer or drain on the defendant’s premises.

The drain has existed for thirteen years. The plaintiff has owned his house and lot for about five years. He shows no right to the use of the defendant’s drain, by deed or prescription.

The defendant “ may prevent surface water from coming upon his land, whether flowing thereon from a highway or any adjoining land,” remarks Peters, J., in Morrison v. Bucksport & Bangor Railroad, 67 Maine, 353. So he may erect structures thereon regardless of its effect upon surface water or how much others may be affected by it. Bates v. Smith, 100 Mass. 181.

The evidence entirely fails to show a watercourse where the drain is; and if there had been one there, this suit is not for its disturbance.

Plaintiff nonsuit.

Walton, Barrows, Danforth, Peters and Libbev, JJ., con curred.