Turner v. Big Lake Oil Co.

The primary question for determination here is whether or not the defendants in error, without negligence on their part, may be held liable in damages for the destruction or in jury to property occasioned by the escape of salt water from ponds constructed and used by them in the operation of their oil wells. The facts are stated in the opinion of the Court of Civil Appeals (62 S. W. (2d) 491), and will be but briefly noted in this opinion.

The defendants in error in the operation of certain oil wells in Reagan County constructed large artificial earthern ponds or pools into which they ran the…