Bartholomew v. Clausen

This was an action for specific performance of an alleged contract of sale of mineral rights, brought by the vendee against the vendor. The judgment was for defendant, and the plaintiff appeals. The principal contention of the plaintiff is that certain correspondence exchanged between the parties constituted a contract of sale, while the defendant denies that it did, and also contends that the plaintiff is prevented from maintaining the action by operation of the doctrine of laches.

The defendant owned 160 acres of land in Payne county, Okla., but lived in the state of Iowa. The plaintiff…