General Crude Oil Company v. Aiken

COLLINGS, Justice.

Edwin Aiken brought this suit against General Crude Oil Company. He alleged that his 3,707 acre ranch had been permanently damaged and suffered a decrease in value in the amount of $20 per acre because of an alleged salt water pollution caused by the defendant’s negligence. Defendant oil company answered and alleged that it was the owner of an oil and gas lease on plaintiff’s land, that it had drilled ten wells thereon, most of which were dry holes and not productive, but that three of the wells were commercially productive and that plaintiff was receiving royalty payments…