Wilson v. Pennsylvania Rd. Co.

The question presented here is: What constitutes a prima facie case on behalf of a plaintiff in an action against a terminal carrier for damages to a shipment of livestock unaccompanied by the owner or M's caretaker? If upon consideration of the evidence favorable- to plaintiff a prima facie case was made out, the motion of defendant for a directed verdict should have been overruled.

At common law a common carrier was an insurer of freight against all losses except those arising from an act of God, a public enemy, the inherent nature of the goods shipped, the conduct of the shipper, or certain…