Texas & Pacific Railway Co. v. Barron

FINLEY, Associate Justice. Conclusions of Fact.—About noon on June 30, 1889, about three miles east of Elmo, in Kaufman County, as appellant’s eastbound through passenger train was passing on its railway, the track beneath it gave way, because the dirt supporting the same at that place was washed out during a very heavy rainfall shortly before or about that time. The baggage car was turned over and the baggage master instantly killed. The express and mail cars were turned partially over, and the smoking car, ladies’ car, and sleeping car were derailed, though not turned over. Appellee, who was a passenger on said train from Terrell, intending to go to Wills Point, was, with many others, in the smoking car at the time of the wreck, and sustained serious personal injuries therein. The rain which caused the washout was not extraordinary or unprecedented. The section foreman did not inspect the track after the rain and before the wreck, though there was ample time for him to have done so, and it was his duty to do it. At the time of the accident the train was running at a rapid rate of speed—full schedule rate, if not in excess of it. We conclude that the cause of the wreck was the condition of the roadbed—the washout; the roadbed not being in a condition to resist the force of such a rainfall was the result of the negligence of the railway company, either in original construction or maintenance of its roadbed; and that the failure of the section foreman to inspect the track at the place of the accident, after the rainfall and before the train ran over it, was negligence. Conclusions of Law.—There are but two assignments of error presented by appellant: “ 1. The verdict of the jury and the judgment of the court are not authorized by plaintiff’s pleadings, in this: that plaintiff in his petition seeks a recovery upon the ground that defendant’s train was run in a reckless manner, and its road in bad condition; and upon the trial sought to recover, and did recover, upon the ground of negligence not alleged, to-wit, that defendant’s section foreman had not gone over defendant’s road that morning at the place where the wreck occurred.” So much of plaintiff’s petition as sets forth the cause of his injury is as follows: “ That while plaintiff was such passenger, as aforesaid, through *549 the carelessness, negligence, and reckless running of said cars by the agents of said defendant, and the negligent and dangerous condition of defendant’s roadbed, the cars of defendant ran off of said track, and plaintiff was hurled violently against and upon the sides of said car and the projecting arms of the seats therein,” etc. Appellant claims that the failure of the section foreman to inspect the track was the only negligence shown, and that it was not alleged. The cause of the wreck was the dangerous, defective condition of the track; the failure of the section foreman to inspect the track, as well as all acts or conduct of defendant’s employes owing any duty in the premises, tending to show negligence in relation to such condition, are to be regarded as but incidents of proof of the main fact alleged, namely, “ the negligent and dangerous condition of defendant’s roadbed.” We are of opinion that the proof sustains the allegations as to negligence, and that the assignment is not well taken. Railway v. Kirk, 62 Texas, 232. “ 2. The court erred in permitting the witness R. L. Warren to state that he heard superintendent Grant reprimand the section foreman for not having gone over defendant’s road on the day the wreck occurred, said witness stating that he could neither recollect the language of said Grant nor the substance thereof; said testimony being admitted over defendant’s objection, as shown by bill of exceptions number 1.” The bill of exceptions to the ruling in question is as follows: “ Be it remembered, that on the trial of the above cause, while R. L. Warren, witness for plaintiff, was on the stand, plaintiff’s counsel asked said witness to state whether he heard Superintendent Grant reprimand the section boss after said wreck occurred, for not having gone over that part of defendant’s road prior to the wreck and on the morning of the wreck; to which defendant, by its counsel, then and there objected, which objection was overruled by the court, and the witness stated, that after the wreck he heard said Grant reprimand said section boss for not having gone over said road prior to said wreck; that he did not remember the language used by said Grant nor the substance thereof. To which answer defendant then and there excepted, upon the ground that said answer was an opinion of witness and a mere conclusion, and was incompetent as evidence against defendant; which objection was overruled by the court, and the defendant then and there excepted to said ruling, and presented this its bill of exception. “This bill is signed with the explanation, that while the witness stated that he could not repeat the language used by Grant, nor give the substance of the language used, yet he stated that from what language he heard Grant use, witness understood that he (Grant) was reprimanding said foreman for not going over the road that morning after the rain. [Signed] “Anson Rainey, Judge.” *550 Delivered October 6, 1893. It is contended that this evidence was not admissible; first, because it was the mere opinion of the witness as to the effect of the words spoken; second, it was not shown that the person speaking was acting within the scope of his authority; third, it was not shown to be a part of the res gestae. The first of these objections to the evidence was the only ground urged in the trial court, and it alone can be considered by this court. Rules Dist. Ct., 58; Railway v. Hogsett, 67 Texas, 687. It is a general and elementary principle that a witness must testify as to facts, and not to inferences and conclusions. Was this principle violated in the admission of the testimony of the witness ? He testified to the fact that he heard the general manager, Grant, reprimand the section foreman for not inspecting the track on the morning of the wreck; he did not remember his language or form of expression; but he did remember the idea conveyed or impression received by him, and it was to this that he testified. How much such evidence proves, or ought to weigh with a jury, is another and different question. Where the impression received is vague and uncertain, the trial court might properly exclude the evidence; but where the defect is a failure to remember the exact words or forms of expression, while the impression or idea conveyed is distinct and clear, the evidence should be admitted. Simpson v. Brotherton, 62 Texas, 172; 1 Whart. Law of Ev., secs. 514, 515; Seymour v. Harvey, 11 Conn., 280; The State v. Donoran, 61 Iowa, 278; Walker v. Camp, 63 Iowa, 627; The State v. Jones, 64 Iowa, 349. We do not think the objection urged to the evidence well founded; and there being no other errors assigned, the judgment should be affirmed, and it is so ordered. Affirmed.