Case Name: BUNKER v. UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY
Court: Utah Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Utah
Decision Date: 1911-03-15
Citations: 38 Utah 575
Docket Number: No. 2130
Parties: BUNKER v. UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY.
Judges: MeCARTY, I., concurs.
Reporter: Utah Reports
Volume: 38
Pages: 575–607

Head Matter:
BUNKER v. UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY.
No. 2130.
Decided March 15, 1911
(114 Pac. 764).
1. Master and Servant — Injuries to Servant — Defect in Locomotive — Evidence. la aa action by a brakeman to recover for injuries alleged to have resulted from a defect in the brakes on the engine, by reason of which the engineer was unable to stop the engine so as to avoid injury to plaintiff, evidence held insufficient to show that the brakes were defective. (Page 583.)
2. Appeal and Error, — Harmless Error — Instructions. In an action by a brakeman against a railroad company for injuries, an -instruction presenting the last clear chance rule, though erroneous in predicating plaintiff’s right of recovery on his showing that he was “himself in the exercise of due care,” was not prejudicial, where the evidence clearly showed that plaintiff’s injury resulted from the negligence of his fellow servants. (Page 586.)
3. Master and Servant — Injuries to Servant — Instructions— Last Clear Chance. In an action by a brakeman for injuries alleged to have resulted from the inability of the engineer to stop the engine owing to defects in the brakes, an instruction that, if the braking apparatus was defective and that after plaintiff fell from the pilot, the engineer received a stop signal, and that thereupon the engineer endeavored to obey it, and that he was unable to stop the train in time to prevent injury to plaintiff’s arm because the braking apparatus was defective, or out of repair, and if the braking apparatus had been in proper condition the engineer would have been able to stop, and would have stopped, in time to avert the injury, then the condition of the braking apparatus was the proximate cause of the injury, and, if the evidence shows that such condition of the braking apparatus was due to negligence of defendant, the plaintiff, “if shown to have been himself in the exercise of due care,” is entitled to recover, was an instruction on the last clear chance doctrine, and was not rendered misleading by the use of the quoted words, since such words referred to plaintiff’s conduct after he fell from the pilot, 'and not to his previous conduct in placing himself in a position of danger on the pilot. (Page 589.)
4. Master and Servant — Injury to Servant — Proximate Cause. In an action by a brakeman for injuries by being run over by an engine after falling from the pilot of the engine, evidence held not to warrant a finding that the defect in the braking appliances on the engine was the proximate cause of the injury. (Page 590.)
5. Master and Servant — Injuries to Servant — Contributory Negligence. Where a brakeman violated a riile of the master in going upon the pilot of the engine with which he was working, he cannot recover for injuries resulting from his falling from the pilot and being run over by the engine, unless the injury could have been avoided after his peril was discovered. (Page 591.)
6. Master and Servant — Injuries to Servant — Contributory Negligence. Where plaintiff, a brakeman, without any necessity therefor, rode on the pilot of the engine with which he was working, he was guilty of negligence and could not recover for injuries resulting from his falling from the pilot and being run over by the engine. (Page 592.)
7. Master and Servant — Injuries to Servant — Contributory Negligence. Where a brakeman, without necessity therefor, rides on the pilot of the engine with which he is working, and such act is not only negligence, but is in violation of a rule of his employer, the employer owes him no higher duty than he owes to a trespasser. (Page 593.)
8. Master and Servant — Injuries to Servant — Appliances—Duty oe Master. The master’s duty in respect to appliances for his servants is satisfied, where he provides appliances that are suitable and in such condition that his servants can, with reasonable safety to themselves, perform the duties required of them. (Page 593.)
9. Master and Servant — Duty to Servant — Injury to Servant. The master must exercise due care to prevent injury to an offending servant after his perilous position is discovered, but he cannot be held negligent because he has not prepared to obviate every injury that may result from extraordinary emergency, brought about by the violation of the master’s rules. (Page 594.)
STRAUP, X, concurring in result.
Appeal from District Court, Third District; Eon. M. L. Ritchie, Judge.
Action by Fred Bunker against the Union Pacific Railroad Company.
Judgment for defendant. Plaintiff appeals.
AEEIRMED.
Powers & Marioneaux for appellant.
P. L. Williams, Geo. E. Smith and Frank L. Nebeker for respondent.

Opinion:
FRICK, C. J.
Appellant brought this action to recover damages for personal injuries which he alleged were caused through the negligence of the respondent while apppellant was in its employ as a brakeman in the state of Wyoming.
