Case Name: White Water Valley Canal Company v. Ferris
Court: Supreme Court of Indiana
Jurisdiction: Indiana
Decision Date: 1850-11-29
Citations: 2 Ind. 331
Docket Number: 
Parties: White Water Valley Canal Company v. Ferris.
Judges: 
Reporter: Indiana Reports
Volume: 2
Pages: 331–332

Head Matter:
White Water Valley Canal Company v. Ferris.
The general internal improvement act of 1836 is in force so far as it is unchanged by subsequent legislation; and, by that act, claims for damages to lands by the construction of public improvements, must be made in two years after the appropriation of the land or damage done, and not afterwards.
APPEAL from the Franklin Circuit Court.
Friday, November 29..

Opinion:
Perkins, J.
John Ferris made an application to the Franklin Circuit Court for a mandamus to the White Water Valley Canal Company, requiring the appointment, by said company, of an appraiser to assess damages occasioned to said Ferris by the construction of the canal of said company through his land. Notice of the intended application had been-previously given-to the company.. The parties appeared and argued the question, and the Court awarded an alternative mandamus. To that mandamus the company made return, and for cause against the issuing of a peremptory mandamus, showed that more than two years elapsed, after the appropriation of said land, before any application for compensation was made. To this return there was a demurrer, which the Court overruled; and thereupon, awarded a peremptory mandamus.
J. S. Newman, for the appellants.
J. D. Howland, for the appellee.
The general internal improvement act of 1836 is in force so far as it is unchanged by subsequent legislation. R. S. p. 1023, s. 7. By that act claims for damages like the present must be made in two years and not after-wards. R. S. 1838, p. 345, s. 17. We think the canal company had a right to avail itself of this provision.
Per Curiam.
The judgment is reversed with costs. Cause remanded for further proceedings in accordance with this opinion.