Case Name: The Little Miami Railroad Company v. John Stevens
Court: Supreme Court of Ohio
Jurisdiction: Ohio
Decision Date: 1851-12
Citations: 20 Ohio 415
Docket Number: 
Parties: The Little Miami Railroad Company v. John Stevens.
Judges: . Hitchcock, C. J., prepared au opinion expressing his views of this case.
Reporter: Cases decided in the supreme court of ohio : upon the circuit at the special sessions in Columbus
Volume: 20
Pages: 353–385

Head Matter:
The Little Miami Railroad Company v. John Stevens.
Where an employer placed one person in his employ under the direction of another, also in his employ, such employer is liable for injury to the person of him placed in the subordinate situation, by the negligence of his superior.
When a railroad company places the engineer under their employ under the control of the conductor, who directs when the cars are to, start, stop, etc., the company are liable to the engineer for an injury received, occasioned by the negligence of the conductor, whilst they are both engaged in their respective employments.
Error, to the common pleas of Hamilton county.
In the common pleas, Stevens sued the Little Miami Eailroad Company, in an action on the case, to recover damages for injury to his person, occasioned by a collision between two trains of railroad cars belonging to said company.
One of the counts in the declaration is as follows:
“ And also, for that whereas, before the time of the committing of the grievances hereinafter next mentioned, the defendant was possessed of a certain other railway running from Cincinnati, in the county aforesaid, to Springfield, to wit, also in the county aforesaid, and of two certain other locomotives with Mother trains of railway, ears attached to each, the one thereof running from Cincinnati aforesaid to Springfield aforesaid and back again the ensuing day, and the other thereof also running from Springfield aforesaid to Cincinnati aforesaid and back again the ensuing day, which said two last-mentioned locomotives, with their respective trains, were used and accustomed to meet and safely pass each other at Plainville, in the county aforesaid, by the express direction and arrangement of the defendant, to wit, at the county aforesaid. And whereas, the plaintiff, at and before the time of the committing of the grievances hereinafter next mentioned, was employed by the defendant as engineer upon one of the said last-mentioned locomotives, at and for a certain reward agreed upon by the parties in that behalf, and was accustomed to stop the said last-mentioned locomotive at Plainville aforesaid, in the county aforesaid, under the direction and arrangement of the defendant as aforesaid, and there safely to pass the other of the last-mentioned locomotives as aforesaid, to wit, at the county aforesaid. And whereas, by reason of the premises, it became the duty of the defendant, by its agents and servants, to give the plaintiff due and timely notice of any chango in the place of meeting and passage of the two last-mentioned locomotives and their respective trains, to wit, at the county aforesaid. Yet the defendant, by its agents and servants, not regarding its duty as aforesaid, but contriving to injure and aggrieve the plaintiff in this behalf, did, by its agents and servants, heretofore, to wit, on the 12th day of August, in the year eighteen hundred and forty-six, change the place of meeting and passage of the said last-mentioned locomotives, with their trains, from Plainville as aforesaid to Columbia, to wit, also in the county aforesaid, the said change to take effect on the ensuing day, to wit, on the 13th day of August aforesaid, without giving the plaintiff due and timely notice thereof, to wit, at the county aforesaid. Whereby, whilst the plaintiff was proceeding, in the capacity of engineer as aforesaid, on one of the said last-mentioned locomotives, with the train thereto belonging, from Cincinnati as aforesaid, *to Springfield as aforesaid, to wit, on the 13th day of August, in the year eighteen hundred and' forty-six, according to the previous express direction and arrangement of the defendant in that behalf, between Columbia as aforesaid and Plainville as aforesaid, to wit, at the county aforesaid, the other of the said last-mentioned locomotives unavoidably ran against, and came into collision with the said locomotive on which the plaintiff was, in cajjaeity of engineer aforesaid, and violently crushed the same. Whereby the plaintiff then and there was greatly scalded, bruised, lacerated, hurt and wounded, and in consequence thereof became and was sick, sore, lame, and disordered, and so remained,” etc., setting out the injuries at length.
Plea, general use.
At the February term, 1850, of the common pleas, the cause was tried to a jury, who returned a verdict for plaintiff below, and assessed his damages at $3,700.