The acts of negligence are given in the abstract in the following language: "That on the 31st day of August, 1908, the defendant had carelessly and negligently failed and omitted to provide a sufficient footboard on the engine and had carelessly and negligently suffered and permitted the air pump to be in such condition that it leaked and supplied an insufficient quantity of air for the operation of the air brakes, and carelessly and negligently failed to have the triple valve on the engine in good order, and permitted the triple valve to be out of repair, in consequence whereof the drive (wheel) brakes on the engine would not release, and carelessly and negligently failed to have,the brake rigging on the tender in proper condition; that the same was so loosely adjusted that the application of air did not result in sufficient friction, and carelessly and negligently failed to have the coach attached to said train connected with the air brake."
It is further alleged that on the dáy aforesaid, while appellant was engaged in the discharge of his duties as brakeman on a certain train and engine, by reason of respondent's failure to "equip the engine with a sufficient footboard, and while the train was running at three miles an hour, he fell from the engine to the ground and was pushed along by the engine; that a signal was given to the engineer to stop; that the engineer could have stopped within a distance of tei. feet, but by reason of the carelessness^ and negligence of defendant as before alleged, the engineer was unable to stop the train, and plaintiff was pushed along upon the ground by the engine after the signal to stop, and after the engineer could and would have stopped, except for the carelessness and negligence of defendant aforesaid, until plaintiff was pushed to a point where his arm came in contact with the switch, and his arm was so mangled and torn by the wheels that it was necessary to amputate the same."
Tbe respondent, in addition to certain denials, interposed affirmative defenses, substantially as follows: (1) That the injuries to appellant resulted from an accident which was caused by his own wrongful and negligent acts and omissions; (2) that the accident occurred in the state of Wyoming, and that at the time of the accident, and when this action was commenced, the common law of England in actions of this character was in force in that state; (3) that, if the injuries to appellant were caused or contributed to by the carelessness of any person other than hismelf, such carelessness and negligence was the act of a fellow-servant of appellant; and (4) that the risk of injury was assumed by him.
The alleged negligence respecting the failure to provide the engine with a footboard, that the triple valve was out of order, and that the coach which was a part of the train was not connected with the air is of no practical importance upon this appeal, and hence we shall not refer to them, except incidentally in connection with other matters.
Upon the other two issues, the facts developed at the trial were to the effect that on August 31, 1908, appellant was in the employ of respondent as rear brakeman on a train which was operated between Rock Springs and Superior, Wyoming, via Thayer Junction, which was a station on the main line, from which a branch line was constructed and operated to reach the coal mines at Superior. Appellant, prior to the accident, had been in the employ of respondent for about two years as brakeman, but had been braking on the particular train and line for about a week only. The train in question usually would start from Rock Springs each morning and would be run to Thayer Junction, and at that point would usually pick up empty cars to be taken to the coal mines at Superior, to be there loaded with coal, and when so loaded to be transported over the branch line back to Thayer Junction for distribution over the main line. The train crew were engaged in handling the train for the purpose aforesaid when the accident occurred. Sometimes cars loaded with merchandise- would be taken to the coal mines at Superior, but the train was being operated principally to take tbe daily output of coal from the coal mines to Thayer Junction for the purposes aforesaid. The train returned to Nock Springs every evening, where it and the train crew remained over night.
On the morning of the day last above stated a train, consisting of an engine, tender, water car, and combination coach, left Nock Springs at about seven thirty o'clock for Thayer Junction. The train was manned by a crew of six persons, namely, a conductor, an engineer, a fireman, and three brakemen, including appellant. When the train had arrived at Thayer Junction, some switching was necessary before starting out on the branch line to Superior. The switching, so far as it had progressed before the accident, consisted of switching the train from the east-bound main line over what is called the cross-over track to the westbound main line. The main line at .this point consisted of a double track. When the train was switched from the eastbound to the west-bound main line, it had to be switched over what is designated a cut-off track, in order to get the train on to the branch line leading to Superior. To accomplish this, all of the switches had been "lined up," so that the train could pass from the main line over the cut-off to the branch line. At this time appellant was standing by the side of the switch at the end of the cross-over track, somewhat ahead of the engine, and signaled the engineer to move ahead over the cut-off track on to the branch line. The engineer, in response to appellant's signal, applied steam, and the train consisting of an engine, tender, water car, and combination coach, moved forward, and when the engine had arrived at the point where appellant was standing by the side of the track, and while the train was moving, as the evidence disclosed, at the rate of from three and one-half to five miles an hour, apppellant steped on to the pilot or cowcatcher, and in attempting to cross over from one side of the pilot to the other, as appellant puts it, "on a piece between two and one-half and three inches wide, by foothold gave way, and I fell." On cross-examination he said he did not know what caused him to slip; "I just slipped" and fell off the front end of tbe pilot. Tbe pilot passed over bis body, and be became unconscious, and in that condition was pushed along under tbe engine for about thirty-six feet to another switch, while tbe engine and train moved about eighty to ninety feet from tbe point where appellant fell off tbe pilot before tbe train was stopped. When appellant fell off tbe pilot, be was seen by Mr. Hamilton, tbe bead brakeman, who was about one hundred and fifty yards east from tbe point where appellant fell. Hamilton testified that be saw appellant fall off tbe pilot, and at once gave tbe engineer a violent stop signal. Tbe engineer and fireman, however testified that tbe first signal Hamilton gave was only an ordinary stop signal, to which tbe engineer responded by making tbe ordinary service application of tbe air to stop tbe train, and that as soon as be realized that Hamilton was giving a violent stop signal tbe engineer at once made an emergency application of tbe air, and brought tbe train to a stop' as soon as be could. We shall more fully refer to this matter hereafter. By tbe time tbe train was stopped, however, tbe engine and tender and about one-balf of tbe water car which was attached to tbe tender bad passed over appellant, and bis arm was caught in tbe switch point before mentioned and was found to be mangled and crushed.
