Molk v. Daviess County Agricultural ( 1895 )

Reinhard, C. J.

This action was brought by the appellant to recover of the appellee a premium of $75 on account of being the successful competitor in a certain horse race had in connection with the appellee’s county fair in September, 1892. The overruling of the motion for a new trial is tlie sole error relied upon. It is insisted that the finding is not supported by the evidence.

Filed May 28, 1895.

The defense to the action was that when the race was called it was late in the evening, and the judges decided to postpone it till next, morning, and so announced; that the by-standers demanded that the race proceed; that the riders, probably in the mistaken belief that the signal had been given, started the horses and ran the race after it had been declared "off.” There was evidence to sustain the theory of the defense. A reasonable discretion must be allowed those in charge of the fair to determine when the races shall terminate for a given day. The presumption is that the judges of the races acted fairly and were within the exercise of a sound discretion when they declared the race postponed till the following day. There is nothing to show that they violated their rules or acted in bad faith. There is evidence tending to prove that the race was run in obedience to the clamor of the by-standers, and after it had been postponed by the judges; that it was postponed till next morning, when it came off; that the appellant knew of the postponement and protested against it; that on the next morning he declined to enter the race, and that the premium money was paid to the winner. If the court believed this evidence it did not err in its conclusion.

Judgment affirmed.