31-116. History: G.S. 1868, ch. 118, § 2; R.S. 1923, 31-116; Repealed, L. 1972, ch. 157, § 20; July 1. CASE ANNOTATIONS 1. Willful setting of fire and negligence, essential to recovery. Emerson v. Gardiner, 8 Kan. 452, 455. 2. Railroad company not liable when no negligence shown. M.K.& T. Rly. Co. v. Davidson, 14 Kan. 349, 351. 3. Defendant liable if he intentionally set fire to the prairie. Hunt v. Haines, 25 Kan. 210. 4. Section purely remedial; does not abrogate the common law. Jarret v. Apple, 31 Kan. 693, 695, 3 P. 571. 5. Company not liable in absence of carelessness or negligence. A.T.& S.F. Rld. Co. v. Dennis, 38 Kan. 424, 426, 17 P. 153. 6. Fire carried by unanticipated gale and whirlwind; "prairies" defined and construed; question for jury. Cattle Co. v. Kline, 51 Kan. 23, 27, 32 P. 628. 7. Without proof of negligence no recovery unless fire intentional. Johnston v. Marriage, 74 Kan. 208, 210, 86 P. 461, 87 P. 74. 8. Section cited in considering railroad liability for damages by fire. A.T.&S.F. Rld. Co. v. Matthews, 174 U.S. 96, 101, 19 S. Ct. 609, 43 L.Ed. 909. Previous | Next LEGISLATIVE COORDINATING COUNCIL General Policies 2026 Archived LCC Documents Archived LCC Meetings REVISOR OF STATUTES Archived Session Documents Archived School Finance Documents USEFUL LINKS Session Laws Kansas Administrative Regulations OTHER LEGISLATIVE SITES Kansas Legislature Administrative Services Division of Post Audit Research Department Contact Us PDF Help www.ksrevisor.gov 2026