Appellant's main contention arises at this point. His counsel contend that if tbe braking appliances bad been in ;good order tbe train could and would have been stopped in time to prevent appellant's arm from coming in contact with tbe switch point, and hence it would not have been -crushed and mangled. That tbe injury to appellant's arm was not caused until be reached tbe switch point is a matter of inference, if not conjecture, merely. Tbe evidence that the braking appliances were defective at tbe time of tbe accident is inferential, rather than direct. Tbe facts upon which appellant relies, from which it could be inferred that -.the appliances were in a defective condition, are substantially :as follows: ^Respondent kept a book at tbe roundhouse or repair shops at Bock Springs in which its engineers, including tbe engineer of engine No. 1674, which was tbe engine in question, might enter their requests for repairs in case the engines required such. The entries would be made, if made at all, by the engineers when they returned their engines to the round-house at Rock Springs. The book was not produced at the trial for the alleged reason that it could not be found; but the appellant testified that he made a personal inspection of the same some time after the accident, and that he copied therefrom entries which are-as follows: "8-29-1908. Engine 1674. Pack air valves all around. Fix tank brakes. Fix triple on engine so brakes will release." "Aug. 30. Put triple valve on engine 1674. Fix the tank brakes." "Aug. 31st. Put triple valve on engine. Fix tank brakes." "Tighten both steam head and air pump." ' Similar entries made on the first, second, and third days of September were offered in evidence, but were excluded by the court. The last entry admitted in evidence was not made until after the accident. We shall assume that the engineer made the foregoing entries. In connection with the foregoing, the conductor and Hamilton, the brakeman, who were called as witnesses for appellant, testified that the engineer after he had stopped the train, and when he was informed that appellant was under it and was injured, said: "I gave it all to her," meaning that he had applied all the air to the braking appliances to stop the train when the signal was given by Hamilton, and could not stop it sooner.
Appellant also produced a witness as an expert who testified that a train equipped as the train in question was, if the braking appliances were in good order and the train was moving at from three to five miles an. hour, could and should have been stopped in from ten to twelve feet. He at first said in from three to four feet, but corrected this statement when his attention was directed to the real situation and condition the train was in. Appellant's witnesses, including the conductor and brakeman on the train in question, however, stated that they had started with the engine and train from Rock Springs on the morning of the accident ; that they did some switching before the accident, and that the braking appliances had worked all right; that they re ¡turned to Eock Springs immediately after the accident, to take appellant to the hospital, and thereafter went to Thayer Junction and from there to Superior, and from there made either one or two trips with a train of loaded coal cars to Thayer Junction; that there is a steep grade rising from Thayer Junction to Superior, which makes it absolutely necessary that all trains operated on that line be equipped with first-class braking appliances, which at all times have to be kept in good repair, and if not so kept the trains cannot be successfully operated. They all admitted that no repairs were made after the accident on the day it occurred, and that there was no trouble with the air brakes on that day, and that the train was controlled by the brakes as usual, and that they neither discovered nor knew of anything wrong with the engine or train or braking appliances, except that the train did not stop sooner at Thayer Junction in the morning when appellant fell off the pilot.
