Court Opinion

ID: 6615211
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-20 20:21:37.627348+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:58:30.230557
License: Public Domain

Ellison, J.
Plaintiff brings this action for the loss of four steers shipped over defendant’s road from La Plata to St. Louis. The shipment was on a written contract which stipulated for certain exemptions from liability on part of defendant in case of loss, and imposed .certain obligations and duties on plaintiff. After the loss of the steers plaintiff alleges he compromised and .settled his claim against defendant at the sum of two hundred and ninety-nine dollars and sixty-five cents, and shortly thereafter, defendant, having found one of the steers, he received him back at an agreed credit of .sixty dollars on the amount agreed on as a compromise. The action is for the sum so alleged to have been agreed upon, less the sixty dollars, and is based on this compromise agreement and settlement.
At the close of the plaintiff’s evidence, defendant asked an instruction in the nature of a demurrer, which was refused. Judgment was rendered for plaintiff for the amount of his claim, and defendant appeals.
The evidence, as set forth in defendant’s abstract, mot controverted by plaintiff, shows the compromise agreement was made with “Mr. Miner and Mr. Durbin,” who were understood to be “railroad officials,” but “couldn’t tell what position they held.” Thought ■“ Miner was the division superintendent.” It is nowhere .shown that these men had the power or authority to make the agreement sued on. If Miner was the division superintendent, no proof was offered as to his *623duties, “and the courts cannot take judicial notice of them.” Brown v. Ry. Co., 67 Mo. 122; Mayberry v. By. Co., 75 Mo. 492.
Plaintiff’s petition is not properly subject to the criticisms made upon it by defendant, There is but one cause of action stated with the inducement thereto.
For refusing the demurrer to the evidence the judgment is reversed, and the cause is remanded.
All concur.