New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad v. Luebeck , 157 Ill. 595 ( 1895 )

Mr. Justice Phillips

delivered the opinion of the court:

One of the errors assigned on the record is, that the trial court admitted improper testimony on the part of appellee. Edward Luebeck, a brother of appellee, and whose place of business was east of the railroad tracks, was called as a witness, and asked if he knew where plaintiff was going at the time of the accident. His answer was, “Yes, I sent him to get some glass at Went-worth avenue.” Motion was made by appellant to strike out the answer, but the court permitted it to stand, to which exception was taken by appellant. Three witnesses who observed the accident had testified that appellee was crossing the tracks from east to west, and the evident purpose of this evidence was in corroboration, as witness further stated that it was only about five minutes before the accident occurred that he had sent appellee on an errand. The record shows very clearly that the jury must have fully understood, from the testimony of the witness, that he did not see the accident, for he so states. All he knew was, that five minutes before he had started appellee on an errand which would take him west across these tracks. This evidence was so nearly connected with the accident itself, and a mere fact in corroboration of other direct and positive evidence, that there was no error, under all the circumstances, in the trial court overruling the motion made to strike out the answer.

The court, over the objection of defendant below, permitted the plaintiff to show the frequency with which trains passed over these tracks, and that there was a train every twenty minntes, although most of them were trains of various other roads. Under the first count of the declaration this evidence was admissible. It is to be presumed that defendant had knowledge of the running of these trains, and if they passed in rapid succession it thereby made this crossing much more dangerous' to the public. Even though the numerous other trains were not those of appellant, if they made this crossing more dangerous appellant was bound to exercise a degree of care commensurate with this danger, and it is held to the same degree of care as though it owned the track and controlled and operated every train run on these tracks. (Illinois Central Railroad, Co. v. Kanouse, 39 Ill. 272; Wisconsin Central Railroad Co. v. Ross, 142 id. 9.) “Where the surrounding circumstances render the crossing especially dangerous to travelers on the highway, as when the line is curved or there are obstructions to the view, it is the duty of the railway to take precautions commensurate to the danger.” (Patterson on Railway Accident Law, sec. 170.) To the same effect, also, is Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railway Co. v. Wallace, 110 Ill. 114. This rule has been followed in this State by holding that it is proper to show that the view at the crossing of the railroad and highway was obstructed by a heavy growth of timber or foliage, even though not on the company’s right of way. (Peoria, Pekin and Jacksonville Railroad Co. v. Siltman, 88 Ill. 529.) And also that in a populous city, where many people pass over a crossing, it is proper to show that no flagman was at the crossing, even though no statute or ordinance required one. (Chicago and Iowa Railroad Co. v. Lane, 130 Ill. 116.) It was not error, therefore, to permit plaintiff to show, as a circumstance, that trains were in the habit of passing over this crossing in rapid succession.

Under the assignment of error as to the admission of improper evidence by the trial court, objection is also made to the testimony of certain non-expert witnesses on the question of the mental impairment of appellee. A number of such witnesses were called, — relatives and persons with whom and for whom appellee had worked. The testimony of such witnesses, — people of good common sense, — is admissible and is competent testimony. (Rutherford v. Morris, 77 Ill. 397; Morse v. Crawford, 17 Vt. 499.) Non-expert witnesses having stated their observations and the facts attendant upon the condition of a person before any mental impairment and such observations and facts after the alleged impairment, are permitted then to state their conclusions or opinions based on such facts or observations, and may make comparison of the mental condition of such person before and after an injury which is alleged to have resulted in affecting the mind. It is not necessary that the impression testified to must have been formed at the time the particular conduct or fact was observed. It may be the result of the observation of a continued condition or series of facts. While the record discloses that the answers on this branch of the case were in a manner not responsive to the questions, it does not appear that any specific objections were made at the time, and we perceive no harm-' ful error in the ruling of the trial court in the matter.

