Spencer v. Murphy

Appellant set out fire along an irrigating ditch on his own premises to burn weeds that had accumulated in the ditch. The fire caught on the prairie, got beyond his control, or was not properly attended to to prevent its spreading; was thought to have been exhausted or harmless. The next day, with increased wind and a change of direction, it reached the prem*454ises of appellee, destroying some personal property and winter pasture or grass, about 50 acres in extent. The suit was brought for $129.35 before a justice of the peace. Among the items going to make up the amount was labor of plaintiff,…