Richmond v. Hog Creek Oil Co.

In the early spring of 1917, and prior to the development of any oil or gas in what is known as the Desdemona oil field, B. J. Johnson, B. H. Turner, and J. W. C'arruth conceived the idea of securing a block of leases, to the end that that field might be tested for oil. Pursuant to that purpose, and with that explanation, B. J. Johnson approached the appellant W. L. Richmond, and secured from him and his wife, Mrs. M. A. Richmond, a lease contract covering their rural homestead, dated June 17, 1917. The contract purported on its face to have been duly acknowledged by one J. B. McEntire.…