Upon the other hand, the engineer, fireman, and other witnesses, who appeared on behalf of respondent, in substance testified that the book entries were accounted for by reason of the fact that it was a daily occurrence that something about the engine or apliances required some minor repairs; that the triple valve had no effect whatever on the braking capacity of the air brakes, but was used only in releasing the drive-wheel brakes after using the same; that the air valve often required repacking; that the packing was to reduce the leakage from the pump; that if the pump leaked it would not necessarily affect the capacity of the air brakes, because the air pump merely pumped the air that was used in operating the air brakes into a tank of receiver, from whence the air was taken when the brakes were used, and, unless the leakage of the air pump was so great as to prevent the air tank from being filled to what is termed train pressure, the leakage of the pump had no effect on the effectiveness of the air brakes. It was also made to appear that engine No. 1674 is what is termed a compound engine, and that an engine of that type cannot be stopped in as short a distance as a single engine can be; that when Brakeman Hamilton gave Ms first signal the engineer applied only the ordinary air service; that immediately thereafter, when he understood Hamilton's signal as a violent stop signal, the engineer applied the emergency service of the air, but applied the latter without first releasing the ordinary service, and in doing so the emergency service did not immediately take full effect. Appellant's expert witness also admitted that under the circumstances the emergency appliances might not immediately take effect; but he insisted that the train, nevertheless, should have been stopped before the switch point was reached.
It was also shown that engine No. 1674 was put on the run in the preceding June; that it was one of the best equipped engines, so far as the air pump and the braking appliances were concerned, and that it was in first-class condition; that the branch line on which it was operated required that the air pressure be very severe, and for that reason the brakes on the combination coach were cut out of service long before and at the time of the accident; that this was done because the severe pressure on the brakes owing to the light weight of the coach would lock the wheels on the coach and thus cause them to slide on the rails; that under such conditions the brakes are practically of no effect in stopping a train. This fact was also conceded by appellant's expert. It was also shown that by reason of the wearing of the brake shoes there was more slack on the tank brakes than there should have been, and hence the order given to "fix tank brakes" before referred to. This slack, however, was shown to have affected some of the wheels only, and, while it was contended by appellant's witnesses that this would reduce the effectiveness of the brakes, respondent's witnesses claimed that it did not have an appreciable effect. In this connection we remark that, in viewi that all sides conceded that on the day of the accident, and before and after it occurred, the brakes were effective and responded' to every requirement in operating the train as usual over the steep grade on the branch line, the jury were fully justified in assuming that the braking appliances at tbe time of tbe accident were not defective.
Tbe respondent also introduced in evidence a rule, a copy of wbicb appellant admits was in bis possession during tbe time be was in respondent's employ, tbe material portion of wbicb reads as follows: "Employees . . . are warned not to get on tbe front or rear of an engine or tbe end of a car as it approaches them, or to go between cars in motion to uncouple, open, close, or arrange knuckles or couplers, or follow other dangerous practices." Appellant admitted that there was no necessity for him to ride on tbe pilot; that he bad no duty to perform at tbe switch east of tbe one be bad turned to let the train pass until tbe train bad entirely passed beyond tbe switch; that in order to discharge this duty tbe safe and proper course for him to pursue was either to wait until tbe train bad passed him, and then walk over to tbe switch, wbicb was less than one hundred and fifty feet distant, or to wait for tbe coach to pass him and board tbe rear end of tbe same, and then drop off at tbe switch when tbe coach passed it. This method be admitted would have been both practical and safe. Indeed, be admitted 'in bis testimony that tbe method pursued by him was not tbe proper one. In answer to certain questions propounded to him on cross-examination, be said: "It is customary to get off on tbe opposite side (of the train), but I got off on that side, or was to get off on that side, but I didn't. Q. You departed from that custom and were attempting to get over on tbe side that tbe switch was on when you fell? A. Yes, sir."
Appellant further stated that during tbe week be worked on tbe branch line be bad crossed over from one side to tbe other on tbe pilot. While there is some other evidence in tbe record both for and against tbe contentions of both parties, yet tbe foregoing statement substantially covers tbe controlling facts upon wbicb tbe court submitted all of tbe issues presented by tbe complaint and answer to wbicb we have referred to tbe jury. No exceptions were taken by either party in this regard. Tbe court also instructed tbe jury upon all of tbe issues; tbe instructions consisting of twenty-tbree in number. Tbe jury found tbe issues in favor of respondent; bence this appeal.
