Creek v. Gideon & North Island Railroad Co.
| Decision Date | 08 April 1922 |
| Citation | 240 S.W. 128,293 Mo. 541 |
| Parties | ALBERT CREEK, Appellant, v. GIDEON & NORTH ISLAND RAILROAD COMPANY |
| Court | Missouri Supreme Court |
Appeal from New Madrid Circuit Court. -- Hon. Sterling H. McCarty Judge.
Affirmed.
H. E Alexander and M. A. Dempsey for appellant.
(1) The defendant has not substantiated its plea of estoppel. This is not a case where a railroad company openly entered upon plaintiff's premises, and proceeded to construct a railroad. By a secret understanding or contract, which for reasons best known to respondent is not produced, but only referred to in indefinite language, this respondent seeks to convert a license granted to a private tram road for limited purposes, into a general right of way such as is contemplated by the eminent-domain statute, and thereby to confiscate the property of appellant in violation of his constitutional and statutory rights. The respondent has paid nothing and intends to pay nothing. Estoppel arising from acquiescence is primarily based upon knowledge. The burden of proof rested upon defendant. The plaintiff denied knowledge. All the surrounding circumstances corroborate his testimony. 16 Cyc 680, 730, 759, 765. (2) Even if it be assumed that the defendant is a bona fide railroad corporation, the facts developed by the evidence do not estop the plaintiff from recovery in ejectment. Walker v. Railroad, 57 Mo. 275.
Gallivan & Finch for respondent.
(1) This cause having been heard by the court sitting as a jury, the judgment must be affirmed if there is any substantial evidence to support it. Thompson v. Stillwell, 253 Mo. 94; Lee v. Conran, 213 Mo. 404; Cousins v. White, 246 Mo. 309; Gaines v. Saunders, 87 Mo. 563. (2) Plaintiff is estopped from maintaining an action of ejectment. Provolt v. Railroad, 57 Mo. 256; Baker v. Railroad Co., 57 Mo. 265; Dodd v. Railroad, 108 Mo. 581; Webster v. Railroad, 116 Mo. 114; Scarritt v. Railroad, 127 Mo. 298; Alexander v. Ry. Co., 138 Mo. 464; Railroad v. Railroad, 222 Mo. 486. (3) Plaintiff's action is barred by the Statute of Limitations. Boyce v. Railroad Co., 168 Mo. 583; St. Louis v. Railroad Co., 114 Mo. 23; Turner v. Railroad, 112 Mo. 547.
-- Ejectment. The petition is in the usual form. The land involved is the right of way of what the petition denominates a tram road and what the answer calls a railroad. From a judgment for defendant, plaintiff appeals.
In 1904, Marion Creek, of Indiana, owned, with the exception of forty acres not involved, Section 36, Township 21, Range 10, east, in New Madrid Count. December 20, 1904, Marion Creek and Gideon, Anderson & Co., then in the lumber business at Gideon, Missouri, entered into a contract whereby Creek agreed to sell and the Lumber Company agreed to buy, at prices stated, the merchantable timber on Section 36. The Lumber Company contracted to extend their "tram" from its then terminus, in a southwest direction, to a point in Section 36, described as "supposed to be near the center of the Section 36," and, also, later to extend the line either south "into Section 1 or west into Section 36 as per arrangements heretofore mentioned." It was agreed that the road was to "haul standard cars," and the evidence shows it was constructed of standard guage. Creek contracted to clear the right of way at a price stated and to cut the timber and place it at points convenient for loading. The road was built and the timber cut, delivered and paid for. The road was extended through Section 36 and for several miles beyond. As the clearing proceeded, the land in the vicinity was put under cultivation, and residences gradually erected along the road. Some shipments were made of freight furnished by those in the neighborhood of the road. The equipment was of the kind usual on railroads in that section. Early in 1908 defendant corporation was organized and purchased the road or took it over from Gideon, Anderson & Co. Thenceforward it was operated in the manner which had previously prevailed. There was no fixed schedule. Freight was hauled as it was offered. Freight tariffs were fixed and published and the usual reports made. Some freight was hauled for the present plaintiff, who became the owner of Section 36 in 1914 or 1916, by deed from his father. At plaintiff's request some ditches were made, some fencing of a part of the right of way was done, cattle guards maintained in places, and a private crossing put in. In view of the question presented, a detailed statement of the evidence upon the issues of use and occupation and recognition of defendant's character as a public carrier is believed to be unnecessary. The answer pleaded, among other things, that plaintiff was estopped and that the ten-year statute had run. It may be added that the original petition, which was put in evidence, laid the ouster on "the day of , 1908." This petition was filed in 1918.
I. The estoppel relied on by defendant is an affirmative defense (Williamson v. Roberts, 187 S.W. l. c. 19; ...
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