Pine Bluff & Western Railroad v. McCaskill

McCulloch, J. Mrs. M. E. McCaskill .became a passenger on one of appellant’s trains, and sues to recover damages for injuries alleged to have been received by reason of negligence of appellant’s servant while she was boarding the train at Pine Bluff. Her contention, as set forth in her complaint and the testimony adduced in support of it, is that she was ascending the steps of the train with a suit case in 'her hand, and that the train porter undertook to assist her, and, while so doing, grasped hold of "the suit ease and negligently shoved if with sudden and violent force against her, so as to throw her down on the step or platform of the coach, thus inflicting serious injuries. Appellant’s contention is that appellee tripped herself while ascending the steps of the coach by treading on her skirts, and that if she received any injury at all it resulted from that accident, and not on account of any negligence on the part of the train porter. There was evidence sufficient to sustain either theory. The court submitted the case to the jury on instructions requested by each party, telling the jury in substance that, while it was not the duty of the train porter to assist appellee in getting on the train, yet, if he undertook to do so, it was his duty to exercise ordinary care, and that appellant would be responsible for any damage resulting from his negligence in this respect. Other instructions, given by the court at appellant’s request, told’ the jury that, unless the alleged injury resulted from negligence on 'the part of the porter, or if it resulted’from appellee’s own negligence, the company would not be liable, and that the burden of proof was on appellee to prove that the injury was caused by. a neglect of the porter. In addition to this, appellant requested the court to give the following instruction, which was refused: 4. “If you believe from the evidence that the plaintiff did, in getting upon defendant’s train, fall and was injured thereby, 'then, before she is entitled to recover against the defendant in this case, she must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant or its employees were guilty of negligence, either in omitting to perform some duty, or in the performance of such düty it owed the plaintiff, of which plaintiff complains, in boarding its said train which caused the injury.” This instruction was properly refused because it conflicts with the other instructions in stating that, in order to render appellant liable, there must have- been negligence in the performance of a duty which it owed to appellee. The other instructions told the jury that it was not the duty of the porter to assist the passenger in boarding the train, and the jury might have understood from the above refused instruction that there was no negligence on the part of the porter because he owed the passenger no duty to assist her. This put it in conflict with the other instructions, which stated that, while it was not the duty of the porter to assist the passenger in getting on the train, yet if he undertook to do so he must exercise ordinary care. If the refused instruction be not susceptible of that interpretation, it is fully covered by other instructions given to the jury, and no prejudice resulted from the court’s refusal to give it. Other refused instructions were, we find, fully covered by those given, and there was no error committed by the court in its charge or in refusing instructions. On the day the case was set for trial in the circuit court appellee’s attorneys presented to the court a petition asking that the court designate a commissioner before whom her deposition co.uld be taken, on the ground that by reason of physical infirmity she was unable to attend the session of court. The court granted, the prayer of the petition and appointed the clerk of the court as commissioner to take the deposition. Said commissioner, together with the respective attorneys for both parties in the case, repaired to appellee’s residence, where her deposition was taken by examination in chief and cross-examination. On the same day both parties announced themselves ready for trial, a jury wasimpanelled, and the trial proceeded. When the deposition of appellee was offered, appellant objected to its introduction, but the court overruled the objection and allowed the deposition to be read. Learned counsel for appellant assigned this ruling as error, and insist upon it here, but they point out no reason for the objection, further than to say that the method of taking the deposition is novel and unusual and not expressly authorized by statute. The statute provides that depositions of witnesses may be read in all actions, either in equity or at law, “where from age, infirmity or imprisonment, the witness is unable to attend court.” Kirby’s Digest, § 3157. No contention is made that appellee’s physical condition was not such as to fall within the provision of this statute. The statute further provides that depositions may be taken upon reasonable notice, which must be in writing. Kirby’s Digest, § 3166 et seq. It is therefore seen that the taking of the deposition was clearly authorized by statute, though there is no provision for the appointment of a commissioner by the court for .the taking of a deposition under such circumstances. The appointment, however, did not affect the validity of the deposition, as the clerk of the court was authorized by statute to take depositions. Kirby’s Digest, § 3162. The notice was reasonable, as it gave the adverse party reasonable opportunity to attend. lit was not in writing, as provided by statute, but that was waived by attendance at the examination and by cross-examination of the witness. Caldwell v. McVicar, 9 Ark. 418. The court’s action in delaying the trial until the deposition could be taken was a matter of discretion, the exercise of which will not be disturbed where no abuse of it nor prejudice therefrom is shown. No error being found, the judgment is affirmed.