Court Opinion

ID: 8300269
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-10-17 11:11:53.54656+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:44:15.168138
License: Public Domain

Me. Justice Wilkes
delivered the opinion of the Court.-
This is an appeal in the nature of a writ of error from a judgment against the Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company, the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railway and the Louisville & Nashville Terminal Company for $4,000 for alleged injuries from smoke, soot, dust, and noise claimed to be due to the operation of the railroad and terminal yards, roundhouses, etc., at Nashville, Tennessee.
The cause was tried before the Honorable J. A. Cartwright, circuit judge, and a jury.' A motion for a new trial was duly made and overruled. A motion in arrest of judgment was then made and overruled. Due and proper exception was taken to the action of the court, and an appeal was prayed' to this court.
The writ was issued on August 25, 1902, and required the defendants “to answer John T. Lellyett, trustee, and next friend of Mary R., Mary Frances, and Catherine Lellyett in an action for damages in the sum of ten thousand dollars.”
The declaration contains six counts.
The first count alleges that when “he (the plaintiff)' became the owner of said property, and up to the time of the location of the terminal station and occupation thereof by defendants, said property was exceedingly valuable; the neighborhood was’quiet, free from noise, smoke, and soot, and unpleasant gases, and in every Way a desirable place to reside, that, owing to its Idea*373tion aforesaid, and its freedom at the time from noise, dust, soot, and noxious gases, plaintiff bad beautified said place with shrubbery, trees, grass, and flowers, wbicb would enhance the value of aforesaid property intended for residence purposes.”
Thé declaration then proceeds to state that the terminal company was chartered and authorized to erect a terminal station in Nashville, and did erect the same; that afterwards, under some arrangement with the defendant companies, they have been in the use, operation and occupation of the same; that the terminal yards or grounds lie in close proximity to the plaintiff’s property, and defendants have constructed large numbers of tracks thereon, and operate a large.number of engines and cars over them; that the noise from the engines and cars is unreasonable and constant day and night; that the defendant companies use a cheap and low grade of soft coal in their engines which emit volumes of black' dirty smoke, defiling everything with which it comes in contact, which is due to the negligence of defendants in the operation of their engines; that the engines emit poisonous and noxious gases, which often lie over plaintiff’s property like a pall; that defendants négligently. erected in close proximity to plaintiff’s property large coal bins or chutes, upon which thousandte of cars of coal are dumped from a high elevation, causing dust and dirt to arise therefrom, which pass over and settle on plaintiff’s property; that . defendants have erected a large roundhouse, with a number of ' pipes or. smoke? *374stacks, where they fire up and cool off engines, some oí which are permitted to remain in said house an unreasonable length of time, and from the smokestacks of which roundhouse the smoke passes over to and settles on the plaintiffs property; that plaintiff’s property is not worth near as much as it was before the erection of said depot and terminal station, and said decrease has been owing to the wrongful acts of defendants; that said smoke, soot, creosote, cinders, dust and gases have permanently reduced and injured the value of plaintiff’s realty, and have destroyed plaintiff’s shrubbery, trees, grass and flowers; and that plaintiff has been damaged the sum of $10,000.
The second count is substantially the same as the first, except that it alleges damage to “his household furniture, ornaments, silver, and such articles,” and that the smoke settles upon plaintiff’s house and injures his personal property.
The third count alleges the same as the first count, but the damage claimed is for injury to the health of his family.
The fourth count alleges the same facts, and the damages claimed are for permanent injury to the property.
The fifth count alleges the same facts, and avers damages as follows: “Thereby damaging and injuring the furniture, hangings, fixtures, carpets, and property of the plaintiff and his family, ruining and destroying its use by the plaintiff and his family, to his damage ten thousand dollars.”
*375The sixth count alleges similar facts, and claims damages as follows: “And that their result is to destroy the health, peace, comfort, and happiness of his family, and that their peace, health, comfort, and happiness have been injured and destroyed 'by said reckless, careless, negligent, and willful conduct, to the extent of ten thousand dollars.”
The defendants demurred on three grounds:
First. Because of misjoinder of parties and mis-joinder of causes of action, in that the suit was for damages for permanent reduction of the value of the property and for damage to the household furniture, and that the smoke and soot had been carried into the systems of the plaintiff and his family, whereby their health was greatly injured; that the plaintiff, as trustee and next friend, cannot sue for injury to the real estate in the same action in which he sues for injury to the health of the parties for whom he is trustee and next friend; that the plaintiff’s ownership of the property is joint, and the injury to the health of the plaintiff’s is several.
Second. That the declaration is insufficient in law, because it is uncertain, indefinite, and ambiguous.
Third. For misjoinder in causes of action in suing for permanent decrease in the value of real estate, and also for injury to personal property, household furniture, and for loss of personal comfort and of health.
Identical demurrers were filed by all the defendants.
The court sustained the demurrers as to the claim *376•for damages to the plaintiff, John T. Lellyett, individually. In all other respects the demurrers were overruled, to which due exception was taken.
The defendants filed pleas raising the same questions.
■ The defendant’s first plea was the general issue — not guilty.