Among other instructions, tbe court gave a request asked by tbe appellant, with tbe modification hereafter noted. Tbe instruction requested, including tbe modification, is as follows: "If you believe from the evidence that tbe braking apparatus was defective or out of order, as claimed by tbe plaintiff, and that after tbe plaintiff fell from tbe pilot, tbe engineer received a stop signal, and that be thereupon endeavored to obey it, and that he'was unable -to stop tbe train in time to prevent injury to plaintiff's arm because tbe braking apparatus was defective or out of repair, as alleged, and you also believe that if tbe braking apparatus bad been in proper condition tbe engineer would have been able to stop, and would have stopped, in time to avert tbe injury to tbe plaintiff's arm, then tbe condition of tbe braking apparatus was tbe proximate cause of plaintiff's injury; and if you find from tbe evidence that such condition of tbe braking apparatus was due to negligence upon tbe part of tbe defendant, tbe plaintiff, if shown, to have teen himself in the exercise of due care, is entitled to a verdict."
Tbe modification consisted of the italicized words, to which tbe appellant excepted and now insists that tbe court erred in modifying tbe request, as .aforesaid, to bis prejudice. In this regard it is strenuously argued that in tbe absence of tbe modification of tbe instruction tbe jury were justified in finding, and might have found, for tbe appellant, instead of for tbe respondent. Tbe foregoing argument is based on tbe contention that by tbe instruction tbe case was intended to be and was submitted to tbe jury on what is usually denominated the last clear chance doctrine. Counsel contend that since this doctrine is applicable to cases where tbe plaintiff is in law guilty of contributory negligence, and where tbe defendant has tbe opportunity to avoid, not only tbe prior negligence of tbe plaintiff, but also has a clear opportunity to avert tbe injury after discovering or knowing of plaintiff's peril, therefore the plaintiff's negligence is fully spent, and the whole case rests on the defendant's negligence. It is therefore contended that by the modification appellant was deprived of this rule of law, and hence the italicized portion of the instruction is erroneous. In this connection appellant's counsel contend that under the facts and circumstances of this case the jury were justified in finding that respondent did not discharge its legal duty in providing adequate and proper braking appliances, and that it had disregarded its duty in suffering them to be defective and out of repair at the time of the accident, by reason of which the train could not be stopped in time to prevent the serious injuries to appellant's arm. Counsel contend that the modification of the instruction "is erroneous upon two grounds: First, . he (appellant) was not under obligation to show that he was careful, but the burden was on the defendant to show the contrary; and, secondly, . . . the question of his care in riding on the pilot was wholly immaterial, if the jury found the facts as put in the instruction. The instruction of the court deprived plaintiff altogether of the doctrine of 'spent negligence,' as we find it laid down in the Teakle Case, or 'last clear chance doctrine,' as it is generally called."
The contention, it seems to us, is plausible, rather than sound. If it were conceded that the court committed technical error in modifying the instruction, yet, in view of all the facts and circumstances of this case, we are clearly of the opinion that the error, if any, was not prejudicial. Counsel seem to overlook the fact that under the undisputed facts of this case, and under the law in force in the state of Wyoming, where the accident occurred, the appellant and the engineer and fireman were fellow servants; that the court, without objection, instructed the jury and told them that "the defendant would not be liable to the plaintiff for any injury sustained by him as the result of the negligence of any one or more of his fellow servants." There was ample evidence from which the jury were justified in finding that at least the engineer was negligent in not observing Hamilton's first danger signal, and in not immedi ately making an emergency application of the air to tbe brakes, and that tbis and nothing else was the proximate cause of the injury to appellant.
The testimony of the engineer and fireman on this point, as found in the bill of exceptions, is to the effect that they interpreted Hamilton's first signal as an ordinary stop signal merely, and for that reason, the engineer says, he merely made a service application of the air. The record on this point discloses that the engineer was questioned with respect to what he did after observing Hamilton's violent stop signal. Referring to what the engineer said, the record reads as follows: "I looked over the switch on the west-bound main (line) and stopped just a little ways from the switch; Mr. Bunker (appellant) threw the switch, gave me the signal to come ahead; I proceeded. The next thing I knew Mr. Hamilton, who was up and threw the switch at the end of the yard, gave me a stop sign — came over and gave me the usual stop sign, like that (indicating). I took that for a usual sign; I didn't apply my air, my emergency, because I didn't think it was necessary. Q. Did you apply any air? A. Yes, sir. Q. About how much? A. I made the service application, a reduction of about 10 pounds pressure. Q. Then what did you do ? A. The engine was moving on all the time until Mr. Hamilton — he turned around and started towards me, and gave me a violent stop signal as hard as he could throw his arms. Then I applied the air in emergency. Q. Did the engine stop? A. The engine stopped. At the same time as Mr. Hamilton gave me the violent stop signal the fireman also gave me a violent stop signal, and I applied the air in emergency. . . . Q. At that time, or after you got this violent stop signal, did your engine come to a standstill ? A. Yes, sir. Q. About at what point ? A. I should judge — I didn't go very far — - not over ten or fifteen feet. Maybe not so far."
