Terre Haute & Indianapolis R. R. v. Grandfield , 58 Ill. App. 136 ( 1895 )

Mr. J ustice Sample

delivered the opinion of the Court.

The appellee was driving a team of young horses. As he approached the railroad crossing of appellant he observed it was then being repaired, stopped his team a short distance from it and asked the men making repairs if he could cross. The foreman asked if he had a load; when informed' the Avagon was not loadéd, the foreman told him to come on. It appears the large plank next to the rail had been taken up and turned over, which fact was observed by appellee, and the point of the nails projected upward, which appellee did not see. These loose planks extended across the crossing over Avhich appellee had to pass, the width between the rails being about nine feet. As appellee Avas driving over, one of the horses shied, and stepped on the point of one of the projecting, nails, Avhich injured him so badly that he died in a feiv days.

The appellant claims, first, it was not negligent; second, if it Avas, the appellee was guilty of contributory negligence in not seeing and avoiding the spikes.

The appellant’s servants by their acts produced the condition which resulted in the injury. ¡No one would pretend the crossing was safe at that time, and yet appellee was told, in effect, that it was, Avithout warning him of the projecting spikes. True, he saw the planks were turned over, but this fact did not giAe him notice the spikes were left in them. The inquiry in regard to the condition of the wagon, whether loaded or not, he naturally would infer related to the removed or displaced plank, and not to the spikes left in them which he had to pass over.

The evidence sustains the judgment, and it is affirmed.