Section 23. The general rule is, that counties are not liable for tort, unless by express provision of statute, or by necessary implication therefrom. The general rule of law, that the superior or employer must answer civilly for the negligence or want of skill of his agent or servant in the course or line of his employment, by which another is injured, does not apply to counties. They stand on a different footing, in this respect, from individuals and private corporations, and from municipal corporations proper, such as cities or towns, acting under charters or incorporating statutes.20

20 Counties are involuntary quasi corporations, being political or civil divisions of the State, created by general laws, to aid in the administration of government. The statute prescribes all their duties, and imposes all the liabilities to which they are subject, and, unless made so by express legislative enactment, they are not liable to persons injured by the wrongful neglect of duty or wrongful acts of their officers or agents, done in the course of the execution of corporate powers or in the performance of corporate duties. Symonds vs. Clay County, 71 III., 355. 21 Ely vs. Niagara County, 36 N.Y., 297; Hill vs. Rensselaer County, 53 (Hun.) N. Y., 194.