In fixing the place where the engine stopped, the engineer agrees with all of the other witnesses. This testimony of the engineer is not disputed by any one, except in one particular, and that is that Hamilton's first signal was a violent stop signal. Tbe statement that tbe engine was stopped witbin a short distance after tbe engineer made tbe emergency application of tbe air is not questioned by any one. Tbe only matter which, at first blush, seems in conflict with it is tbe statement that tbe conductor says tbe engineer made, wbicb bave already quoted, "I gave it all to her," meaning that be bad applied tbe full air capacity to tbe engine wben Hamilton first signaled. Assuming that tbe engineer made tbis statement, it in no way conflicts with bis statement tbat, as soon as be interpreted Hr. Hamilton's signal as a violent stop signal, be did make tbe emergency application and stopped tbe train, just as be said be did. No doubt 'tbe train moved along after Hamilton's first signal and until be gave bis second signal, and thus tbe train bad in fact passed beyond tbe point of tbe switch, just as tbe witnesses all testified it did.
Tbe jury were, however, justified in finding tbat tbe forward movement of tbe train after Hamilton's first signal was because tbe engineer only made an application of ten pounds pressure, and as soon as be did make tbe emergency application tbe train came to a stop, just as tbe engineer said it did. Indeed, tbis conclusion is reinforced by tbe testimony of both tbe conductor and Hamilton, who were witnesses for tbe appellant, by their statements tbat tbe braking appliances fulfilled every requirement on tbe day of tbe accident, both before and after it occurred. These witnesses admitted (and all of tbe evidence is to tbe effect) tbat these requirements were very severe, in tbat tbe braking appliances were required to and did control at last one, and probably two, train loads of coal tbat were transported down a steep grade of about three per cent, from tbe coal mines at Superior to Thayer Junction. If, therefore, tbe air and braking appliances were sufficient to control tbe train under such circumstances while being taken down a steep grade; — and all of appellant's witnesses admitted tbat they were sufficient for tbat purpose — bow could a jury of fair-minded'buen bave found tbat tbe air or braking appliances were insufficient to control the train upon a level track, and when moving at a moderate rate of speed in the yards at Thayer Junction?
So long as the evidence offered by appellant stood alone, there were some facts from which it might have been inferred that the air and braking appliances might, in some respects, have been deficient, but when these inferences were met by the positive and undisputed evidence, which the jury had no legal right to ignore, there was practically no' evidence upon which to base a finding to that effect. The only way open, therefore, for the jury was to find that the default for not stopping the train sooner was that of the engineer, of which appellant cannot and did not complain.
It may also be said that the condition which the court introduced into the instruction is sometimes found in instructions relating to the doctrine of last dear chance. In giving an instruction embodying this doctrine, the trial judge, in the case of Louisville, etc., Ry. v. Hurt, 101 Ala. 41, 13 South. 133, imposes the condition in the following words: "Provided plaintiff did all he could to prevent the accident and save himself from harm-after he became aware of his peril." It is true that in the foregoing quotation the court referred to plaintiff's conduct "after he became aware of his peril," while in the instruction' criticised by counsel in this case no such express limitation is made. It is for this reason that counsel insist that the jury may have assumed that the court referred to appellant's prior and spent negligence. We are of the opinion that in view of the whole charge the jury were not misled by what the court said, but understood the cautionary phrase to refer to appellant's conduct after he fell from the pilot, and not to his conduct in going thereon. True, the caution was wholly unnecessary and uncalled for under the circumstances, and thus, technically, erroneous; but, unless appellant was prejudiced in a substantial right, the judgment cannot be reversed for the alleged error in the instruction.
Respondent, however, contends that under the evidence the doctrine of the last clear chance did not arise, and that the court did not intend to, and did not, submit that doctrine to tbe jury by tbe instruction complained of. We are constrained to bold, however, that by tbe instruction tbe doctrine was submitted, although this was not done in as clear a statement as it ought to have been. In referring to tbe doctrine or rule of tbe last clear chance, tbe author, in 1 Labatt, Mast, and Serv., section 327, says: "In any case of this description, tbe instructions given should be so worded as to indicate clearly tbe effect of tbe rule."
