Richmond v. Drainage Commissioners of Union District No. 1

George K. Richmond, plaintiff appellee in this suit, brought this action against the Drainage Commissioners of Union District No. 1, in Hume and Prophetstown Townships in the county of Whiteside, Illinois, to compel the defendant to construct a bridge across a ditch running through the plaintiff’s farm, and if sufficient funds are not on hand, to levy a tax for that purpose.

In his petition for mandamus the plaintiff claimed that the defendant’s ditch runs through an inclosed field or parcel of land on plaintiff’s farm; that under the law the defendant is required to build and maintain a…