Butterfield v. Forrester

Forrester (defendant), while repairing his house, placed a pole across a public road that partially, but visibly, obstructed it — visible from 100 yards to anyone exercising ordinary care. That evening, Butterfield (plaintiff) rode his horse extremely hard down the road after leaving a public house, failed to see the obstruction because of his reckless riding, crashed into it, and was severely injured. A jury found Butterfield had not exercised ordinary care, ruling for Forrester, and Butterfield appealed.