Tbe respondent further insists that in view of appellant's conduct be cannot avail himself of tbe doctrine, because, under tbe undisputed evidence, it is apparent that respondent violated no duty it owed to appellant. Upon tbe other band, appellant contends that tbe jury were justified in finding that tbe air and braking appliances were defective, or out of repair, and' that if they bad not been in that condition tbe train could have been stopped before appellant sustained tbe sever injury to bis arm. We have already intimated bow we regard tbe evidence with respect to tbe condition of tbe appliances. But, again, assuming that tbe condition of tbe appliances was tbe cause of tbe train not being stopped sooner, yet tbe evidence hardly warranted a finding that tbe defect in tbe appliances, if any, was tbe proximate cause of appellant's injury. In view of all tbe evidence, it is just as likely that appellant's arm was crushed almost immediately after the fall, and tbe engine passed over him, as it is that be was not seriously injured until be was caught in tbe switch. Upon this point tbe jury were fully justified in finding that tbe fact that tbe train was not stopped sooner was not the proximate cause of tbe serious injury to appellant's arm. Indeed, tbe evidence, in our opinion, would not support an affirmative finding that tbe injury to appellant would have been averted if tbe train bad been stopped before it reached tbe switch, and unless this were true appellant cannot complain that tbe train did not stop sooner. But supposing that tbe injury to appellant's arm could have been averted but for tbe alleged condition of the air and braking appli- anees, can be recover in tbis action in view of all tbe evidence ?
It certainly must be conceded tbat appellant's conduct was wholly inexcusable. He not only violated a positive rule of bis master, but, in view' of all tbe facts and circumstances, be was guilty of tbat degree of negli- gence in going upon tbe pilot wbicb would prevent a recovery as a matter of law, unless be may do so under tbe doctrine of tbe last clear cbance. His counsel contend tbat be may recover under tbis doctrine, in view of tbe principles announced in Teakle v. S., P. L. A. & S. L. R. Co., 32 Utah 276, 90 Pac. 403, 10 L. R. A. (N. S.) 486; Little Rock, etc., Co. v. Morrison, 69 Ark. 289, 62 S. W. 1045, and Dortch v. Railroad, 148 N. C. 575, 62 S. E. 616. Tbe last case referred to is not in point, because tbe last clear cbance doctrine was not involved and not submitted to tbe jury in tbat case. Tbe case of Little Rock, etc., Co. v. Morrison, supra, is clearly distinguishable from tbe case at bar, and tbe justice who wrote tbe opinion was careful to distinguish tbat case from one where tbe plaintiff places himself into a position of danger in violation of some positive rule of law.
Tbe Teakle Case referred to, decided by tbis court, is in principle like tbe last case referred to. Tbe deceased, Teakle, bad a right to pass over or on tbe railroad track at tbe point where tbe accident occurred; tbat is, be violated neither a rule of tbe company nor any of its property rights, nor any law, in doing so, and hence was not a wrongdoer. Not being a wrongdoer, it was held in tbat case tbat tbe company owed him tbe duty to exercise ordinary care for bis safety and to tbat end to keep a lookout for him. It was accordingly held tbat it was a question of fact for tbe jury to say whether tbe company bad discharged tbat duty after tbe negligence of tbe deceased was spent, and .after be bad been struck and rendered helpless by tbe moving train. True it was held in tbat ease tbat tbe plaintiff could not recover, unless, it were shown tbat tbe defendant could have avoided tbe serious injury resulting in Teakle's death after be was struck by the train. In other words, while Teakle's own negligence in stepping on the track in front of the moving train prevented a recovery, yet, if the evidence showed that the servants of the company were negligent in not seeing Teakle in time to prevent killing him after he became helpless, then' the company would be responsible for his death. This ruling was, however, based upon the fact, as already indicated, that Teakle had a right to pass along and over the tracks, and that his negligence did not consist in being on the track, but in stepping immediately in front of the moving train. We did not hold in that case that a wrongldoer could have recovered; but Mr. Justice Straup, who wrote the opinion, and who always exercises care and discrimination when stating legal propositions, took pains to show that Teakle was not a trespasser nor wrongdoer when he was struck by the moving train.
In this case however, the appellant did not only violate a positive rule of safety which he was bound to observe, but, independent of any rule, as a matter of law, he was wholly reckless and grossly negligent, in view of the fact that he had absolutely no excuse for attempting to ride on the pilot. To attempt this when there was no emergency was gross negligence, amounting to recklessness on his part, regardless of any rule. Upon this point the cases of St. Louis, K. C. & C. R. Co. v. Conway, 156 Fed. 238, 86 C. C. A. 1; Montgomery v. Railroad, 109 Mo. App. 88-93, 83 S. W. 66, and Chicago & A. Ry. Co. v. Bragonier, 119 Ill. 51, 7 N. E. 688, are strictly in point. See, also, Railroad Co. v. Jones, 95 U. S. 439, 24 L. Ed. 506; Young v. Boston & Me. Ry., 69 N. H. 356, 41 Atl. 268, and note to Bist v. London, etc., R. Co., 8 Am. and Eng. Ann. Cas., p. 16.
