Rouse v. McDonough

RULAND, Judge.

Defendant, Jean McDonough, personal representative for Patrick McDonough, deceased, appeals from a judgment of the trial court ordering the payment of certain royalties to the plaintiff, Jack Rouse, as compensation for services rendered. We affirm.

The relevant facts are not disputed. In 1972, Rouse was retained by the decedent to *107negotiate the purchase of surface rights to certain land in Montana where underlying coal deposits were suspected. The United States government had reserved all rights to the coal, and it was necessary for the decedent to secure the surface rights in…