Reversal of this case is also urged on the ground of improper remarks made by the counsel for appellee in the argument of the case before the jury. In his concluding remarks counsel for appellee used the language complained of, as follows : “The plaintiff in this case is poor. He has not got the unlimited wealth of the defendant in this case. He can not call these gentlemen and pay them §150 for coming upon the stand. It was admitted, and it was stated in the presence of the jury by learned counsel, that Mr. Fenger was a high-priced man, that the gentleman whom he called upon the stand was a high-priced man; and I say to you we can not afford to call high-priced men to give opinions. Counsel on the other side put a high-priced man on the stand, but he did not ask his opinion. Yon will remember that when I asked Dr. Chnrch as to what really the mental condition of this boy was, he said he could not answer until I paid him, — he wanted his pay. He had a right to demand it. You cannot compel a doctor to give his opinion any more than you can compel a shoe-maker to deliver a pair of shoes free of charge. This is his privilege; but it does seem to me that if I was already in court testifying for one side that had paid me, that I would not hesitate to tell the whole truth. If Dr. Church would have been satisfied or would have believed that this boy’s mind was not affected, — if he would have believed that the boy was not insane, — I ask you, would not astute counsel have asked him that question?” Comment had been made, in argument, by counsel for appellant, as to the failure of appellee to call Dr. Fisk, a specialist, as a witness. It appears that appellee had once visited this doctor’s office, but the record does not disclose that this doctor had treated him. The argument of appellant’s counsel was therefore not called for by anything in the record, and the remarks of counsel for appellee above quoted, while improper under ordinary circumstances, were called forth by the improper remarks of opposing counsel. It is the duty of the trial court to control counsel in their remarks to the jury, and by pointed rebuke, or otherwise, remove any undue effects which improper remarks might have. We are not inclined, in this case, under all the circumstances, to hold that the remarks complained of should cause a reversal.

Error is urged in the action of the trial court in giving to the jury the second instruction asked by appellee, which is as follows :

“The court instructs the jury that there was no absolute duty imposed by law on the defendant to maintain either gates or a flagman at the crossing in question, and if you believe, from the evidence, that there were no gates or flagman there at the time of the alleged injury, that “is not of itself evidence of negligence on the part of defendant. The plaintiff does not allege or claim any negligence on part of defendant in regard to this. Evidence as to whether there were gates or a flagman at the crossing in question at the time of the alleged injury was admitted by the court, and should be considered by the jury, not as tending, of itself, to establish negligence, but solely for the purpose of showing the general condition of things at the locality of such crossing at the time of the alleged injury, so as to assist the jury to determine, from all the circumstances and evidence in the case, and under the instructions of the court, whether the defendant was guilty of negligence, as charged by the plaintiff in his declaration.”

The circuit court had admitted evidence on the trial showing that there were no gates or flagman at the crossing in question. Under the rule announced in Chicago and Iowa Railroad Co. v. Lane, 130 Ill. 116, this was competent, in connection with proof of the condition of things, in respect to travel and otherwise, in that locality, and on the question of the care and caution on the part of appellant in running its trains in accord with public safety. We do not deem it necessary to discuss this instruction further than to say that it is fully in accord with the views we have expressed in the case of Chicago and Iowa Railroad Co. v. Lane, supra, and that it states the law applicable to this case.

This court is asked to reverse the judgment in this case on the ground that the plaintiff himself was guilty of such contributory negligence that the court below should have instructed the jury to return a verdict for the defendant. The weight of the evidence in the case shows that the plaintiff was proceeding west on Fifty-third street; that he passed around the cars standing on the first track, — a side-track, — which tended to prevent his view of any train approaching from the north. It appears that his attention was naturally engaged by the moving train on the third track, which blocked the crossing, and that the short time he stopped on the second track was sufficient for him to be struck by appellant’s train. The engine was running tender forward, and those in charge of it either could not see the track or were not on the lookout as they should have been in approaching a dangerous crossing, as they knew nothing of the accident until they had run by some distance. There is a conflict in the evidence as to whether a bell was rung or whistle sounded, employees of appellant testifying in the affirmative, and three disinterested witnesses, near enough to have heard, say that neither was done. The entire evidence, both of appellee and appellant, shows that the train was running at a speed in violation of the ordinances of. the town of Lake. It cannot be said, therefore, there was no evidence tending to show negligence on the part of appellant and tending to show appellee was in the exercise of ordinary care. Whether the evidence fully establishes a fact of this character is not determined as a question of law. The rule may be declared settled in this State, that where there is evidence which, if true, tends to establish the facts necessary and sufficient to sustain a verdict, it is not error to refuse a peremptory instruction to find for defendant. National Syrup Co. v. Carlson, 155 Ill. 210; Wight Fire-Proofing Co. v. Poczekai, 130 id. 139 ; Hodges v. Bearse, 129 id. 87; Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Co. v. Dunleavy, id. 132; Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Co. v. Snyder, 128 id. 655; Hamburg-American Packet Co. v. Gattman, 127 id. 598; Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad Co. v. O’Conner, 115 id. 254.

The verdict and judgment in this case were for $10,000, and it is urged that sum is excessive in comparison with the extent of the injuries received by appellee. We are precluded by the judgment of the Appellate Court from a consideration of that question. It is incumbent on the trial and Appellate Courts to guard carefully, and especially in actions of this character, the interests of both plaintiff and defendant in matters wherein their judgment is final.

A careful and extended examination of this ■ record develops no error that should causé a reversal of this judgment, and the judgment of the Appellate Court is therefore affirmed.

Judgment affirmed.