On This Date in Minnesota History: December 18

December 18, 1905 – The Supreme Court of the United States today upheld the validity of the Minnesota state law holding railroad companies responsible for injuries done to employees through the carelessness of other employees.

The case was that of the Minnesota Iron Company vs. Mark M. Kline. Kline was the engineer of a train on a road in St. Louis County, owned by the iron company and was injured through the failure of a brakeman to set a switch. The jury in the trial court brought in a verdict for $5,000.

The court, however, took the case into its own hands, and ordered that the verdict be set aside on the ground that the state law awarding damages to the servants of corporation because of carelessness on the part of their fellow-servants was unconstitutional. The state supreme court reversed this finding and ordered that the verdict of the jury be carried into effect. That decision was affirmed today.

The Minnesota Iron Company was formed by Charlemagne Tower in the early 1880s.


The Minneapolis Journal; “Kline Wins From Big Iron Company. Verdict of 5,000 for Injury Caused Thru Fellow Employee’s Carelessness Is Upheld.”; Dec. 18, 1905; p. 1.

http://zenithcity.com/zenith-city-history-archives/minnesotas-arrowhead/history-of-the-mesabi-iron-range/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chartowersr.jpg