Hartigan v. Michigan Central Railroad

November 17, 1895, the plaintiff boarded an extra freight train belonging to the defendant, which was not allowed to, and did not, carry passengers, with the intention of stealing a ride. His version of what occurred, briefly stated, is that he was discovered by a brakeman while he was standing on a bumper, holding fast to the ladder which was on the side of a freight car, and was ordered to get off the train while it was going too fast for him to do so with safety. He claims the brakeman threatened to kick him off if he did not go, and started down the ladder as though to put his threat into…