Cattle guards at crossings; duties as to gates

When any railroad runs through any improved and fenced farm lands and between an occupied dwelling and other main farm buildings; or wherever at the time of the passage of this act, any railroad right of way lies alongside of and contiguous to a public highway through any improved and fenced farm land upon which is a dwelling actually occupied as a farm residence, and it is necessary for the occupants of such dwelling to pass across the right of way of the railroad in order to reach the main public highway or get to their farm lands to cross the railroad, then and in either case the railroad company shall, at the request in writing of the owner of such farm, make and maintain proper cattle guards on such railroad on both sides of the crossing so used for farm purposes. It shall not be necessary for the occupants of such land to keep the gates in the fences at such farm crossings closed where such cattle guards are installed except that the railroad company shall not be responsible for damage done to stock at such crossing described under this act when the gates at such crossing are open.