State v. Smith

The state of Washington, as petitioner, instituted this action in eminent domain to appropriate a right of way for primary state highway No. 1 (Pacific highway), across certain lands located in Cowlitz county belonging to defendants. About six months after entry of the preliminary order adjudicating public use, the cause was tried to a jury on the question of the amount of compensation to be awarded defendants for the taking of their property.

Two parcels of land are involved in this action: Parcel 1, which is rectangular, contains 3.86 acres, and lies generally northerly and southerly across…