The defendant moved to set aside the verdict, and for a new trial, because of the rulings of the court, the charge given, and refusal to charge the jury as requested, because of discovery of new testimony, and that a witness under subpena left during trial; and also moved in arrest of judgment, for that the declaration was insufficient; which motions the court overruled, and entered judgment on the verdict.
On the trial a bill of exceptions was taken by defendant below, which was made part of the record, and sets out all the evidence.
This writ of error is prosecuted to reverse said judgment, and the errors assigned present the question as to the correctness of the action of the common pleas.
The bill of exceptions discloses the following state of facts: Stevens was an engineer, employed by the railroad company, to run their engine attached to a locomotive, with a train of cars, prior to and on August 13, 1846. He was in this employ on said day, on the train going up from Cincinnati to Springfield; and a little above the town of Columbia, this ^ascending train came in collision with the descending train; by which collision Stevens was severely injured in a way to affect him for life. The collision took place on the day after the completion of the Little Miami Railroad to Springfield. On that day (August 13th) a change of place for passing the cars (that is, the up and down trains) was to take place in pursuance of a previous arrangement of the company. The trains had been in the habit of passing each other at a place called Plainville, some three miles above Columbia. On that day the cars were to pass at Columbia. Cards had been delivered to all the engineers and conductors except Stevens, giving notice of the change in the time and place of passing. The times and places of passing had been previously governed by similar cards, also furnished the conductors and engineers by the company, in accordance with a custom of the company by which the engineers and conductors are notified of all changes in the times and places of passing.
On the trial it was further proved as follows :
Isaac West, witness for Stevens,
testified as stated in the opinion of Judge Caldwell; also, “that on day of collision the ascending train left Cincinnati between nine and ten o’clock a. m. The cars went on, not very fast; blew the whistle at road-crossings, and passing under bridge; blew half dozen times after left Columbia to bridge; thought something wrong, and went aft on the cars» Running ten or twelve miles an hour until they saw the other train ; trains came in collision quarter of a mile beyond bridge, on a curve; could see each other one. hundred and fifty or two hundred yards apart; no man was started on ahead of the train ; did not hear the whistle or bell of descending train; ascending train had nearly stopped when descending train ran into it; suspected danger from Stevens asking Smith if did not change passing places that day, and frequent blowing of whistle.
Wm. L. Sazen, witness for Stevens:
Was conductor on descending train when collision occurred; was running fifteen miles per hour; was not ringing the bell, nor blowing whistle *when met ascending train ; met in curve, and on right of curve coming down is heavy hill—a gravel bank ; could not see-the other train more than three hundred feet. When the engineer on down train saw the other train he gave signal of alarm by whistle, and they tried to check descending train; proves collision, custom to deliver new cards when time of passing changed, etc.
The conductors have charge of the trains, not the engineers; they give directions when to go on and when to stop. Alexander H. Lewis, freight clerk or agent at the depot at Gincinnati for the company, went up with witness to Springfield on cars, August 12th; returned with witness on 13th, and was at collision. Clement, the superintendent of the road, went to Springfield, August 12th, and was there on morning of 13tb. Conductors control according to the rules on the card; if danger apprehended, they send a man ahead of train one hundred yards, and keep him ahead until out of danger. It is not determined who should send the man ahead, the conductor or engineer; hut the conductor has to keep one hundred yards behind Mm.
If the conductor wants to stop, ho notifies engineer, and it is his duty to stop until conductor directs him to go on. Conductor does not direct to run fast or slow, unless he knows of danger. Not customary for engineer to stop at any unusual place, unless something broken. After the collision, Stevens told witness that ho was running fast; that he had been blowing his whistle on all tho ■curves after leaving Columbia, because he was expecting the train • that he (Stevens) had no new card. The whistle and noise of one train can not be heard by people on another. Stevens gave no reason why he expected to meet the other train.
John W. Reynolds, witness for Stevens :
Is an engineer—was on ascending train when collision occurred. The bell was rung at road-crossings, and not at other places—whistle blown three or four times.
The engineer runs by conductor’s orders, so far as stopping and going on, keeping the time-card in view at the same time. Engineer always has card, and is put there to make his time. *He ■controls the motion as to time in particular places on road. Should not run as fast around'curves as on straight road. If in doubt in going round curve, should send a man ahead, and keep him ahead one hundred to one hundred and fifty yards, and so run until out of danger. Imprudent to run at rate of ten or fifteen miles an hour around a curve, where there is danger of meeting a train. Engineer’s business to look out for train ahead. If there was ■danger of meeting a train, Stevens was running at an imprudent speed. Was under no apprehension of meeting a train, but was under apprehension something was wrong, by frequent blowing of whistle.
