State v. Phillips Petroleum Co.

Ed. F. MoFaddin, Justice.

This appeal necessitates a research into the common law doctrine of bona vacantia • — that is, “vacant goods” or “unclaimed property” or “personal property without an owner.”

The State of Arkansas, on the relation of the Attorney General, filed a complaint in the Pulaski Circuit Court against the Phillips Petroleum Company, which complaint — omitting caption and signature — reads as follows ;

“The plaintiff, State of Arkansas, alleges that the defendant, Phillips Petroleum Company, is a Delaware corporation lawfully authorized to do business in Arkansas, where it is…