Phelps v. Justiss Oil Co.

David Newbern, Justice.

This case involves a question of title to mineral rights. Justiss Oil Company, Inc., Amoco Production Company, and Arkansas Louisiana Gas Company, are purchasing oil and gas being produced on the land in question. They have placed royalty funds in the registry of the court and brought an interpleader action to ascertain to whom the funds are owed.

The interpleaded parties all trace their mineral rights claims to J. Ira Phelps. All acknowledge that J. Ira Phelps owned the land but that his title was not of record when he conveyed it on January 30, 1919, to J. G. Matthews.…