Paul Hueston, witness for Stevens.
(See his evidence in the • opinion of Judge Caldwell.)
Perry Little, for company :
Was on ascending train which was running twelve or fifteen miles an hour—run usual speed on curve when came in collision. Will take one hundred yards to stop such a train. Stevens did all he could to stop his train when he saw the other one.
Samuel T. Vanloan, engineer on the descending train:
In starting from a stopping place, if a train is due, and not there, custom to send a man ahead around curves one hundred to one hundred, and fifty yards. If an engineer was in doubt or uncertainty, whether the trains would pass at Columbia or Plainville, it would be his duty to run slow. Was running his train fourteen miles per hour. Saw ascending train four hundred or four hundred and fifty feet before collision—tried to check up.
IV. Morrell, chief clerk and book-keeper for company:
“ The ■company paid wages and expenses of sickness of Stevens after the injury ; last payments made April, 1847.’
On the morning of the collision, Thomas L. Cole, assistant in engineering department, delivered to George Smith, the conductor on the train on which Stevens was engineer, a time-card (one of the new ones). Smith showed it to witness after it was handed to him. Is certain it was that morning that Smith got the card.
The time-cards were in evidence. The caption is: “ Instructions *to conductors and engineers for running trains.” The ■rules are printed on the cards.
By the 10th rule it is declared, that “ in cases of uncertainty as to the occupation of the track, a man must be sent ahead or back, and kept at least one hundred yards distant until the danger is over."
By the 16t]i rule, “ care at all times is earnestly enjoined. Always take the safe side in cases of doubt."
(Signed,) “W. H. Clement, Superintendent."
The defendants below, as the second charge, asked the court to charge the jury, “ that where two or more persons are employed by an individual or company, and in doing the work they are employed to do, one of them, by his negligence and inattention to his duties causes an injury to another, no action can be sustained against the employer, whether he bo an individual or a company.” This charge the court refused.
The sixth instruction asked by defendants in these words was given : “ If the plaintiff, by his negligence, or by reason of his not observing the usual rules and precautions ordinarily used by skillful men in such cases, contributed toward bringing on the collision, he can not recover for any injury he has sustained.”
The eighth charge asks the court to charge that “if the jury believe Stevens was in doubt and uncertainty as to whether the trains ought to pass at Columbia instead of Plainville; and if he expected to meet the down train between Columbia and Plain-ville, it was his duty to run slow, and if it was prudent, and according to the usages of engineers, and required by the printed rules of the company in case of doubt and uncertainty, to send a man ahead of the train, and keep him from one hundred to one hundred and fifty yards ahead of the engine, until the bends and curves in that place had been passed, and all apprehension of danger was over; and the plaintiff neglected to send aman already as required by prudence and the printed rules, and such neglect contributed to bring on the collision, and produce the injury, the plaintiff is not entitled to a verdict.”
*This charge asked by the defendants below, the court refused to give.
On the motion for a new trial, the affidavits of B. W. Davis and W. H. Clement were filed. Davis states that he was on the ascending train at time of collision ; that when Stevens checked the train at Columbia, Smith, conductor, told Stevens to go on ; that he (Smith) had understood that the trains were to change their passing places on that day, and were to pass at Columbia, but he had no authority from Clement. Smith also directed Stevens to blow the whistle while going around the curves. Affiant never communicated these facts to any agent or attorney of the company until after trial.
Clement, superintendent of the company, left Cincinnati two days before the collision ; and before leaving, he directed that the trains should pass at Columbia, instead of Plainville, on that day, and had time-cards prepared accordingly ; that he left with A. H. Lewis, clerk in the freight department, new cards to deliver to Stevens, engineer, and Smith, conductor. Affiant was under subpena as a witness on this trial, and was in attendance, but was suddenly called away during trial, after adjournment of court one day, and its meeting next day, in consequence of sudden rise of waters, making it impossible to again appear at trial.
