Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
The Waxahachie Daily Light
Waxahachie, Ellis County, Texas
What is this article about?
US Supreme Court sustains Texas court's $5000 damages award to Arizona brakeman George Sowers for injury in New Mexico railway accident, ruling New Mexico law not binding on non-citizens.
Clipping
OCR Quality
Full Text
Judgment of the Supreme Tribunal of United States Important
Washington, March 3.—In deciding the case of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railway company vs. George Sowers, against the company the supreme court of the United States Monday construed a delicate question concerning the application of laws of one jurisdiction in another. It was an action for damages brought in a Texas state court by Sowers, a brakeman on the railroad and a citizen of Arizona, caused by an accident which occurred in New Mexico. The trial court awarded $5000 damages, and that verdict was affirmed by yesterday's decision.
The injury was sustained by Sowers while riding on the tender of an engine in assisting in switching and the railroad company contended because he was on the tender he was guilty of contributory negligence.
The Texas court decided, however, as the riding on an engine was customary with trainmen it did not constitute negligence.
The railroad company sought to have disposition of the case in New Mexico prohibiting the bringing in other jurisdictions of suits for damages sustained in that territory. The Texas court held this law to be applicable only to citizens of New Mexico and is not binding on others, and the supreme court sustained this view.
What sub-type of article is it?
What keywords are associated?
What entities or persons were involved?
Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Washington
Event Date
March 3.
Key Persons
Outcome
the trial court awarded $5000 damages, and that verdict was affirmed by yesterday's decision of the supreme court of the united states.
Event Details
In the case of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railway company vs. George Sowers, an action for damages brought in a Texas state court by Sowers, a brakeman on the railroad and a citizen of Arizona, caused by an accident which occurred in New Mexico. The injury was sustained by Sowers while riding on the tender of an engine in assisting in switching. The railroad company contended contributory negligence, but the Texas court decided riding on an engine was customary and did not constitute negligence. The railroad sought to apply a New Mexico law prohibiting suits in other jurisdictions, but the Texas court held it applicable only to citizens of New Mexico, and the supreme court sustained this view.