Case ID: root_1/html/0269-02.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Bissel v. Southworth.
    Where a private river divides between adjoining proprietors, that no division fence can be made in the line —it is a case omitted in the law, and must be ruled by principles of reason and common justice.
    ActioN of trespass, declaring that the defendant’s cattle got into tho plaintiff’s inclosure, bounding upon Nachauge river and ate up his corn and grass, etc. Plea not guilty. Issue to the jury.
    The facts in the case as admitted were — Nachauge is a small river, dividing the lands of the plaintiff and defendant; the plaintiff ploughed and mowed his side and the defendant-pastured on. his side; the river was no fence, and it was impracticable to maintain a fence in the dividing line between them, and very difficult keeping a fence on the banks of the river; the defendant turned his cattle into his pasture, and they went across tbe river into tbe plaintiff’s land, and ate bis com and grass.
    Verdict upon second consideration, was for tbe plaintiff.
   The court in giving tbeir reasons to tbe jury, agreed, that where a river, which is not navigable^ divides between two adjoining proprietors, tbeir lands meet in tbe middle of the river; and where lands are so situated that a division fence cannot be maintained in the dividing line, it is a case not provided for in tbe statute, and must be governed by tbe principles of reason and justice; and be that keeps cattle, must so keep them, as to prevent tbeir injuring tbe property of others. Tbe improvement of lands by ploughing and mowing, is of great public utility, it is therefore to be encouraged and protected; and tbe defendant’s turning his cattle upon bis own land knowing of tbe situation, was a trespass upon tbe plaintiff.