Tyrrell v. Lockhart

Blackford, J.

Lockhart brought an action of trespass on the case against Tyrrell, S. Tindall, G. W. Tindall, Dockery, Medlock, Aldridge, Pullum, and French.-

The declaration charges that the defendants, on the 21st of December, 1830, at the county of Martin, in this state, built a fish dam, of wood and stone, across the east fork of White river, in the said county; the said east fork of White river then and there being a navigable stream. The declaration states further, that the plaintiff’s boat, as he was descending the river with it, struck on the dam obstructing the free navigation of the river, and continued there for twenty days; during which time said navigable stream became frozen over, áse.

The defendants all pleaded not guilty, except Aldridge, who made default.

The jury, after hearing the testimony, were directed by the Court, with consent of parties, to seal up their verdict when agreed on, and return it into Court on the following morning. The jury retired, sealed up their verdict, dispersed to their respective homes, and gave in their verdict on the next day. By their verdict, they found for the plaintiff 100 dollars in damages; that Aldridge, £. Tindall, and Tyrrell, were guilty, and should each pay 33 dollars and 33£ cents; and that the other defendants were not guilty. The Court, on motion of the plaintiff, directed the jury to retire to their room and amend their verdict. The jury accordingly retired, and afterwards returned a verdict by which they found Aldridge, S. Tindall, and Tyrrell, guilty, and the other defendants not guilty; and assessed the plaintiff’s damages at 100 dollars. The Court gave judgment for the plaintiff conformably to this last verdict.

The plaintiffs in error make three objections to these proceedings:

First, that the declaration does not allege that the stream is a “public highway,” nor that the place where the dam was built, was between the points on the river between which the river is declared by the act to be navigable. The act of 1824, relied on by the counsel for the plaintiffs in error, declares that the east fork of White river, from the main forks to the main fork above the mouth of Flat Rock, shall be considered a public highway. The declaration alleges the river to be a navigable stream, and the dam to be erected across it within the county of Martin. This, we think, is sufficient, after a verdict., The statute is a public one, and the place laid is between the points described in the act.

The second objection is, that the sealed verdict was conclusive, and could not be altered by the jury. This objection cannot be sustained. The sealed verdict could amount to nothing more than a privy verdict, and was not binding on the jury. The first verdict, severing the damages as to the defendants found guilty, was erroneous; Palmer v. Crosby, November term, 1821; and the Court did right in directingthe jury to amend it.

E. M. Huntington and A. Kinney, for the plaintiffs.

J. H. Farnham, for the defendant.

The third objection is, that no judgment was rendered in favour of the defendants who were found not guilty. Those defendants, to be sure, were entitled to a judgment that they should go without day, and recover their costs. They do not appear, however, to have asked for a judgment, and have therefore no reason to complain that it was not rendered.

Per Curiam.

The judgment is aifirmed with 5 per cent. damages and costs. To be certified, &c.