Court Opinion

ID: 7966278
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-09-09 00:50:52.571432+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:34:39.114046
License: Public Domain

Vanderburgh, J.
The plaintiff purchased a ticket at Wells for Winnebago City, — towns on the line of the defendant’s railway,— took passage on a freight train, entered the caboose in the evening, fell asleep, and was asleep when the train arrived at Winnebago City. He did not wake up in time to get off while the train was stopping at the latter place; but, just as it was leaving, the conductor came into the caboose, and, according to the plaintiff’s testimony, awakened him, asking: “Where are you going? Answer. Winnebago City.” He then said: “You want to get off, and get off quick.” “He said that two or three times.” The plaintiff also testifies that he conducted him to the platform, “urged” him, and “seemed to be in a hurry;” that the night was very dark; that he knew the train was moving, but, he thought, very slow; and that he'had not been notified that it had passed Winnebago City. The witness says, also, he cannot remember whether the conductor helped him down the steps, but says he had hold of his arm; but “the train gave a lurch, and he sort of pushed me, and I went off.” On his cross-examination he says that after they started for the rear end of the car, the conductor said to him: “You had better hurry up and get off as soon as you can;” that witness supposed that the train was coming up to the platform at the station; that he got on to the rear step, and was going to get off there; and, he says, “the train gave a lurch, and I fell off, and he pushed me at the same time.” This is the substance of plaintiff’s version of the matter. He is contradicted upon the material points by the conductor, who apparently gives a very reasonable and consistent account of the transaction, and one which is essentially different from that given by the plaintiff. But it was for the jury to determine these matters of difference upon the whole case as submitted, and the trial court is so far satisfied with the verdict that it did not deem a new trial proper,' either on the ground that the verdict was not justified "by the evidence or on the ground of newly-discovered evidence. The charge of the court is not returned, and must be presumed to have fairly presented the case to the jury. The defend*185ant insists (1) that there is no proof of actionable negligence on its part; (2) that the evidence clearly establishes contributory negligence; and (3) that a new trial should have been granted on the ground of newly-discovered evidence.
1. Whether, upon all the evidence, it was considered by the trial court that the plaintiff was thrust off or required to leave the train •by the conductor, or whether he was simply notified by the conductor •to get off, while the train was in motion, without being warned of the risk in doing so, we think there is sufficient evidence of negligence to support the verdict. The conductor admits that the train had left the station, and was going 8 to 10 miles an hour at the time. It might be assumed that he knew the circumstances, and that he would not imprudently advise or direct a passenger to jump off a train, unless it was safe to obey his orders; and the passenger would naturally rely upon his judgment to a greater or less degree, according to the nature of the case. The evidence certainly tended to show that the language and conduct of the conductor in this instance were such as to authorize the plaintiff to conclude that he had a right to get off the train, and that he could safely do as he was directed. Bucher v. N. Y. Central, etc., R. Co., 98 N. Y. 128. The notification to leave the train under the circumstances, if acted on, was likely to expose plaintiff to danger and injury; and, if the evidence of the latter was true, it was reckless and unwarranted conduct.
2. Ordinarily a passenger would be held not to be justified in getting off a train while in motion, except at his own risk. Unless the train is moving very slowly, and the circumstances are especially favorable, it would be deemed prima facie negligence. It is not necessarily so, however; and the circumstances presented by the record were such, in this case, as to make the question one for the jury. He claims to have been mistaken as to the speed of the train. He was directed to make haste to get off. .He might assume that the conductor knew all about the place and the movements of the train, and that it would be necessary to obey orders to avoid being carried beyond his destination. He was suddenly waked out of sleep, he ■says, and did not understand that the train was moving rapidly. These and perhaps other circumstances were proper to be considered, *186and were sufficient, we think, to justify the trial court in submitting the case to the jury. Filer v. N. Y. Central R. Co., 49 N. Y. 47; Shannon v. Boston & Albany R. Co., 78 Me. 52, 60; Pool v. Chicago, Mil. & St. Paul Ry. Co., 56 Wis. 227, 236, (14 N. W. Rep. 46.)
3. The affidavits of several persons, whose evidence, it is claimed, can be procured at another trial, show that the account of the occurrence given to them by the plaintiff was different from that testified to by him upon the stand. This was, however, cumulative evidence of the same kind with that introduced on the trial. It was also in part contradicted, and in part attempted to be explained,- in •the opposing affidavits. The decision of the trial court, upon the record as presented, ought not to be disturbed by this court. Lampsen v. Brander, 28 Minn, 526, (11 N.W. Rep. 94;) Peterson v. Faust, 30 Minn. 22, (14 N. W. Rep. 64.)
Judgment affirmed.