Legal Opinion

Western Union Telegraph Co. v. Raines

Supreme Court of Arkansas

Decided April 30, 1906PublishedCited by 9 opinions

Appeal from Dallas Circuit Court; Z. T. Wood, Judge; 1. There was no actionable wrong, even for nominal damages. “All messages * * * shall be transmitted in the order of their delivery.” Sand. & H. Digest, § 7331. A telegraph company has the right to establish reasonable office hours for its offices.

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Appeal from Dallas Circuit Court; Z. T. Wood, Judge; 1. There was no actionable wrong, even for nominal damages. “All messages * * * shall be transmitted in the order of their delivery.” Sand. & H. Digest, § 7331. A telegraph company has the right to establish reasonable office hours for its offices. Crosswell on Elec. § § 421, 422; 103 Ind. 505; 107 Ky. 600; lb. 829; ■lb. 469; 22 R. I. 344; 62 S. W. 136; 31 S. W. 211; 66 S. W. 17; lb. 592; 43 S. W. 1053. The question of the reasonableness of the hours should be decided by the court, and not by the jury. 52 Ark. 406; 55 Ark. 138; 58 Ark. 334;…

1Opinion of the CourtBattle, J.

This action is for damages alleged to have been caused by delay in the delivery of the following telegram:

“Little Rock, Ark. Oct. 19, 1903.
“Dr. March,
“Fordyce, Ark.
“Operate tomorrow. Tell Scott not home until Thursday.

[Signed] “J. M. Raines."

Plaintiff, J. M. Raines, alleged that this telegram was delivered to the defendant, Western Union Telegraph Company, at its office in Little Rock, Ark., at 6 p. m. on the day of its date, and that, in consideration of fifty cents paid, it undertook to send the telegram promptly; that his wife had been brought to Little Rock for an operation, and that the…

2Cases cited11 opinions

  1. Young v. Western Union Telegraph Co.Supreme Court of North Carolina · 1890
  2. Sherrill v. Western Union Telegraph Co.Supreme Court of North Carolina · 1891
  3. Kennon v. W. U. Telegraph Co.Supreme Court of North Carolina · 1900
  4. Western Union Telegraph Co. v. KirkpatrickTexas Supreme Court · 1890
  5. Cashion v. Western Union Telegraph Co.Supreme Court of North Carolina · 1899

6 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.

3Cited by9 opinions

  1. Southern Telephone Co. v. KingSupreme Court of Arkansas · 1912
  2. Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway Co. v. MilesSupreme Court of Arkansas · 1909
  3. Western Union Telegraph Co. v. WeniskiSupreme Court of Arkansas · 1907
  4. Southwestern Bell Telephone v. CarterSupreme Court of Arkansas · 1930
  5. Western Union Telegraph Co. v. WoodardSupreme Court of Arkansas · 1907

4 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.

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