Eagle Lake Improvement Co. v. United States

HOLMES, Circuit Judge.

In condemnation proceedings preliminary to the establishment of the Corpus Christi Naval Air Station, the United States acquired title to a mineral leasehold estate theretofore belonging to appellants. A controversy developed as to the value of the estate, and three commissioners were appointed who appraised the aggregate mineral interests at the nominal value of one dollar. Dissatisfied with this determination, appellants demanded a trial de novo before a jury in the district court, which resulted in the entry of judgment upon a jury verdict that the leasehold was…