Charles Pox & French, for plaintiff in error :
It is well settled that the master is not liable for injuries sustained by one workman or servant by the careless or negligent or unskillful act of another workman or servant. Story on Agency, sec. 453 ; 3 Mees. & Welsb. 1 ; 4 Met. 40; 6 Hill, 592; 10 Mees. & Welsb. 115; 9 Mees. & Welsb. 710; 6 Mees. & Welsb. 505. We therefore claim, under these authorities, that the court should have given the second charge to the jury, as asked by the railroad company. 15 Conn. 124; 42 Eng. C. L. 276.
In view of the evidence we claim also that the eighth charge ^should have been given. Stevens was himself in fault. The agent is bound by the general and known and safe mode of doing the business, and any departure from it not required by necessity will be at the peril of the agent, and involve him in full responsibility for any loss occasioned thereby. Story on Agency, sec. 199, 77, 96.
But where there are written instructions given by the principal to the agent, the latter will be compelled to “ adhere faithfully to those instructions in all cases to which they ought properly to be applied.” Story on Agency, sec. 192; 1 Sand’s Sup. Ct. 111, 360.
“If he unnecessarily exceeds his commission or risks the property of his principal, ho thereby renders himself responsible to Ms principal for all losses and damage which are the natural consequences of his act, and it will constitute no defense for him, that he intended the act to be a benefit to the principal. Story, 192, 333. So it is said the law never holds out a premium for any violation of duty.”
Again, it is well settled that whenever it can be shown that a loss has occurred to the principal from any violation of duty on the part of an agent, whether by exceeding his authority by positive misconduct, or mere negligence or omission of the agent, in the proper functions of his agency, or in any other manner, the.agent is liable for all losses so occasioned. Story, sec. 217.
Thus, if a captain deviates from his voyage, he is unquestionably liable to his owners for all losses sustained, directly or indirectly, by such deviation, and admiralty courts will enforce this liability3-. Abbott on Shipping, 167, new. ed. 218; Story on Agency, sec. 219.
George E. Pugh, Peter Zinn, Geo. H. Pendleton, of counsel for the defendant in error,
submitted a printed argument of forty-eight pages, maintaining these propositions:
I. A railroad company is liable to its engineer for any injury *he may sustain by reason of the neglect of another employe to give notice of a change in the place of meeting of two trains.
II. The rule in cases of collision is, that even if the plaintiff was in fault, yet unless he could have avoided the consequences of the defendant’s neglect or misbehavior, by the use of ordinary care, he is entitled to recover.
Wo propose to show, by reason and by authority, that Stevens has no right of action against any other servant of the plaintiff in error, for the damage which he sustained. And we also propose to show, by reason and by authority, that he is entitled to his action against the employer of those negligent and unfaithful servants. McComb v. Akron, 15 Ohio, 477; 1 Bl. Com. 421; Lane v. Cotton, 12 Mod. 472; Middleton v. Fowler, 1 Salk. 282; Boson v. Sandford, 2 Salk. 440; Doe v. Martin, 4 Term, 66; Locke v. Stearns, 1 Mot. 560; Holt’s N. P. Cases, 227, n.; Bruker v. Fro mont, 6 Term, 659; Lynch v. Nurdin, 1 Q. B. 29; Dixon v. Bell, 1 Stark. 228; 1 Hawk. P. C., chap. 13, sec. 8; Ellis v. Turner, 8 Term, 531; 1 Bl. Com. 429-431, n.; Dane’s Abr., ch. 54, art. 5; Cameron v. Reynolds, Cowp. 403; Rhodes v. Cleveland, 10 Ohio, 161; Bird v. Holbrook, 4 Bing. 628; Holt v. Wilkes, 3 B. & Ald. 304; 18 Ohio, 299.
The following authorities were examined and reviewed, to wit: Coggs v. Bernard, 2 Ld. Raym. 916; 1 McMullen, 365; 3 Mees. & Welsh. 1; Rapson v. Cubit, 9 Mees. & Welsb. 710; Quarman v. Burnett, 6 M. & W. 505; 4 Met. 49; 6 Hill’s N. Y. 592; Winter-bottom v. Wright, 10 M. & W. 109; 3 Cush. 270.
A master allows his household servant, who is too ill to help himself, to be put into a damp and unwholesome room, or to have only unhealthy food, and thereby the servant dies; here is only a case of neglect, one of the risks which a servant assumes by his contract of services, we are told. But the common law goes to the “alarming extent” of declaring that this is murder or manslaughter, in the master, according to ^circumstances. Squire’s Case, 1 Russ. on Crimes, 426; Huggins’ Case, 2 Stra. 882; Self’s Case, 1 East’s P. C. 226; Marriott’s Case, 8 C. & P. 425 ; 1 Hale’s P. C. 431.
