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48 NORTH DAKOTA REPORTS

was destroyed by the fire. Pierce further testified that he had been in the oil business for 12 years; that he never permitted gasoline to be drawn from one container to another when there was any living flame or fire near; that he did not use nor allow lighted lanterns around the plant; that he was always on the lookout for them; that the lantern was an ordinary railroad lantern with a mark of the Soo Line upon the globe; that during the time he had been working there, some 214 months, the trainmen of the Soo had been there some eight or ten times to get kerosene or gas; that an engineer had gotten some steam cylinder oil there; that some 2 or 3 weeks before one of the trainmen borrowed a five-gallon can, filled with gasoline, which he took down to the train and emptied, returning the empty can. The farmer testified that he saw the conductor walk into the office; then he was standing between two doors watching his team tied outside; that the conductor had a two- gallon can with him and carried a lighted lantern in his hand. He asked in a jolly way if he could get some high-test gas. The farmer got an idea that it was for his lantern. Pierce got up, took his can, and walked to the other end of the building to a barrel. The conductor walked right behind him with his lantern, He saw Pierce tipping a barrel and saw the flames shoot up.

Pursuant to the conductor’s testimony, he was in charge of a mixed train that ran from Sanish to Max and return. He lived at Sanish. In his home he had and used a gasoline lamp. On the day in question he left Sanish early in the morning. He took a gasoline can with him. It did not bear a stamp of the Soo Line and did not belong to the Soo Railway. It was painted red with the word “gasoline” thereon. Upon the arrival of the train at Parshall they went to supper, loaded some freight, did some switching, and then he went to the oil station. Upon arrival he saw nobody in sight. He hallooed. Pierce came to the door. He inquired what the chances were to get some gas, and Pierce replied “Good.” He put down his gasoline can and his lantern, which he was carrying, on the platform outside. Pierce picked up the can and the lantern and went inside. He requested him, the conductor, to come in. He went in and over to the barrel. He wanted gasoline for this lamp at home. Once before he had been there to get some gasoline which he took home with him on the train. He told Pierce that he was careless in handling oil. He saw him spill some on the plank floor. When he came in Pierce was pouring some oil out of his five-gallon can. The