Case Name: James, Appellant, vs. Christy, et al., Respondents
Court: Supreme Court of Missouri
Jurisdiction: Missouri
Decision Date: 1853-03
Citations: 18 Mo. 162
Docket Number: 
Parties: James, Appellant, vs. Christy, et al., Respondents.
Judges: 
Reporter: Missouri Reports
Volume: 18
Pages: 162–164

Head Matter:
James, Appellant, vs. Christy, et al., Respondents.
1. An action by a parent for damages for the loss of his. son, who was killed hy the negligence of the defendant, a common carrier, does not abate by the death of the plaintiif, hut survives to his personal representatives; hut the actual damages from the loss of the son’s services alone survive.
•Appeal from St. Louis Court of Common Pleas.
Todd & Krum, for appellant.
1. An action for the causes set forth in the plaintiff’s petition can be maintained. 20 Wend. 210. 3 Comstock, 489. 2. If the action, as stated in the plaintiff’s petition, can be maintained, then it survives to the administrator. The personal representative of the plaintiff can maintain an action for the loss of the services or the plaintiff’s son, caused by the gross carelessness and fault of defendants. This is the test in determining whether a cause of action survives. R. C. 76, art. 2, sec. 25. Acts 1849, art. 3, sec. 9. 4 Howard’s Prac. Rep. (N. Y.) 358. Gould’s PL 268, sec. 95, note 11. 3. But, it is insisted on the other side, that the word rights, used in the twenty-fifth section of article two, concerning administration, must be restricted to a right in tangible property. This construction of the language of that section, it is submitted, is too narrow and not justified either by the context-or spirit of the statute. The language is broad enough to embrace any right, of whatever nature, for a wrong to which an action might be maintained against the wrong doer.
JR. M. Field and E. & B. Bates, for respondents.
This case turns on the twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth sections of the second article of the Revised Code, tit. “ Administration.” The word “ rights,” occurring in that section, is obviously intended to apply to rights of property only, or what is technically termed rights of things, as distinguished from mere personal rights. Such was the construction of this court in the case of Higgins v. Breen, •Administrator of McJVally, where it is said that “this act seems to include, by express enactment, the injuries which were comprehended in the English act of 4 Edward HI., by construction.” 9 Mo. Rep. 497. Numerous authorities might be cited to show that actions like the present abate by the death of the party. Chamberlain v. Wilson, 2 Mo. Rep. 409. 1 Pick. 71. 13 S. & R. 183. 5 Pick. 257. 6 Greenl. 470. Clarke v. McClelland, 9 Barr, 128. Penn. Stat. in Dunlap, p. 589, §26, 27, 28. 4 Hawks, 133. Fair-ley v. Davis, 6 Ala. 375.. Reed v. Hatch, 19 Pick. 47.
The twenty-sixth section of the second article of the administration law excepts from the provisions of the preceding section, actions for “injuries to the person of the intestate.” The action complained of is a relative injury to the person of Rhe intestate, James. 8 Black. Com. 142. 1 Bouvier’s Law Die. 693, tit. “Injuries.”

Opinion:
Scott, Judge,
delivered the opinion of the court.
The plaintiff brought an action against the defendants, as common carriers for hire, being the owners of a steam ferry boat used in crossing the Mississippi river from St. Louis to Illinois. It is alleged that, by reason of the imperfection of the machinery of the boat, which was known to the defendants, and their negligence and carelessness, an explosion occurred which caused the death of a son of the plaintiff whilst he was a passenger on the boat, crossing the river. The son was living with his father, and was fifteen years of age. After the beginning of tbe suit, tbe plaintiff died, and bis administrator, entering bis appearance, on motion, tbe suit was abated. Tbe question is, whether tbe action survived to tbe administrator of tbe deceased. _ •
1. By our law, tbe father has a property in the-services of bis son during bis minority, and whilst be is under bis guardianship. If, by tbe misconduct of another, he is deprived of these services, or the son is disabled from performing them, the law awards him a compensation in damages. Tbe measure of damages, in such eases, is governed by tbe circumstances, which will be weighed by tbe jury. This controversy involves tbe construction of tbe twenty-fifth section of the second article of tbe act concerning executors and administrators. That section formerly underwent a discussion in this court, in tbe case of Higgins v. Breen, 9 Mo. Rep. 497. That case settles tbe principles which will govern this. It was there held, that tbe statute extends to all acts by which personal property is lessened in value. Here, tbe father was entirely deprived of all property in bis son's services. Tbe recovery will be limited to the actual value of tbe services, as they may be ascertained by a jury. Tbe administrator will not be entitled to any re^ numeration for tbe loss of tbe society or comforts afforded b* a child to bis parent. Damages of this character died with tbe parent, and bis estate is entitled to compensation, only so far as it has been lessened by tbe loss of tbe son's services. Tbe father was no longer entitled to those services than during bis life. Had tbe son been alive, on tbe death of bis father, bis services would not have belonged to bis estate, but would have been due to tbe individual who succeeded him in tbe relation of parent, or would have belonged to himself.
Tbe other judges content, tbe judgment will be reversed and tbe cause remanded.