The second plea was a special pléá in which the defendant companies’ charters were averred. The plea •then further alleged that, when the company’s road was ■first built, Nashville was a village with few inhabitants; •that the property on which plaintiff’s residence is now situated was vacant; that defendant’s shops and terminal facilities were located at the extreme western edge of the town, and that the only feasible location for them 'was there; that they continued to operate said shops and terminal facilities at such point until the town in-' creased in size, and there was an absolute necessity for larger shops, depots, bigger grounds and terminal facilities, and for new depots for passengers and freight; that, pursuant to this demand, the city of Nashville, a number of years ago, authorized the closing up of certain streets and alleys, and later on the raising of certain streets and the building of certain overhead bridges; that the city itself spent large sums of money in making these improvements; that, in order to furnish a suitable depot and terminal facilities, the railroads entering Nashville co-operated ; that the public business increased, and thus increased the operations in the terminal yards; that the erections complained of *377were built pursuant to lawful powers, and that the damages complained of are such as are suffered by all persons who live in a city which grows and expands, and who happen to reside near any coal-burning concern that cannot move from place to place; that the location was determined by public necessity and convenience and the demands of commerce, as well as by charter rights; and that the original road was built long before plaintiff’s residence was erected, and the proximity of its depots and yards to plaintiff’s house has come about by reason of necessary expansion in serving the public.
The third plea was that the topography of the city of Nashville rendered any other location impracticable
The fourth plea was based upon the public-com venience and public necessity for locating the terminal facilities within reasonable reach of the public.
The fifth plea recited the charter of the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad, and the original location of its road where the present tracks are situated; the original charter of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company; the construction of its railroad into Tennessee; its extension from its original depot, on the west bank of the Cumberland river, through the territory now occupied, and past plaintiff’s residence; the original charter of the Tennesse & Alabama Railroad, the Nashville & Northwestern Railroad, the Nashville & Decatur Railroad, and other lines extending into Nashville, and their ultimate connections through Nashville and along the tracks now used for terminal purposes near plain*378tiff’s residence; the charter of the Louisville & Nashville Terminal Company, and its construction of the terminal facilities, and its lease to the two railroads. The plea further averred that the present terminal facilities were built in order to serve the public and to meet a public demand, and that they are operated solely by the railroad companies, and not by the terminal company; that in said operations said companies used machinery and engines manned by suitable, competent, and skilled employees, and burn the same coal which has been used by railroads in this section since long before the plaintiff became the owner of the property which he claims is injured;that soft coal is theonly practicable fuel in the South, and that defendants make no more smoke, noise, dust, ashes, etc., than arise from a reasonably skillful and careful operation of their business; that plaintiff acquired the same property, for the alleged injury of which damagfes are claimed, when defendants were already operating many engines and trains, and doing a large amount of switching upon their own premises in the necessary transaction of their business, and that the additional smoke, etc., is due to the increased traffic rendered necessary by service to the public; that the location of the yards and terminal facilities \yas the most reasonable and practicable location to be found, considering the necessities of the public as well as the railroad companies; that defendants rely upon their charter rights for locating and operating their depots, roundhouses, shops, and other terminal facili*379ties, and for operating and running, trains in said yards.
The defendants also filed pleas of tlie statute of limitations of one and three years.
They also filed a plea known in this record as the “John Doe Plea,” which is that this property and the plaintiff’s property were originally owned by one John Doe, who, for a consideration, conveyed the property now owned by the railroad companies, and over which these operations are had, to the railroad companies, etc. But no proof was introduced under this plea, and it was stricken out.
Plaintiff joined issue on all the pleas except the last named.
The evidence on behalf of the plaintiff tended to show that, at the time he acquired this property, Gowdy street was a quite street, suited for residence purposes; that there was no unsual noise, and no unusual amount of dust, dirt, and cinders; and that it was a comfortable place to live.
That the coal chutes complained of are used for dumping coal from cars into bins, to be used in firing engines; that the cars are hauled up on an inclined trestle, from which the dumping is done.
That the roundhouse had some ten or twelve stacks, running up about forty feet into the air.
That there is a sand or dry house in the yards; that in the terminal operations, trains are made up in the yards, and the switching and operations of engines and *380cars are practically constant; that coal is dumped day and night and on Sunday.
That the switch engines move forward and backward continually, and frequently stop opposite plaintiff’s house, and the noise and smoke from them come directly to his house.
That the first discomfort he experienced! on account of the smoke, noise, etc., was after the terminal yard opened.
That his family consists of his wife and three children, and they suffer from these discomforts proceeding from the terminal yards.
That as many as twelve or fifteen engines can be seen in the yards at one time, and, when the smoke from these comes over his premises, he can smell it. Sometimes it is impregnated with gas and causes coughing. . In the summer time the front windows of his house cannot be opened for any length of time without experiencing trouble from cinders, soot, and smoke.
The fuminshings in the house belong to his wife, and he holds the house as trustee for his wife and children, under a deed to him from his mother. He valued the entire property at $7,000 and furniture at $1,500.
. There was evidence tending to show that the grass, trees, shrubbery, and flowers in the vicinity died, and that the smoke, soot, and noises were unpleasant, and they disturbed the sleep of himself and family, and damaged both the house and the its furniture and furnish*381ings; that there was considerable noise from the ringing of engine bells, but the whistle was seldom blown.
That the plaintiff has been in the habit of taking his family to the country in the summer, leaving the city the 1st of June, and remaining away until in September.
That the noises from the terminal yards had a tendency to disturb the nervous system, and were disturbing to visitors, but one would get accustomed to it, though at the expense of nervous force.
The defendants introduced in evidence the charters of the several railroads composing the lines using these yards for terminal purposes, and also the charter of the Louisville & Nashville Terminal Company, which constructed the yards and leased them to the two railroad companies, together with the lease itself, the ordinance, of the city of Nashville, and the contract between the city and the terminal company for the construction and operation of the yards.
