Case Name: JACOB SAILER, Respondent, v. UNITED STATES RAILWAY ADMINISTRATION, W. D. Hines, Director General, and Northern Pacific Railway Company, a Corporation, Appellants
Court: North Dakota Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: North Dakota
Decision Date: 1920-12-31
Citations: 47 N.D. 126
Docket Number: 
Parties: JACOB SAILER, Respondent, v. UNITED STATES RAILWAY ADMINISTRATION, W. D. Hines, Director General, and Northern Pacific Railway Company, a Corporation, Appellants.
Judges: Grace, J. I concur in the result.
Reporter: North Dakota Reports
Volume: 47
Pages: 126–131

Head Matter:
JACOB SAILER, Respondent, v. UNITED STATES RAILWAY ADMINISTRATION, W. D. Hines, Director General, and Northern Pacific Railway Company, a Corporation, Appellants.
(181 N. W. 57.)
Carriers — carrier assuming- care of stock for which shipper was to provide attendant was liable for negligence.
In an action against a carrier lor damages sustained in a live-stock shipment, ivliere there is evidence in the record that milch cows were shipped in good condition, and where, although shipment was made under a live-stock contract which provided for an attendant to accompany the cows, nevertheless there is evidence in the record from which the jury might find that the company became aware that the cows were not attended, and thereupon furnished feed, care, and attention to such cows, it is held, pursuant to the findings of the jury, that the carrier thereupon assumed a duty and was liable for its negligence in the performance thereof.
Note. — On the question of statutory duties of carriers of live stock with reference to care of stock during transportation, see note in 44 L.R.A. 449.
On duty of carrier of live stock as to feeding and watering stock during transportation, see notes in 43 Am. St. Rep. 446, and 63 Am. St. Rep. 554.
Opinion filed December 31, 1920.
Rehearing denied January 18, 1921.
Action in District Court, Mercer County, Lemblce, J., to recover damages upon a live-stock shipment.
Judgment affirmed as to the Director General, and dismissed as to the Railway Company.
Young, Gonmy, <& Young, for appellants.
The court erred in refusing to dismiss the action as to Northern Pacific Railway Company. McGrath v. Northern P. R. Co. (N. D.) 177 N. W. 383.
In computing delay of shipment of cattle, due consideration must be made of the stops for feed, water, and rest. St. Louis, I. M. & S. R. Co. v. Carlisle (Tex. Civ. App.) 78 S. W. 553; Hickey v. Chicago, E. & Q. R. Co. (Mo. App.) 160 S. W. 24.
Por the plaintiff to recover there must be proof of delay. Johnston v. Chicago, B. & Q. R. Co. (Neb.) 97 N. W. 482; Clevex v. Chicago, ,B.&Q. R. Co. (Neb.) 108 N. W. 982.
There must be proof that the delay was negligent. Clark v. St. Joseph & G. I. R. Co. (Mo. App.) 122 S. W. 318; McDowell v. Missouri P. R. Co. (Mo..App.) 152 S. W. 435.
The court must submit, on his own motion, all the issues raised in the trial. Moline Plow Co. v. Gilbert, 3 Dak. 239, 15 N. W. 1; Owen v. Owen, 22 Iowa, 270; Porzen v. Hurd, 20 N. D. 42, 120 N. W. 224: Barton v. Gray, 57 Mich. 622, 24 N. W. 638; Putnam v. Prouty, 24 N. D. 530; Sackett v. Stone (Ga.) 41 S. E. 564; Dikeman v. Arnold (Mich.) 40 N. W. 42; Chicago, R. O. & P. R. Co. v. Buskstaff (Neb.) 91 N. W. 426; Boyd v. St. Louis Transit Co. (Mo.) 83 S. W. 287.
Where there are two theories, the court must submit both. Cerrillos Coal R. Co. v. Deserant (N. M.) 49 Pae. 807; McCarty v. Houston & T. C. R. Co. (Tex.) 54 S. W. 421.
John Moses and Norton & Kelsch, for respondent.

Opinion:
Robinson, J.
On May 16, 1919, plaintiff shipped over the Northern Pacific Railway from South St. Paul to Hazen, North Dakota, thirty-one head of cows in good condition. Five days afterwards, when the animals arrived at Hazen, their condition was terrible to behold. They were nearly starved, many of them were unable to walk or to eat. Six of them died within a few days. Five cows had calves prematurely, of which some died in the car and the others died within a few days. At Hazen a veterinary was called and tried to milk the cows that had calved, but the milk had dried up and turned to putrid matter and the cows had a high fever. The calves had not sucked them and they had not been milked. The value of the animals that survived was greatly reduced, and the jury gave plaintiff' a verdict for damages, $850, with interest from May 21, 1919. Plaintiff paid freight charges, $110.26.
To quote and book the evidence would serve only to waste time and add to the tax burdens. The parties have their copies and strangers have no interest in the matter.
. The counsel does insist that there is no evidence of negligence on the part of the carrier, but there is positive evidence to show the good condition of the animals at the time and place of shipment and showing their pitiful condition on arrival at Hazen. It shows beyond question that the carrier was guilty of very gross negligence and want of care, and even cruelty to the animals. It shows damages in excess of the verdict. The testimony is entirely convincing and the verdict is very moderate. Hence the long string of objections, exceptions, and errors assigned do merit no consideration.
In this ease there was no express contract between the plaintiff and the Director General. In the shipping bill the carrier named is the Northern Pacific Railway Company, not the Director General, who had taken control of the railway. Hence the judgment must be corrected by striking out the name of the Northern Pacific Railway Company, both in the title of the action and in the body of the judgment where-over the same occurs. There will be no judgment either against the Northern Pacific Railway Company or in its favor, and as thus corrected, the judgment is affirmed, with costs in favor of the plaintiff.
Corrected and affirmed.
Grace, J. I concur in the result.