Larrabee v. Inhabitants of Peabody

The plaintiff was injured by falling into a trench near a public building used for a town-house and school-house, and brought this action of tort against the town to recover dam ages for the injury. It is not contended that the town is liable as for a defect in a highway. The trench was not in the highway, nor in dangerous proximity to it. But the plaintiff contends that the trench was in dangerous proximity to the way or path leading to the town-house; and that the town is liable to the same extent as a private owner who invites persons to enter his hall would be. If we assume, in favor of…