■ It is not necessary to refer to these charters, leases consolidations, and connections more in detail. - -
- Owing to the immense growth in travel and traffic, it was deemed advisable and necessary, for the benefit and convenience of the public, to provide new and enlarged terminal facilities at Nashville; and a lot was selected, centrally and conveniently located on Broad street and embracing something like 100 acres, upon which was erected a passenger station house, and a roundhouse, and coal chutes and bins, and a sandhouse, *382and a large number of tracks, used for switching and other purposes. This was in 1900.
Engines and cars have been operated since 1851 within 225 feet of the front of Mr. ' Lellyett’s house, upon tracks that still are used, and are a part of the terminal facilities.
None of the tracks or houses erected under the terminal station plant are nearer to Mr. Lellyett’s house than these original tracks; the new and additional tracks being to the west of the original tracks, and further removed from Mr. Lellyett’s location.
On the west side of Gowdy street, opposite Mr. Lelly'ett’s house, and between it and the terminal yards, are a number of houses, almost every lot being built upon, so that the smoke, dust, cinders, and noise must pass over these before reaching him.
From Mr. Lellyett’s house to the nearest point of the roundhouse is 750 feet; to the center of the roundhouse, 950 feet; and to the most distant wall of the roundhouse is 1,100 feet.
From Mr. Lellyett’s house to the nearest point of the coal chutes on Kayne avenue was 700 feet, and the further end of the coal chutes 800 feet.
From his house to the coal bins on Gleaves street, at the nearest point, was 1,150 feet, while the farthermost point was over 1,200.
From his house to the sandhouse was between 1,100 and 1,200 feet.
The yard space between his house and these sand-*383houses and coal chutes is occupied by tracks used for incoming an outgoing trains, and for switching and yard purposes.
Defendants’ evidence also showed that there were operated in the terminal yards seventeen engines in the daytime, and ten of these engines at night. Only three or four of these engines, however, operated continually in that part of the yard opposite Gowdy street, the balance of them, being assigned to different locations— some working in South Nashville, some in West Nashville or New Town, some in East Nashville, and others north of the Broad Street Viaduct — would only come into the terminal yards for a little while at a time, and at perhaps long intervals.
These three or four engines which worked opposite Gowdy street, and consequently opposite M'r. Lellyett’s house, were engaged mostly in hauling passenger trains. They used about 400 to 500 bushels of coal, in all, in twenty-four hours.
The evidence showed that the terminal yards began operations in January or February, 1900. This suit was brought August 25, 1902, about thirty-two months after the terminals began operations.
During this time, according to Mr. Lellyett’s evidence, he had been absent from the city, with his family, from the middle of June to about the middle of September each summer. Deducting these periods of time he was away, it would appear that he and his family were in their residence about twenty-four months.
*384The case was submitted to the jury under a charge of the court, and a verdict was rendered against the defendants for $4,000. Under this charge, no damages were awarded for injuries to the fee,' and all damages to thé furniture were, at plaintiff’s request, withdrawn. Hence this verdict must be taken as damage to the value of the use of the property, and other elements alleged in the declaration.
The defendants have appealed to this court, and assigned errors-^twenty-nine in number.
The first error assigned is that there is no evidence to support the verdict.
Under this assignment it is insisted that the suit is brought in the name of Jim. T. Lellyett,' trustee and next friend for Mary R., Mary Frances, and Catherine Lellyett; while there is nothing in. the several counts andi allegations to indicate that the suit is brought for the use and benefit of any one, except Jno. T. Lellyett, individually, and that the word, “trustee,” annexed to his name, is merely descriptio personae; while the proof shows'that the title to the property is in Jno. T. Lellyett, trustee, for the use and benefit of his wife and two children, the parties .named in the summons; and hence there is a variance between the allegations and proof of title, which is fatal to the action.
We think this objection not well taken, and that it sufficiently appears that. Mr.' Lellyett was trustee for his wife and children, and the suit was brought for damages to the use of their property, health, and comfort.
*385The second assignment of error is that there is a mis-joinder of parties and canses of action.
The insistence is that there are five distinct and separate causes of action stated in the declaration, to wit:
First, a joint canse of action for damages to the real estate.
Second, a 'separate cause of action to Jno. T. Lellyett for damages to his furniture.
Third, fourth, and fifth, separate causes of action in favor of the wife and two children for injury to their health.
In regard to this assignment, it is only necessary to say that all claim for damages to personal property of Jno. T. Lellyett was abandoned, and the jury was so instructed, and this was not embraced as one of the elements of damages in the charge of the trial judge.
As to what are styled the third, fourth, and fifth causes of action, we think the assignment and criticism made is not well founded. There is no claim for damages for sickness, doctor’s bill, etc. The allegation of impairment to health of family is merely a specification of the damage done the place as a home or place of residence, just as is the destruction of the grass, trees, shrubbery, etc., and the presence of smoke, cinders, etc.
In other words, the averment is directed to the damage to the use of the property, and this damage consists in its being rendered unhealthy, ■ uncomfortable, and unsuitable for residence purposes.
*386In the charge of the court the jury ivere not instructed to give any damages for sickness or impairment of health of any of the family, hut it was omitted, and the jury could not have given any damages for sickness or impairment of health, separate and apart . from the damage done the property as a comfortable, healthy, and suitable place of residence.
