Smith v. United States

LOGAN, Circuit Judge.

Plaintiffs-appellants Theron S. Smith, Jesse Helzer and Violet Elma Helzer, who own land on the west bank of the South Canadian River in Dewey County, Oklahoma, filed a suit in federal court to quiet title to surface and mineral rights in 147.12 acres of land on the east side of the river. Jurisdiction is based upon 28 U.S.C. § 2409a, since the United States is named a defendant and claims title to the surface and mineral rights of the tract. J. P. Stephen*984son claims to own the surface rights of the land. Amoco Production Company became a party because it has a mineral…