Manning Oil Mill v. Northwestern R.R. Co.

The opinion of the Court was delivered by Mr. Justice Watts. This was an action for recovery of damages for two intrastate shipments of cotton seed and penalty as to each shipment. After issue joined the case came on for trial before Judge Bowman, and a jury. At the close of plaintiff’s evidence defendant moved for a nonsuit, on the ground that the bill of lading issued by the plaintiff contained, in substance, that claims for loss, damage, or delay must be made in writing to the carrier at the point of delivery,, or at point of origin, within four months after delivery of property, or, in case of failure to make delivery, then within four months after a reasonable time for .delivery has elapsed, and, unless claims are so made, the carrier shall not be liable, and that the claims had not been filed within the time specified, and that as to the Camden shipment no claim had ever been filed at the point of shipment or the point of origin. Judge Bowman granted the nonsuit,- and upon the further ground that there was no evidence of waiver. The plaintiff appeals, and by two exceptions imputes error. The first exception complains of error because the provisions could have been waived, and, there being some evidence of waiver, that issue should have been submitted to the jury. The appellant did not make this point before the Judge, but a careful examination of the evidence shows no waiver. The plaintiff put in evidence in chief what he relied on to constitute waiver, and his Honor held that the cor-respondence did not show waiver, and there was no evidence of waiver. Over six months had elapsed before plaintiff put in its claim. Four months was the time it had to do it in. The defendant denied liability, and did nothing to mislead the plaintiff to its detriment or prejudice, and his *226 Honor was correct in his holding as to there being no evidence of waiver. McKee v. McGhee et al., 103 S. E. 508. The second exception is taken under a misapprehension. It is not what his Honor ruled. His Honor’s order of a nonsuit is granted upon the stipulation of the bill of lading and no evidence of waiver. All exceptions overruled, and judgment affirmed. Messrs. Justices Hydricic and Fraser concur. Mr. Chiee Justice Gary and Mr. Justice Gage absent on account of sickness.