The following cases were commented on : Hutchinson v. The York, Newcastle and Berwick Railroad Co., 19 Law J.296; Scudder v. Woodbridge, 1 Kelly, 195 ; Eakin v. Thom, 5 Esp. 6; Holt’s N. P. C. 227, n.; 1 Bl. Com. 432.
In the case in 19 L. J. 296, it is said : “ Though we have said that a master is not responsible, generally, to one servant, for any injury caused to him by the negligence of another servant, while acting in one common service, yet this must bo taken with the qualification, that the master shall have taken care not to expose his servants to unreasonable risk. The servant, when he engages to run the risk of his service, including those arising from the negligence of fellow-servants, has a right to understand that the master has taken reasonable care to protect him from risk by associating him only with persons of ordinary skill and care.”
But we claim that this case at bar is within the exception admitted by the very authorities cited against us. The South Carolina court said that a case might arise in which the railroad company would be liable, even to a servant, for employing improper and unfit agents. The Massachusetts court cautions the com mu nity against general inferences, and then states our ease as one not decided. Lord Abinger declared that a master “ was bound to provide for the safety of his servant, in the course of his employment, to the best of his judgment, information, and belief.” It appears from the testimony in this case, that, although a change had been made by the board of directors and the superintendent—■ the latter of whom as fully represented the corporation as the former—in the place and time for the trains to meet and pass, to take effect on the 13th of August, no diligence at all was used to give the engineer a new time-card or any other notification. The testimony of Mr. ^Morrill shows that no attempt even was made to give Stevens a new card.
Now, in each of the railroad cases (Massachusetts and South Carolina) cited by the present plaintiff in error, it was proven that the company had selected a prudent, experienced, and careful servant to perform the duty, through neglect of which the mischief occurred. And it is upon this ground chiefly, that the plaintiffs in those cases were not permitted to recover.
Where have we such evidence ? There is no proof that Clement, or Lewis, or Cole, or Smith, was either trusty or competent. If what Morrill says bo true, in any degree, Smith was not trustworthy at all. The testimony in the case leaves it doubtful whether tho principal officer himself, the superintendent, was prudent, careful, or even competent. And, clearly, Mr. Lewis was incompetent and unfit to be trusted : ho went to the celebration, at Springfield, with the new cards in his pockets; and thus idly exposed both Smith, and Stevens to imminent danger. Was he a proper man to bo selected by tho superintendent for the duty of delivering the cards? We leave tho court to answer.
As to Stevens being himself in fault, the true rule is, that, although the plaintiff was also negligent, yet unless he might have avoided the consequences of the defendant’s negligence by the exercise of ordinary care, he may recover. Bridge v. The Grand Junction Railway Co., 3 M. & W. 244; Thorogood v. Bryan, 18 Law Jour. 336; Davies v. Mann, 10 M. & W. 546. The defendant must take such precautions as will not compel the plaintiff, or any other person, to deal with remote probabilities in order to save life or limb.
D. T. Wright, on same side:
We claim that the master is responsible for acts of neglect or carelessness in his servant, while in his employ, upon the maxim,
“ Qyi facit per aliurn facit perse."
*The motion in arrest of judgment claims an exception to this general rule, to wit: that the master is not liable to one servant for injury arising from the carelessness of another, both being in the common employ.
Authority is not needed in support of the general proposition above laid down; it is for the plaintiff in error to establish the exception.
The law has long been well settled, that the master is liable for the injuries done by his servant. When, therefore, the parties contracted, they contracted with a view to that law, and with the understanding and knowledge that a master is so liable. 2 Bl. Com. 443; 2 Kent’s Com. 450; 18 Ohio, 229; 15 Ohio, 474; 10 Ohio, 159; 4 Ohio, 500.
One great reason for the recovery in this case, is, that if John Stevens can not recover against the company, he is remediless; and it is the favorite maxim of the common law, that there is no wrong without a remedy. He can not recover against the wrongdoer, for that wrong-doer is responsible only to the master. Story on Agency, sec. 308; Lane v. Cotton, 12 Mod. 488; 1 Black. Com. 431, n. 26; Story on Bailments, see. 404.
