Western Union Telegraph Co. v. Smith

Opinion of the Court by

Judge Hurt

Reversing.

The appellee, B. F. Smith, was engaged in the service of the Consolidation Coal Company, in the town of Jenkins, on May 9th, 1913. His mother and brother, M. L. Smith, resided at Cuckoo, Louisa County, Virginia, near Fredricks Hall. The Western Union Telegraph Company had an office at Fredricks Hall, and lines extending from there to Ashland, Pikeville,. Shelby, and Jenkins. It seems from the evidence in the case, that a message sent over the telegraph line from Fredricks Hall to Jenkins, passed through Pikeville, Ashland, and Shelby. For some reason…