The damages for which recovery was directed to he given by the charge was “to the use, comfort, peace, quiet, and enjoyment of the house and lot,” and health and sickness are not referred to in that part of the charge relating to the méasure of damages.
We think, therefore, that there was no separate cause of action recovered upon for sickness or impairment of health.
We think it well to analyze the pleadings and see what issues are properly before us, and see whether there were issues submitted to the jury which were not warranted under the pleadings.
The first count in the declaration sues for permanent injury and impairment to the value of the premises of complainant.
So, with the fourth count, the damage claimed is to the permanent injury to the property.
.Now, the court charged the jury, at plaintiff’s request, that the plaintiff could not recover for the injury done the fee of the premises, and any proof adduced as to the value of the premises, if such there be, must be considered only determining the question as to whether *387or not the comfortable use and enjoyment of the premises had been impaired or destroyed.
This instruction by the trial judge was made at the request of the plaintiff, but really it is immaterial whether the charge was given at plaintiff’s request or on motion of the court.
This instruction eliminates the first and fourth counts, since they claim for permanent, and) not recurrent, damages.
These two counts must be eliminated, therefore from our consideration, as not presenting the issues upon which the case was tried and damages found.
The second and fifth counts are for damages to the furniture and fixtures in the house, and these are eliminated because all claim for damages on this account was withdrawn by the plaintiff.
This leaves only the third and sixth counts not eliminated, and these counts claim damages for injury to the use and enjoyment of the premises as a home.
The third count states the wrongful act to be that the plaintiff’s place hag been changed fropi a quiet, restful home into an unhealthy, noisy, dirty, filthy place, which has greatly injured the health of plaintiff’s family; and the sixth count states the wrongful act to be the injury and destruction of the health, peace, comfort, and happiness of the family; and upon these counts the verdict must be sustained, if aba11.
The question before us is, therefore whether the use and enjoyment of the property of plaintiff has been ma*388terially impaired by tbe acts of defendants, and if so, are tbe defendants liable therefor?
There can be no question but that some detriment has been done to tbe use and enjoyment of tbe property. Tbe evidence in tbe record leaves no ground for doubt as to this feature, but to what extent, we will consider more at length.
Defendants do not seriously contend that they are not tbe parties who have caused this damage, but tbe contention is that they are not liable for tbe same.
■ Tbe argument is that tbe defendants have authority under their charters to locate tbe terminal yards, roundhouse, etc., where they have placed them, and, while tbe exact location of these things is not prescribed by tbe charter, tbe defendants bad tbe legislative discretion to locate them where it would be most convenient to them and tbe traveling public.
Concede, for tbe sake of argument, that this is true (and within certain limitations it is), still tbe question remains, if such location results in material damage to adjacent or contiguous owners, are tbe defendant liable? And this proposition presents the real controversy so far as tbe merits are concerned.
While there are many criticisms of tbe charge so far as it relates to this question, they are crystallized in tbe exception to tbe following part of tbe charge:
“I instruct you that it is no defense to this action to prove that tbe yards where tbe business of defendants is carried on is at a suitable locality, or that tbe busi*389ness is a lawful business and one useful to tbe public, or that tbe best and most approved appliances and methods are used in tbe conduct and management of tbe business. Where a trade or business is carried on in such manner as to interfere with tbe reasonable and comfortable enjoyment of another of bis property, or which occasions material injury to tbe property itself, it amounts to a wrong to tbe neighbor, and one for which an action will lie.”
This portion of tbe charge is taken from tbe opinion of tbe court of chancery appeals in tbe case of Duch-tovm, etc., v. Barnes, 60 S. W., 600, which was, as to its result, approved by this court, and to some extent followed in tbe case of Swain v. Tenn. Copper Co., Ill Tenn., 437, 78 S. W., 93.
As further bearing directly upon tbe question of liability, and meeting tbe criticism of defendant’s counsel, tbe court charged:
“I charge you, gentlemen, that, under tbe charter of tbe defendants and tbe contract with tbe city of Nashville, tbe State has not authorized tbe wrong complained of. In locating tbe yards and the various structures thereon so that injury necessarily resulted to adjacent landowners, tbe defendants acted at their peril. In locating tbe terminal yards tbe defendants stood on tbe footing of an individual, and were entitled to no superi- or rights of immunity by legislative authority. Tbe authority to construct tbe yards did not authorize defendants to place them wherever they might think pro*390per in the city, without reference to the property rights of others. Defendants have no right to use the yards in disregard of the rights of others, and with immunity for their invasion.
“If you find from the evidence that the terminal yards are located in or adjacent to a residence neighborhood, - and that in their operation the defendants make noises which, because of their volume, character, proximity, or unreasonableness, cause plaintiff material distress, discomfort, or injury, then, in that case, the defendants' are liable. It is no defense that such noises are necessary to the operation of defendants’ business, its location, manner in which it is conducted, the hours of its . operation, character and volume of the noises, reasonableness or unreasonableness of the hours during which such noises are made, and all other attendant circumstances.
“I further charge you and instruct you, gentlemen, that neither is it any defense that when the nuisance was established it was in a convenient place, and that the public had come to the nuisance either by the extension of the town or the operating of highways and streets.
“The fact that the business was originally established in a convenient place, but that the public has come to it, is no defense.”
The legislature may authorize public corporations and quasi public corporations to take private property for public use.
*391Thus, it may authorize a railroad to take private property for its right of way, for its depots and station houses.