This and the preceding argument reviewed the authorities cited for plaintiff in error very elaborately and with great ability, maintaining that the case at bar did not come within the principle of those authorities, and that, so far as applicable to this ease, they should not be adopted as law.
Charles Fox, in reply :
The court will perceive that the ease of Stevens, as set forth in the declaration, is one founded upon the alleged negligence of the company. The only evidence of negligence offered in the court below, is the omission on the part of one of the men employed by the railroad company, to give notice of the change as to the place of passing trains. It is not pretended that there was any other negligence, nor was there *a-particle of evidence offered tending to show negligence on the part of the company; and whether a charge of negligence against the principal or employer is proved by evidence tending to show that another person in the employ of the same principal, is to be taken as the negligence of the company, so as to subject the latter for an injury sustained, is the great question to be settled. I call it a great question, because it involves very important results or consequences to the whole community. The principle at issue not only embraces railroad companies and their employes, but affects all the transactions of life in which agents are employed.
The case is admitted to be a new one in this state, and until within some ten or fifteen years, I am not aware that the question has been agitated in other states or countries. But if any one question can be regarded as settled by well-considered modern authorities, this question is settled against the claim sot up by Stevens. 3 Cush. 270: 6 Barb. 240; Bush v. Steinman, 1 Bos. & Pul. 404, is overruled by the English courts. See West. Law Jour., January, 1852.
In refusing the eighth charge, we think the court substantially establish this proposition: that no matter what rules the board of directors establish for the safety of life and property, still the agent may or may not observe them as he pleases ; they are not binding upon the servant, and if he violates them, as he did in this case, by not running slow, and by not sending a man ahead of the train from one hundred to one hundred and fifty yards, and keeping him that ■distance ahead, and he has brought an injury on himself by the violation of the directions of his employer, still he can recover. This is the effect of refusing to give the charge as asked.
Here again the defendant’s counsel claim a protection under the plea that the conductor regulates the time of running. But this is not true in point of fact. The time of arriving at and departing from any particular point is fixed by the superintendent, with the approbation of the board of directors. This time is fixed on what is called the time-card, and it is in fact *more particularly compulsory upon the engineer than on any other officer of the company. He keeps the time by the time-piece on his own car, and he is the only person who can so conduct the engine as to make it run fast or slow. The car conductor has no more control over the engine than any of the passengers. If there is any •one officer superior to another as to the speed of running, it is the engineer; and he hás men about him who are kept for the purpose of supplying fuel and water to the engine, and in case of any doubt and uncertainty about meeting another car, they, or one of them, is to be sent ahead—not only to be sent ahead, but he is to be kept from one hundred to one hundred and fifty yards ahead until the uncertainty is removed. Now, how can this be done unless the engineer stops his engine in part—unless he runs it so slow that an active man can keep ahead of the engine?
See this case reported in 1 West. Law Journal, 1849, 1850, p. 369.

Opinion:
Caldwell, J.
Stevens was the engineer on one of the trains of cars of the Little Miami Railroad Company. The upward and downward trains of cars had, previous to August 13, 1846, passed each other at Plainville, about nine miles from Cincinnati. A change of the place of passing had been determined on, namely, that the cars should pass at Columbia, instead of Plainville, the two places being about three miles apart. This change was to take place on August 13,1846, the day on which the collision occurred. It is the universal custom of the company, when a change of this kind takes place, to give the engineers a printed card, setting forth the times of starting, places where the cars are to pass, time of running, etc., containing the change that has been made. Oa the day on which the collision took place, the plaintiff, Stevens, was the engineer on the upward train from Cincinnati to Springfield, and George Smith was the conductor. On the route, the conductor, according to the rules of the company, is the commanding officer, so far as determining when the cars shall start and stop, etc. The upward train came in collision with the downward train, about seven miles from Cincinnati, ^between Columbia and Plainville, and Stevens was very much injured by scalding; his recovery was doubtful for some time; he was confined for months, and has been injured for life. The engineer and conductor of the downward train had received their cards, stating the change, and they were running in accordance with it, expecting to pass the upward train at Columbia. There is no evidence that Stevens had received a card stating the change; indeed, it is clearly inferable, from the evidence, that he had not. Paul Hues-ton, who was the baggage-master on the train, states, that, at the time of the collision, he had heard nothing about the change; he-also states, that, at the time the collision took place, A. H. Lewis, who was an officer of tho company (in what capacity does not appear), took out of his pocket two cards, and handed them to him, and told him to give one of them to Stevens, the engineer, and the other to Smith, the conductor. N. Morrill, the chief clerk, testifies, that, on the morning of the day on which the collision took place, Thomas L. Cole, an assistant in the engineering de partment, handed to Smith, the conductor, a time-card, and that Smith showed it to him, witness, after he had received it; he says he knows of no card being delivered to Stevens. Isaac West states, that, when the cars reached Columbia, Stevens stopped; that Smith, the conductor, went forward through the cars and asked him why he stopped; that Stevens inquired of him whether the change did not take place that day, and the cars pass there; that Smith replied that the change did not take place on that day, but named a subsequent day on which it was to take place ; Smith then told Stevens to go on, and the cars immediately proceeded.
