Smith v. Chamberlain
South Carolina Supreme Court
17 S.E. 371 (1893)
- Written by Jenny Perry, JD
Facts
Rebecca Smith (plaintiff), a Black woman, sued D.H. Chamberlain (defendant), receiver of the South Carolina Railway Company (the railway) for injuries she sustained at the railway’s depot in Graniteville, South Carolina. Smith alleged that while in the ladies’ passenger room, she tried to purchase a ticket, but the railway’s agent, Fishburne, refused to accommodate her and told her to go to the other passengers’ room. Smith contended that when she refused to leave the ladies’ room, Fishburne physically ejected her, causing bruises and other injuries. The railway contended that Smith was not in a ladies’ room but rather a room reserved for the use of White people and that the room to which Fishburne directed Smith was for Black people. Fishburne also claimed to have informed Smith of the railway’s regulation designating the rooms and denied having used force to remove Smith from the Whites-only room. The jury found for the railway, and Smith appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (McGowan, J.)
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