In the Conway Case, supra, the brakeman got onto the pilot, just as appellant did in this case, and fell off and was injured, and the court there held that in doing so the brakeman's relation to the company became that of a wrongdoer or trespasser. In other words, the company owed him the duty it would owe to a trespasser, and no higher duty. It is not necessary for ns at this time to define the precise relation that the appellant sustained to re- spondent by reason of Ms conduct in baying violated one of the rules which was promulgated to enhance his safety while in the discharge of his duties. Nor is it necessary to go to the extent that the court went in the Conway Case, supra.
In view of all the facts and circumstances, however, we are constrained to hold that the only duty respondent was under to appellant after he fell from the pilot was to provide appliances that were suitable and in such condition that appellant could, with reasonable safety to himself, have performed the duties1 required of him as a brakeman. See 1 Labatt, Mast. and Serv., section 7. If the appliances provided by respondent at the time of the accident responded to the foregoing requirements, and if they were reasonably safe and sufficient to accomplish what was intended they should in operating the coal train between Nock Springs and Thayer Junction, and between the last station and Superior in hauling coal and in doing the switch- and other regular work required from the train, then we think the respondent had discharged its full duty to appellant and its other employees. The legal-duty imposed upon' the master must necessarily depend upon whether his servant has obeyed the rules promulgated by the master for the protection of the servant. Can the master be held culpably negligent merely because his appliances are not such as will prevent an injury to a servant who has violated one of the master's rules of safety, in a case where the violation of the rules creates an extraordinary emergency which causes such injury ? Has the master not discharged his full duty when he has provided appliances which are sufficient to meet all of the ordinary requirements of his business, and which will protect the servant while in the discharge of his duties, and while he is obeying the master's rules of safety ? Must the master be prepared to meet every emergency that may be created by a servant in violating the master's rules, and unless tbe master is so prepared, and bis appliances are not sucb as will respond to every emergency of sucb a character, is be to be held liable under tbe rule of tbe last clear cbance, because bis appliances are not sufficient to meet sucb an emergency ? We think not.
Thompson, in volume 1, section 232, in bis Commentaries on Negligence, in speaking of tbe doctrine of tbe last clear cbance says: "The doctrine of this textt can have no just application in any case, except when tbe person inflicting tbe injury was under tbe duty of exercising care to discover the exposed situation of the person receiving the injury."
Is it the duty of "the master to maintain a constant watch to ascertain whether any one of bis servants is about to violate or has violated one of tbe master's rules of safety? Must tbe master so conduct bis business as to be able at-all times to protect the servant against all dangers that be may be threatened with by reason of an emergency which was created by tbe servant's conduct in violating one of tbe master's rules ? If sucb be tbe law, then there is no distinction between tbe duty a master owes to a servant who obeys tbe rules, and is injured in tbe ordinary course of tbe master's business, and one who is injured by an accident which was brought about by tbe violation of one of tbe master's rules of safety by the' injured servant. No doubt tbe master must exercise due care to prevent injury to the offending servant after bis perilous situation is discovered, but surely tbe master cannot be held negligent because be is not prepared to obviate every injury that may result from extraordinary emergencies, brought about by tbe violation of tbe master's rules. Counsel have found no case which is directly in point, and, after a most thorough and careful search, we have not been able to find any. Tbe case of Neet v. Burlington, C. R. & N. Ry., 106 Iowa 248, 76 N. W. 677, is nearer in point than any other that could be found by a careful examination of tbe cases referred to in tbe notes found in 55 L. R. A., pages 418 to 456, and in 18 Am. Neg. Rep., pages 161 to 173, in which notes tbe cases bearing upon tbe doctrine of tbe last clear chance are collated.- The Io-wa case is nearest in point, because in that case the injured boy was a wrongdoer in going onto a freight train of the railroad company. The recovery in that case was, however, squarely based upon two points: (1) That the engineer refused to stop the train after being plainly signaled to do so, which was held negligence for which the company was liable, and (2) because the'jury were authorized to find that the injury of the boy was caused because of the negligence of the engineer. If the appellant in this case could complain of the acts of the engineer, he too, might have appealed to the jury on that ground with some confidence at least. What we have said also applies to the other instruction of which complaint is made.
We are thoroughly convinced that in view of the whole record no prejudicial error is made to appear, and that the verdict of the jury is not only right, but that the jury could not, without doing violence to their consciences, have found for the appellant.
The judgment is therefore affirmed, with costs to respondent.
MeCARTY, I., concurs.