Other witnesses speak of the stoppage of the cars at Columbia, and also of seeing Smith in the attitude of conversation with Stevens, but they did not hear what, if anything, was said. One witness states that he saw Smith give the motion of the hand to Stevens to proceed.
The cause was submitted to the jury, who found a verdict for the plaintiff. The defendant moved for a new trial, and *also an arrest of judgment, which motions were overruled, and judgment entered on the verdict. The defendant took a bill of exceptions, in which the evidence is set forth, as well as a number of charges, which were asked to be given by the court to the jury by the defendant, which were refused by the court.
The main question arises on the refusal of the court to charge on a single point, and on the charge affirmatively given on the same point; and although this question is presented indifferent forms by the charges asked, yet, we think it is fully presented by the second charge asked and refused, which reads as follows: "That where two or more persons are employed by one individual or company, and in doing the work they are employed to do, one of them, by his negligence and inattention to his duties, causes an injury to the other, no action can be sustained against the employer, whether he be an individual or a company."
The proposition here stated, and contended for on the part of the company, is, that whilst it is admitted that the company would be liable to the fullest extent for an injury done to a person having no connection with the company, by the negligence of one of their agents, yet that Smith and Stevens, both being in the employ of the company, the company would not be liable for an injury done to Stevens, through the negligence of Smith and the other agents of the company.
It is a general rule that a person in the management of his business, whether he does it himself, or acts through agents, must so conduct that business as not to interfere with the rights of, or produce injury to others. This devolves on the party care and prudence in the management of his business, and renders him. civilly responsible for any injury that may result to others from the want of such care and prudence, whether the injury may be done under his own immediate supervision, or under the control of agents. This doctrine is founded in reason. What can be more reasonable than that he who puts any power in motion for his own benefit, which, from its nature, may be destructive to the property and life of ^others, if not carefully managed, should be accountable for such injury as may be caused by the careless management of such power ? An injury has been done; it has fallen on a party who is guilty of no wrong, no carelessness ; it has been done by a force put in motion by a party who has caused the injury by his careless management. On whom shall the loss fall ? On the innocent person who had no control or management of the thing that produced it ? Or shall it not rather fall on the person who put the power in motion, for whose benefit it moves, who is in duty bound to provide for its proper management, who selects his agents, controls their movements, and who gives them their authority to act?
Indeed, the rule is not only a reasonable one, that the employer should makegood the injuries thus done by the carelessness of his agents; but it is necessary as a preventive of mischief, and a protection to community, that it should be strictly adhered to. The rule is founded on the principles of justice between man and man, and abstractly considered, is of universal application. There must be some good reason for taking any case without its application.
It is said, however, that when a party contracts to perform services, he takes into account the dangers and perils incident to the employment, and receives wages accordingly. Take this for granted; and we think it falls far short of sustaining the main proposition. If the party does contract in reference to the perils incident to the business, he will only be presumed to contract in reference to such as necessarily attend it when conducted with ordinary care and prudence. So far as an implied contract, in reference to the business, will be presumed, it will be on the hypothesis that the business is to be properly managed. He can not be presumed to have contracted in reference to injuries inflicted on him by negligence—by wrongful acts. An express stipulation would at least be necessary to make it a part of the contract. The employer has paid him no money for the right to break his legs, or, as in this case, to empty on him the contents of a boiler of scalding water. It *was not the expectation, when the company hired Stevens, that the two trains should run by different cards and thus come in collision.
