Exchange Drilling Co. v. Ring

This is an action to recover permanent damages to land resulting from the flow of oil and salt water from defendant’s oil and gas mining lease.

The cause was tried to the court without a jury, resulting in judgment for plaintiff in the sum of $100, and defendant appeals.

Plaintiff purchased the land in October, 1937, and commenced his action in April, 1938. The land allegedly damaged consisted only of the bed and banks of a small stream on the premises. The evidence indicates that this particular portion of the farm had suffered some damage by pollution prior to the time plaintiff purchased…