It may also authorize terminal companies to take private property for its station houses, roundhouses, coal chutes, and other necessary conveniences; but it cannot’ authorize such public corporations, in locating such works, to seriously impair or destroy property not so taken, but which becomes impaired or is destroyed by the use of that which is taken.
There is no authority for the commission of a nuisance, or the doing of a hurtful act, to adjacent or contiguous property, in order to operate that which it lawfully has.
This question, we think, has already been decided in this State in a number of cases.
In Terminal Company v. Jacobs, 109 Team., 741, 72 S. W., 957, 61 L. R. A., 188, which involved the location and construction of a roundhouse by this same terminal company, it is said:
“To claim exemption from a liability, resting on a charter right, the answer may be properly made that the State has not authorized the wrong complained of, and, . in locating its roundhouse so that the injury necessarily resulted to the adjacent landowner, it did so at its peril.”
It appears to be the English doctrine that Parliament may authorize the construction of such a work at a specified place where its use would constitute a *392nuisance at common law, and no compensation could be claimed in respect to an injury to private rights, apart from a negligent use.
But, even under the English system, no such immunity could be claimed, unless there was sanction to do so, either expressed or implied.
As is said in Sill v. Managers of the Metropolitan Asylum Dist., L. R., 4 Queen’s Bench Div., 433:
“When the terms of the statute are not imperative, but permissive, when it is left to the discretion of the persons empowered to determine whether the general powers committed to them shall be put in execution or not, I think the fair inference is that the legislature intended that the discretion be exercised in strict conformity with private rights, and did not intend to confer license to commit a nuisance in any place which might be selected for the purpose.”
This court, approving this doctrine, said, in addition, in Terminal Company v. Jacobs, 109 Tenn., 743, 72 S. W., 957, 61 L. R. A., 188:
“But over and beyond this, we think this corporation, in selecting a place for its roundhouse, acted in a private capacity, and is responsible for the injurious consequences which may result from its use. This is the view taken in Baseman v. Penn. R. R. Co., (N. J. Sup.), 13 Atl., 167. It is there said: £A railroad, in selecting a place for repair shops and engine house, acts altogether in its private capacity. Such location is a matter of indifference to the public. Consequently, *393with respect to such act, the corporation stood on the footing of an individual, and was entitled to no superior rights of immunity. . . The authority to construct such works did not authorize it to place them wherever it might think proper in the city, without reference to the property rights of others. Grants of power to corporate bodies like these can give no> license to use them in disregard of the rights of others, and with immunity for their invasion.’ To the like effect is the leading-case of B. & P. R. R. y. Fifth Baptist Church, 108 U. S., 317, 2 Sup. Ct., 719, 27 L. Ed., 739; Cogswell v. N. T., H. & H. R. Co., 103 N. Y., 10, 8 N. E., 537, 57 Am. Rep., 701.”
The Fifth Baptist Church case, which is a leading case upon this question, has been cited and approved in a large number of cases, and by all the text-books and compilations, since it was delivered in 1883.
It is said that it is weakened in the case of London Railway Company v. Truman, 11 App. Cas., 50, but we do notifind this to be so; but that cas'e, by the opinion of the court itself, is differentiated from the Hill case and the Church case,the Truman case resting upon the English railway acts, which were assumed to establish the proposition that a railway might be made and used, whether it was a nuisance or not.
The Truman case is contrary to the- other cases, because it is based upon the authority of the English railway acts, which authorize the construction and operation of the railway, even though it be a nuisance. No *394such, legislation has ever been attempted in the United States, and it is so utterly repugnant to our constitution and system of government, by which the rights of every individual are protected, that it will never be attempted or upheld.
In the Fifth Baptist Church Case, 108 U. S., 317, 2 Sup. Ct., 719, 27 L. Ed., 739, it is said:
“It is no answer to the action of the plaintiff that the railroad company was authorized by act of congress to bring its track witin the limits of the city of Washington, and to construct such works as were necessary and expedient for the completion and maintenance of its road, and that the engine.house and repair shop in question were thus necessary and expedient, that they are skillfully constructed, that the chimneys of the engine house are higher than required by the building regulations of the city, and that as little smoke and noise are caused as the nature of the business in them will permit.
“In the first place, the authority of the company to construct such works as it might deem necessary and expedient for the completion and maintenance of its road did not authorize it to place them wherever it might think proper in the city, without reference to the property and rights of others. As well might it be contended that the act permitted it to place them immediately in front of the president’s house or of the capítol, or in the most densely populated locality. Indeed, the corpora*395tion does assert a right to place its works upon property it may acquire anywhere in the city.”
“Whatever the extent of the authority conferred, it was accompanied with this implied qualification: that the works should not be so placed as by their use to unreasonably interfere with and disturb the peaceful and comfortable enjoyment of others of their property. Grants of privileges or powers to corporate bodies, like those in question, confer no license to use them in disregard of the private rights of others, and with immunity for their invasion. The great principle of the common law, which is equally the teaching of Christian morality, so to use one’s property as not to injure others, forbids any other application or use of the rights and powers conferred.” 108 U. S., 317, 2 Sup. Ct., 727, 27 L.Ed., 744.
And again, page 745 of 27 L. Ed., page 729 of 2 Sup. Ct., 108 U. S., 317:
“The acts that a legislature may authorize, which without such authorization would constitute nuisances, are those which affect public highways or public streams, or matters in which the public have an interest, and over which the public have control. The legislative authorization exempts only from liability to suits, civil or criminal, at the instance of the State; it does not affect any claim of a private citizen for damages for any special inconvenience and discomfort not experienced by the public at large.”
