Chicago & Northwestern Railway Co. v. Williams
Illinois Supreme Court
Appeal from the Circuit Court of Winnebago county; the Hon. Benjamin E. Sheldon, Judge, presiding. This was an action on the case, brought in the court below by Anna Williams, a colored woman, against the Chicago & Northwestern Eailway Company, to recover damages resulting to the plaintiff by reason of being excluded from the privileges of a car upon the defendants’ road, which had been designated, under the rules of the company, for the exclusive use of ladies., and…
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Appeal from the Circuit Court of Winnebago county; the Hon. Benjamin E. Sheldon, Judge, presiding. This was an action on the case, brought in the court below by Anna Williams, a colored woman, against the Chicago & Northwestern Eailway Company, to recover damages resulting to the plaintiff by reason of being excluded from the privileges of a car upon the defendants’ road, which had been designated, under the rules of the company, for the exclusive use of ladies., and gentlemen accompanied by ladies, the only reason for such exclusion of the plaintiff being on account of her color. Upon a…
1Opinion of the CourtJustice Scott
There is but one question.of any considerable importance presented by the record in this case.
It is simply, whether a railroad company, which, by our statute, and the common law, is a common carrier of passengers, in a case where the company, by their rules and regulations, have designated a certain car in their passenger train for the exclusive use of ladies, and gentlemen accompanied by ladies, can exclude from the privileges of such car a colored woman, holding a first, class ticket, for no other reason except her color.
The evidence in the case establishes these facts—that, as was the…
2Cited by23 opinions
- Aladdin Mfg. Co. v. Mantle Lamp Co. of AmericaCourt of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit · 1941
- Ferguson v. GiesMichigan Supreme Court · 1890
- Pegram v. StortzWest Virginia Supreme Court · 1888
- Fay v. ParkerSupreme Court of New Hampshire · 1872
- United States v. BuntinUnited States Circuit Court · 1882
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