Steffes v. Allen

On October 29, 1937, plaintiffs, who are the owners of farm lands in Allegan county, entered into an oil development lease with defendant, an oil driller and contractor. Thereafter, on April 18, 1938, plaintiffs executed an oil lease on the same property to the Daily Crude Oil Company; and on February 6,1939, they filed their bill of complaint asking that the court decree defendant’s lease as of no force and effect in order to remove the lease as a cloud upon title. Plaintiffs had a decree in their favor, and defendant appeals.

The pertinent portion of the lease between the plaintiffs and…