Magnolia Petroleum Co. v. Stinson

Glen A. Stinson sued Magnolia Petroleum Company, a corporation, and Peterson Drilling Company, in the county court, to recover for damages to his sheep, cattle and pasture from the alleged negligent pollution of his water supply. Issue was joined and the county judge sat as both judge and jury. When the plaintiff rested, a peremptory instruction was granted to the drilling company, the driller of the well in question, because it had already been released by the owner prior to the injury complained of. At the conclusion of all of the evidence, the court found for the plaintiff and assessed his…