Pennsylvania & Poughkeepsie Railroad v. Root

The opinion of the court was delivered by

Beasley, Chief Justice.

This was a proceeding to condemn lands for railroad purposes. The property so sought to be taken was part of a farm.

The first question presented for the consideration of this court is, whether, in such an injury before a jury, on appeal to the Circuit Court, it is lawful to ask a witness, who is a farmer acquainted with the value of farm land in the neighborhood of the property condemned, what, in his opinion, is the market value of the farm in question before the running of the railroad through it, and what is its value after…