*396And again, page 745 of 27 L. Ed., page 730 of 2 Snp. Ct, 108 U. S., 317:
“If, as asserted by the defendant, the noise, smoke, and odors which are the cause of the discomfort and annoyance to the plaintiff are no more than must necessarily arise from the nature of the business carried on with an engine house and workshop as ordinarily constructed, then the engine house and workshop should be so remodeled and changed in their structure as to prevent, if that be possible, the nuisance complained of, and, if that be not possible, they should be removed tb some other place, where by their use the plaintiff would not be thus annoyed and disturbed in the enjoyment of its property. There are many places in the city sufficiently distant from the church to avoid all cause of complaint, and yet sufficiently near the station of the company to answer its purposes.”
To the same effect is the case of Chicago, Gr. W. R. Co. v. Methodist Church, 102 Fed., 85, 42 C. C. A., 178, 50 L. R. A., 488, citing Stevens v. New York, Elev. R. Co., 8 N. Y. Supp., 313; Lahr v. Metropolitan Eve. R. Co., 104 N. Y., 268, 10 N. E., 528; Kane v. New York Elev. R. Co., 125 N. Y., 186, 26 N. E., 278, 11 L. R. A., 640; Drucker v. Manhattan R. Co., 106 N. Y., 157, 12 N. E., 568, 60 Am. Rep., 437;Dunyckinch v.New York Elev. R. Co., 125 N. Y., 710, 26 N. E., 755; Cogswell v. New York, N. E. & E. R. R. Co., 103 N. Y., 10, 8 N.E., 537, 57 Am. Rep., 701; Peyser v. Metropolitan Elev., Co., 13 Daly, 122; Smith v. New York Elev. R. Co., 18 N. Y. *397Supp., 132; Bohm v. Metropolitan Elev. R. Co., 129 N. Y., 576, 29 N. E., 802, 14 L. R. A., 344.
The same doctrine is laid down in Cum. Tel. Co. v. United Electric Ry. Co., 93 Tenn., 492, 29 S. W., 104, 27 L. R. A., 236. In that case this court quoted approvingly the case of Hudson River Tel. Co. v. Turnpike Co., 135 N. Y., 393, 32 N. E., 148, 17 L. R. A., 674, 31 Am. St. Rep., 838, which said:
“We are not prepared, to hold that a person,,even in .the prosecution of a lawful trade or business upon its own land, can gather there, by artificial means, a natural element like electricity, and discharge it in such volume that, owing to the conductive properties of the earth, it will be conveyed upon the grounds of his neighbor with such force and to such an extent as to break up his business or impair the value of his property, and not be held responsible for the resulting injury.”
Again on pages 520, 521, of 93 Tenn., page 111 of 29 S. W. (27 L. R. A., 236):
“The important consideration is that a thing of value has been taken from the plaintiff for the benefit of defendant as the representative of the public, and for that thing compensation must be mada It is a plain dictate of justice that the public, not the individual citizen should bear the burden imposed upon the private property for the public benefit. That defendant’s acts may have been authorized and lawful can make no difference. The legislature has not the power (except, perhaps, as to corporate franchises) to authorize, and in this case *398it has not undertaken to authorize, the taking of private property for a public use without compensation.”
In Booth v. Ry., 140 N. Y., 272, 35 N. E., 593, 24 L. R. A., 105, 37 Am. St. Rep., 552, it is said:
“But while there are decisiohs which give countenance to the view that an authority conferred upon a railroad corporation to construct a railroad, carries with it immunity from liability in executing the work for consequential damages to private property, to the same extent as pertains to the soverign in executing public works (Bellinger v. N. Y. C. R. R. Co., 23 N. Y., 42), it is now the settled doctrine in this State that the powers granted to, such corporations are to be construed as privileges conferred, but upon the understanding that they shall be exercised in strict conformity, to private rights, and under the same responsibility as though the acts done in execution of su.ch powers were done by an individual. Cogswell v. N.Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Co., 103 N. Y., 10, 8 N. E., 537, 57 Am. Rep., 701. This doctrine accords with reason and with the presumed intention of the legislature. The franchises of a railroad corporation are conferred in consideration of supposed public benefits which will result from the construction of its road. The projectors of such an enterprise are moved by'considerations of personal advantage. To acquire corporate character and privileges, they are willing to subject themselves to certain public» duties. But it is quite unreasonable that in executing its corporate powers the corporation should be exempted from liability *399for injuries to private property, as though, it was acting, as a strictly public agent.”
See, also, Long Island Ry. Co. v. Garvey, 159 N. Y., 334, 54 N. E., 60.
In Madison v. Duchtown, etc., Co., 5 Cates, 331, 83 S. W., 658, noxious fumes and smote were found to be sufficient to constitute a nuisance. With reference to location and operation the court (page 342, p. 660, 83 S. W.) said:
“The court of chancery appeals finds that the defendants are conducting and have been conducting their business in a lawful way, without any purpose or desire to injure any of the complainants; that they have been and still are pursuing the only known method by which these plants can be operated and their, business successfully carried on; that the open-air roast heat is the only method known to the business or to science by means of which copper ore of the character mined by the defendants can be reduced; that the defendants have made every effort to get rid of the smoke and noxious vapors, one of the defendants having spent $200,000 in experiments to this end, but without result.” •
“It is to be inferred from the description of the locality that there is no place more remote to which the operations referred to could be transferred.”
