Central of Georgia Railroad v. Strickland-Metcalf Gro. Co.

WALKER, P. J. The complaint claimed damages of the defendant (the appellant here) for its failure to deliver part of a shipment of nuts; the averment being, in substance, that the damages claimed Avere sustained by reason of the negligence of the defendant’s employes in failing “to deliver said property in due time and in accordance Avith agreement.” The defendant offered evidence tending to shoAV that Avhatever delay there Avas in the carriage of the part of the shipment in question Avas by the initial carrier, Avith Avhich the contract of shipment Avas made, and that there was no delay in transportation or delivery on the part of the defendant; but that it made delivery at the place of destination within a reasonable time after its receipt of the goods from the initial carrier. On objection interposed by the plaintiff, the court refused to permit this evidence to be introduced. This ruling seems to have been based on the notion that this evidence Avas not admissible under the plea of the general issue; the court having, for reasons not now necessary to be considered, refused to permit the defendant to file a special plea, which described the [374] circumstances of the shipment and averred the defendant’s freedom from fault after the goods were delivered to it as the connecting carrier. We are of opinion that the evidence referred to was admissible under the defendant's plea of general issue. Its tendency was to disprove material allegations of the complaint. Evidence which negatives the charge made in the complaint does not need a special plea to support it.—Petty v. Dill, 53 Ala. 645; American Oak Extract Co. v. Ryan, 112 Ala. 337, 20 South. 644; Ryan et al. v. Young, 147 Ala. 660, 41 South. 954. It was material error to exclude the evidence above referred to. Reversed and remanded.