Chicago & Alton Railroad v. Pennell

This was an action brought to recover the value of a certain building, known as the “Normal Hotel,” and the furniture therein, which were destroyed by fire on the night of February 14, 1872.

The track of the Chicago and Alton Eailroad Company crosses the track of the Illinois Central railroad at the town of Normal, ’ At the crossing of the two roads appellant erected a depot building, which was a one-story frame, with a baggage room near by it. The hotel, a frame building four stories high (including the basement) with mansard roof, stood about sixty feet in a south-east direction from the…