And again (page 358, page 664 of 83 S. W.) :
“A judgment for damages in this class of cases is a matter of absolute right, where injury is shown.”
In view of these and many other authorities, we are *400of opinion that there was no error in the charge of the court, as claimed bj the defendants, except as hereinafter indicated.
It remains to apply the principles laid down as determining liability to the facts of this case, with such criticisms and modifications as we think are proper under the facts.
As before stated, tracks were laid in front of the property in controversy, and about 225 feet from it, as early as 1851 or 1852, and the entire traffic and travel of the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Eailway and Louisville & Nashville Eailroad to and from the South passed over these tracks. With the increase of travel and traffic the cars have been caused to pass more frequently than when the roads first commenced operations ; and other tracks have been laid entering into the terminal station, and passing through it, in order to accommodate the increase.
When the first tracks were laid, the property now in controversy, as well as that contiguous^ was vacant. With the growth of the city this space has been occupied and residences have been erected.
Thus both the travel and traffic of the roads, as well as the growth of the locality, have gone hand in hand.
We are of the opinion that, in so far as the growth and increase of travel and traffic into and through the station has brought discomfort to plaintiff, he is without remedy.
In other words, the roads have the right to accom*401modate their increasing traffic and travel without liability, so long as their trains are operated without negligent disregard of the comfort and usable value of the plaintiff’s property, and for this purpose to lay such additional tracks, side tracks, and switches into and through the station as may be required to accommodate such travel and traffic, both passenger and freight; and it is only for the additional conveniences of roundhouses sandhouses, coal bins, coal chutes, and the switchyards and tracks necessary to operate such additional conveniences, which might be located elsewhere, though not so advantageously, perhaps, that plaintiff can complain, if they materially damage the plaintiff’s property.
There has been no effort made to distinguish between the damage caused by the entrance of trains and passing of trains and exit of trains from the station and switching trains in operating the road, and the operation of the switch tracks, the coal bins, coal chutes, roundhouse, sandhouse, and other facilities introduced and operated as part of the terminal facilities.
It is only for the latter that plaintiff has a right of action, and proof should have been confined to that feature of the situation, and not to the general discomfort and damage caused by the entering and departure of trains from the station, as well as the operation of the other facilities.
Again it is not every inconvenience or discomfort that will entitle a property holder to damages, even though *402it be material or considerable, and especially as against a public or quasi public enterprise.
The noise of paved streets and of street cars is' a material discomfort to abutting owners. Tbe smoke from factories, hotels, and manufacturing establishments may form a material discomfort and annoyance to persons living near by; but these are. discomforts and annoyances that the individual must bear in deference to the convenience and comfort of the public.
The noise of trains passing through the country districts and the dust of vehicles passing along the public highways may be a great annoyance to residents along the line of such roads; and the rumbling of carriages of belated revelers and of early market wagons along the paved highways may disturb the slumbers and harass the nerves of persons who desire to sleep' in the cities; but it is not for such annoyances and discomforts that the law allows redress, but only where the discomfort and inconvenience proceeds to such an extent as to injure the usable and rental or permanent value of the property that the law will award damages. It must amount, to some extent, to the taking of the value of the property, either temporary or permanent, and depriving the owner thereof. See R. R. v. Bingham, 87 Tenn., 522, 11 S. W., 705, 4 L. R. A., 622; Demarest v. Hardham, 34 N. J. Eq., 469.
This distinction will, we think, tend to harmonize to a large extent cases which appear to be, and are, no doubt, somewhat in conflict with the cases we have cited.
In other words, there are cases, some of them cited by *403counsel, which seem to hold that damages • will not he awarded when they arise from the careful operation of lawful enterprises; but these cases, when carefully analyzed, do not present such a strong state of facts as shows a material injury to the property, amounting to a taking of it in part or in whole; but they present cases where the inconvenience and damage do not amount to a nuisance, and, hence, being done in the prosecution of a legal, public business, they do not present a case for damages.
The liability of defendants is, we think, to be determined by the principles we have laid down; and it remains to consider the question of damages, if there is liability.
• One assignment of error is that the damages are so excessive as to indicate jpassion, prejudice, or caprice.
In our opinion, there are two theories upon which damages might be estimated or based, if there is liability.
One is the theory that the defendants are carelessly and negligently operating their property so as to make it an unnecessary and unwarrantable and hurtful nuisance, while at the same time they have it in their power to errect the evils and obviate the trouble by adopting other means, and being more careful in the manner of operating the yards; and coupled with this, is the presumption that the nuisance will be only temporary, and the evil will be remedied.
In that aspect of the case recurrent damages to the *404use and enjoyment of tbe property may be recovered ¡from time to time until tbe nuisance is abated.
In sucb case tbe measure of damages will be tbe injury to tbe value of tbe use and enjoyment, wbicb may be measured, to a large extent, by tbe rental value of tbe property, and to wbat extent that rental value is diminished.
Tbe other theory is that tbe yards, etc., are carefully and properly operated, so much so as can be done considering tbe use of tbe property; but tbe location of tbe yards, etc., and their proper operation nevertheless causes an actionable injury to tbe plaintiff’s property. In sucb case it is not contemplated that any change in operation will be made, and tbe damage will continue so long as tbe yards are continued, wbicb will be permanent.
