United Fuel Gas Co. v. Hays Oil & Gas Co.

Woods, Judg'e:

This action in ejectment was instituted to recover mineral rights underlying a tract of 8% acres in Roane county. A verdict for defendant was, on motion of plaintiffs, set aside and a new trial awarded, on tbe ground that if the land and the minerals in question belonged to defendants’ immediate grantor, Mary J. Goad, it became forfeited in 1906 to the State for non-payment of taxes, and that after that time title vested in plaintiffs through possession under color of title and payment of taxes for the statutory period.

It appears that in 1854, Samuel Estep, a predecessor in…