Powers v. Pere Marquette Railroad

The plaintiff’s intestate was killed upon the defendant’s railroad, and this action was brought to recover damages upon the ground of defendant’s negligence. The deceased was an employé of defendant —i. e., a switchman — and just previous to his death was riding upon the footboard in front of defendant’s switch engine. No one witnessed his fall from the engine. He was noticed when under the wheels of the engine of car, and the train was stopped. The negligence alleged is that the footboard was checked in the ends, and was supported by brackets that were too short for the purpose, extending…