US SUPREME COURT DECISIONS

FARMERS' LOAN & TRUST CO. V. GALESBURG, 133 U. S. 156 (1890)

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U.S. Supreme Court

Farmers' Loan & Trust Co. v. Galesburg, 133 U.S. 156 (1890)

Farmers' Loan and Trust Company v. Galesburg

No. 887

Submitted January 9, 1890

Decided January 27, 1890

133 U.S. 156

APPEAL FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE UNITED

STATES FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS

Syllabus

The City of Galesburg, Illinois, by an ordinance, granted to one Shelton, and his assigns, in May, 1883, a franchise for thirty years to construct and maintain water works for supplying the city and its inhabitants with water for public and private uses, the city to pay a specified rent for fire hydrants and a tariff being fixed for charges for water to consumers. In December, 1883, the water works were completed by a water company to which Shelton had assigned the franchise, and a test required by the ordinance was satisfactorily made, and the city, by a resolution, accepted the works. The water furnished by the company for nine months was unfit for domestic purposes. After November, 1884, the supply of water was inadequate for the protection of the city from fire, and its quality was no better than before. During eighteen months after December, 1883, the company had ample time to comply with the contract. The city, by a resolution passed June 1, 1885, repealed the ordinance, and then gave notice to the company that it claimed title to certain old water mains which it had conditionally agreed to sell to Shelton, and of chanrobles.com-red

Page 133 U. S. 157

which the company had taken possession. The city then took possession of the old mains and in June, 1885, filed a bill in equity against the water company to set aside the contract contained in the ordinance and the agreement for the sale of the old mains. In August, 1883, the company executed a mortgage to a trustee on the franchise and works, to secure sundry bonds, which were sold to various purchasers in 1884 and 1880. The interest on them being in default, the trustee foreclosed the mortgage by a suit brought in November, 1885, and the property was bought by a committee of the bondholders in November, 1886. In February, 1886, the trustee had been made a party to the suit of the city. After their purchase, the members of the committee were also made parties, and they filed a cross-bill praying for a decree for the amount due by the city for water rents and for the restoration to them of the old mains, and for an injunction against the city from interfering with the operation of the works. After issue, proofs were taken,

Held:



























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