In sucb case tbe proper measure of damages will be tbe injury to tbe fee or permanent value of tbe property by tbe continued and permanent operation of tbe yards. To tbe extent that sucb permanent injury is inflicted, tbe property is, in a sense, taken or appropriated.
Tbe doctrine of successive suits rests upon tbe following principles:
(1) That tbe act complained of is a nuisance.
• - (2) That it may be abated or discontinued, and until that is done damages may be recovered from time to time.
This assumes that tbe nuisance will be abated, and *405that tbe cause of tbe injury is not permanent, nor intended to be so.
On tbe other band, when tbe operation of tbe yards is lawful and reasonable, and tbe injury results from tbe location and necessary operation, and it is not contemplated to be removed or capable of being removed, then tbe damages are permanent, and they should be estimated on tbe permanent injury to tbe property in tbe depreciation of its value in tbe market.
Now, upon this feature tbe measure of damages in tbe record is in a very unsatisfactory condition.
Tbe declaration in its different counts claims dam-' ages upon each theory; that is, some of tbe counts for damages for use and occupation, and others for damages to tbe value of tbe property. There were other counts alleging damages to tbe furniture.
Much proof was taken showing damages in a general way — that is, injury to tbe property, both real and personal; but there is very little, if any, estimate of salable value, and none of rental value or rental depreciation. It is not shown bow much tbe rental or usable value has been diminished. It is not shown, in definite estimates, bow much tbe permanent value of tbe property has been depreciated.
Tbe case was presented to tbe jury upon all tbe counts; that is, permanent damages, to tbe property, temporary damages to tbe use, and damages to tbe furniture.
But when tbe court came to charge tbe jury all claims *406for damages to furniture were withdrawn; all claims for damages, to the fee or permanent injury . were, at plaintiff’s request, withdrawn; and the case went to the jury alone upon the question of damages to the use and occupation — that is, to the rental or usable value of the real estate.
It must have been confusing to the jury to have the matter submitted to them in this way, requiring them to eliminate from their minds the damage to the personal property, and the permanent damage to the realty, and to consider only the injury to the rental value.
There is almost, if not an entire, absence of any basis for an estimate of the depreciation of the property in rental or usable value.
It was shown in the proof, over protest, that the value of the real estate was $7,000. This was for the purpose of furnishing a basis for its rental or usable value, and was so cpnfined; the argument being that the injury to the rental or usable value of $7,000 would be more than that of a $2,000, or less than of a $20,000.
In this condition of the record it is not improbable that the jury were misled into believing they could look to the injury to the personal property and the permanent injury to the property, whereas they could only look, as the case was finally submitted to them, to the damage to the use and enjoyment of the real property during the time the terminal property was being operated; that is, from January, 1900, to the bringing of the suit in 1902. This was a period of. about thirty-two months, during *407about six of which plaintiff did not occupy the premises; but was away voluntarily for the summer.
The damage found was $4,000. This, for the use of a property worth $7,000, for only 32 months, would Jbe grossly unreasonable for rental or usable value, even if the property was rendered uninhabitable.
It would be at the rate of $2,000 per year for a property which, from its value, would, perhaps, rent for not more than $¿00 per annum. .
So that, if the plaintiff had lost the entire use or rent of his property, the amount found as damages therefor was grossly excessive, even taking into consideration, in addition to the rental, the destruction of the trees, flowers, shrubbery, etc.
Treating the case, as we must, upon the record, that only temporary damages were awarded, they are so excessive as to indicate either misapprehension by the jury or showing passion, prejudice, or caprice on their part, which must vitiate their verdict.
We have not been able to find in the record any evidence of the rental or usable value of the property.
There is no evidence to show what the property would have rented for before the terminal plant commenced operation, nor how much, if any, that rental value had been diminished.
. Nor is there any evidence or estimates in figures of the permanent injury to the property, if that was to be considered.
Evidence was introduced to show that smoke, soot, *408cinders, dust, and noise were caused by other industries than those of .the terminal company.
In regard to the several assignments on this feature of the case we are of opinion that it was competent to show that the property in controversy was injuriously or prejudicially affected by smoke, dust, cinders, etc., from other sources, but not to show the effect of same on property near by or contiguous to the plaintiff’s property.
Neither is it competent to show how other property contiguous to or near by that of plaintiff has been af- . fected by the installation of and operation of the terminal plant, but the proof should be confined to the premises of plaintiff.
Nor is it competent to compare the noise existing at ■ plaintiff’s residence with that prevailing in other portions of the city; nor to show that Nashville, generally, is a dirty, smoky, noisy place or city.
Other minor errors are assigned, which it is not necessary to pass on specifically.
For the reasons we have indicated, the judgment of the court below must be reversed, and the cause remanded for a new trial. Appellee will pay costs of appeal.
Upon this new trial plaintiff should elect whether he will claim for temporary recurrent damages to his property in its use and rental value, or whether for permanent injury, and proof should be confined accordingly. So, also, all evidence as to damages to furniture *409should be eliminated, and not put before the jury. So, also, should the proof be limited to the damage caused by the operation of the roundhouse, sandhouse, coal chutes and bins, and the tracks used in operating the same, excluding such inconvenience and damage as arises from the operation of incoming or outgoing passenger and freight trains into the station, and the operation of such switches as are required to handle the same in entering or leaving the station. All other matters should be excluded from the jury as tending to confuse them.
In the present state of the record, we cannot say whether defendants are liable for any amount.