When a man employs another to do work for him, each incur their obligations. The person hired is bound to perform the labor according to the agreement, and the employer is bound to pay;, besides that, neither party has parted with any of his rights. The employer has no more control over the person he has employed, outside of the service to be rendered, than he has over the person of any' other individual; and .is equally accountable for an Injury to it.
In this case the evidence leads the mind irresistibly to the conclusion that Stevens had not received a card, or any certain information that the change was to take place on the day of the collision. The effects of a collision are so dangerous, that it was certainly the duty of the company to furnish him with that information ; without such information he, as a matter of course, would run by the card that he had formerly been running by, which would placo the trains in danger of a collision. It would appear from the evidence that he had heard something of it, but ho was told by Smith, the conductor, that the change was not to take place on that day, and to proceed. Ho obeyed, and suffered the injury in consequence.
It is said that Stevens was guilty of negligence himself, in not stopping at Columbia. And further, that he was negligent in running as fast as he did, and not keeping a man on ahead to give notice of the approach of a train, he, Stevens, having reason, as is alleged, to believe that they were in danger of meeting the other train. And several charges were asked as to what would constitute negligence on his part; some of these charges the court overruled, and which ruling of the court is assigned for error.
When we take into account the fact that Stevens had not received the ordinary notice of the change, and the fact that he was told that the change did not take place until a subsequent day, by the person who had the control of the cars, and *the right to give him his orders as to running and stopping, we do not think that there was evidence showing negligence on his part; and that charge, from the state of evidence, was immaterial. Stevens had engaged to labor for the company in a subordinate capacity; he has received the injury from the negligence of those placed over him by the company, as the jury have found, and we do not see why the company aro not liable to him for the amount of the damage he has sustained.
It is contended, however, on the part of the company, that public policy forbids the right of a party to bring suit against his employer for an injury by another in the same employ, because it is supposed that it will lead to carelessness on the part of those employed, when they know that they can recover for any damage that they may receive. In answer to this, it may be remarked that it is only where the person has been careful himself, that any right of action accrues in any case. Besides, we do not think it likely that j>ersons would be careless of their lives and persons or property, merely because they might have a right of action to recover for what damage they might prove they had sustained. If men are influenced by such remote considerations to be careless of what they are likely to be most careful about, it has never come under our observation. We think the policy is clearly on the other side. It is a matter of universal observation, that in any extensive business, where many persons are employed, the care and prudence of the employer is the surest guaranty against mismanagement of any kind. The employer would, we think, be mud) more likely to be careless of the persons of those in his employ, since his own safety is not endangered by any accident, when he would understand that he was not pecuniarily liable for the careless conduct of his agents. Indeed, we think that those who have others in their employ are under peculiar obligations to them to provide for their safety and comfort, and we think they should at least bo held legally responsible to them as much as to a stranger.
*We could easily suppose a case where two persons employed by the same individual, and standing on a perfect equality —where the business was managed as much by one as the other— •where they would stand on the same footing as men in the community generally do—in which the employer would not be liable for an injury done to one by the negligence of the other. But we regard this case as standing on entirely a different footing.
Among other cases, we have been referred to those of Farrell v. The Boston and Worcester Railroad Corporation, 4 Met. 49, and Murray v. South Carolina Railroad Company. The case in 4 Met-calf denies the right of recovering principally on two grounds, namely, that the person employed contracts with reference to the perils of the employment; and that he receives a compensation, in the way of wages, for such perils, and therefore he can not recover ; and that it would be contrary to public policy to permit a recovery, as the tendency would be to produce carelessness on the part of persons thus employed. The decision in 1 McMullen appears to be based principally on the first of these two propositions. We have noticed both of these propositions in our previous remarks. In both cases, much stress is laid upon the fact that no precedent, of a recovery under such circumstances, is to bo found. It is to be noticed, that in both of these cases the facts differ in some particulars from the present; we must admit, however, that the reasoning in those cases would cover the one now before us. So far as those cases decide that a recovery can not be had in a case like the one now before the court, we think they are contrary to the general principles of law and justice, and we can not follow them as precedents. The court, then, are of the opinion that there was no error in the charge of the court, and that the evidence warranted d recovery on the part of Stevens.
The judgment will therefore be affirmed.
. Hitchcock, C. J., prepared au opinion expressing his views of this case.
^Spalding, J., dissented, and delivered his opi-
nion.
The opinions aforesaid follow :