Case Name: CHARLES H. VAN SIZE, Appellant, v. THE LONG ISLAND RAILROAD CO., Respondent
Court: New York Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1875-02
Citations: 10 N.Y. Sup. Ct. 613
Docket Number: 
Parties: CHARLES H. VAN SIZE, Appellant, v. THE LONG ISLAND RAILROAD CO., Respondent.
Judges: 
Reporter: Supreme Court Reports (Hun)
Volume: 10
Pages: 613–613

Head Matter:
CHARLES H. VAN SIZE, Appellant, v. THE LONG ISLAND RAILROAD CO., Respondent.
Trespasser—effect of putting fixtures on the land of another.
The 'defendant being in occupation of a strip of land, with its track thereon, took proceedings under the general railroad act to acquire title.
It appeared that when the track was laid, the farm, embracing this strip of land, belonged to one Stewart, and that he conveyed to Van Size, who was the owner when such proceedings were taken. Van Size sought compensation, not only for the land, but for the improvements put thereon by the company. He offered to prove that its entry on the land was without the owner’s consent, and also the value of the rails, ties, etc., on the strip in question. The commissioners refused to allow proof of these facts, and Van Size appealed from the order confirming their report.
The court was of opinion that the railroad company, if it entered without consent, was a trespasser as to the then owner, and as to Van Size who acquired title from him; and that any fixtures it placed on the land while its occupation thereof was that of a trespasser, belonged to the owner who was such at the time of the making of the valuation ; and that the commissioners therefore erred in rejecting the testimony offered by Van Size. The railway track, composed of rails and ties, was a fixture of the land, and its value as a fixture, enhancing the value of the land for the beneficial enjoyment thereof, was the measure of compensation.
Thomas Yoitng, for the appellant.
Benjamin W. Downing, for the respondent.

Opinion:
Opinion by Tappbn, J.
Present — Tappbn and Donohue, JJ.
Order reversed, with costs.