Ruffin T. Lowry v. The Atlantic Refining Company

The parties to this appeal dispute the ownership of leasehold rights in certain oil-bearing lands in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. A primary issue at the trial in federal district court was whether the heirs of Alcide A. LeBourgeois accepted a succession under the pertinent provisions of the Louisiana Civil Code. The district court required the jury to return special verdicts on this issue. See F.R.Civ.Proc. 49(a). At the conclusion of the evidence the defendant moved for a directed verdict. F.R.Civ.Proc. 50(a). The Court considered that the motion had “considerable merit” but denied the motion…