If freight addressed to a place beyond the usual route of the common carrier who first received it is lost or injured, the common carrier, within a reasonable time after demand for proof that the loss did not occur while the goods were under the common carrier's control, shall give satisfactory proof to the consignor that the loss or injury did not occur while it was in the common carrier's charge, or the common carrier will be liable therefor.
N.D.C.C. § 8-09-06