Chicago & Alton Railroad v. Bloomfield

Higbee, J. This suit was brought by appellee against appellant to recover the value of a stack of hay alleged to have been burned by sparks of fire escaping from one of appellant’s engines passing on its road. The stack was four hundred and fifty feet from the road, but appellee attempted to prove that the fire originated on the right-of-way and extended to the stack. Appellant attempted to show that the fire commenced at the stack and extended to its right-of-way, and that it was not caused by sparks from its engine. On this question there was a conflict in the evidence. The court, at the instance of appellee, gave this instruction to the jury: 1. That if they believe from a preponderance of the evidence in this case, that the plaintiff’s hay was destroyed by fire communicated from one of defendant’s engines, and that defendant’s right-of-way was not free from dry grass, leaves and other combustible matter at the place where the fire started, then the defendant is prima facie guilty of negligence, and the burden of overcoming such prima facie case by evidence is upon the defendant; and unless the jury believe that the defendant by its evidence has overcome such prima facie case", they will find for the plaintiff, and assess his damages at what the evidence shows such hay was worth at the time it was destroyed. This instruction assumes as a fact the very matter in contest, that the fire started on defendant’s right-of-way; and must have greatly prejudiced appellant. The evidence was so conflicting and uncertain upon this point that it was of the utmost importance to the rights of the parties, that the instructions should be accurate, and not assume the existence of a fact so strongly contested. M. S. & N. I. R. R. Co. v. Shelton, 66 Ill. 424; Alexander v. Town of Mt. Sterling, 71 Ill. 366; City of Chicago, v. Bixly, 84 Ill. 82. The judgment is reversed and the cause remanded. Beversed and remanded.