Sargent v. Inhabitants of Bristol
U.S. Circuit Court for the District of Maine
Assumpsit to recover reasonable compensation for services rendered as a detective on employment by a town agent. The case was tried upon the general issue, and a verdict was rendered for the plaintiff [Moses Sargent], whereupon the defendants moved for a new trial for misdirection by the court.
1Opinion of the Court
FOX, District Judge.
By the law of Maine, towns are made liable to the owners of any buildings injured or destroyed by a mob, for three-fourths of the injury if it exceeds fifty dollars, if the owner uses all reasonable diligence to prevent such injuries and to procure the conviction of the offenders; and the town paying such sum may recover it in an action of the case against the person doing the injury.
In April, 184S, Breitman & Sons were the owners of a porgy oil factory in the town of Bristol, which was destroyed under such circumstances that the town was responsible to the owners for…
2Cases cited3 opinions
- Knowlton v. Inhabts. of Plantation No. 4Supreme Judicial Court of Maine · 1836
- Inhabitants of Augusta v. LeadbetterSupreme Judicial Court of Maine · 1839
- Inhabitants of Pittston v. ClarkSupreme Judicial Court of Maine · 1839
3Cited by1 opinion
- Tate v. JohnsonIdaho Supreme Court · 1919