Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway Co. v. Crow

EIDSON, Associate Justioe. This is an action brought by appellee against the appellant for damages to, crops from overflow caused by the alleged negligence of appellant in failing to construct and maintain the necessary culverts and sluices through and under its embankment across Little River -bottom, adjacent to appellee’s land, for its necessary drainage according to the natural lay thereof. The case was tried by the court without a jury and judgment was rendered for appellee for the sum of $200 and costs of suit. Appellant’s contention that appellee was not entitled to recover, unless it was shown that appellant was negligent in the construction of its road, embankment, culverts.or sluices, is not sustained by the authorities. The requirement of the statute, that the railroad company shall construct the necessary culverts and sluices, as the natural lay of the land requires for the necessary drainage thereof, is absolute, and the right to recover damages resulting from a failure to comply with such require- *281 meat is not dependent upon whether or not the railroad company was guilty of negligence. (Sayles’ Rev. Stats., art. 4436; St. Louis S. W. Ry. Co. v. Baer, 86 S. W. Rep., 653; San Antordo & A. P. Ry. Co. v. Kiersey, 86 S. W. Rep., 744; San Antonio & A. P. Ry. Co. v. Gurley, 83 S. W. Rep., 842.) The findings of fact and judgment of the court are supported by the testimony as shown by the record. There being no reversible error pointed out in the record, the judgment of the court below is affirmed. Affirmed.