Heeter v. Lyon
Heeter v. Lyon
Opinion of the Court
Opinion by
The defendant in this case was the owner of an undivided one eighth interest in a leasehold for oil and gas purposes in Butler county. In the improvement of the property, it was agreed by all interested therein save the defendant (and plaintiff contends with him also), that a new well should be drilled on the premises, the cost of which was to be $2,600. This sum was to be paid to the plaintiff by the owners, in proportion to their respective interests. All of the owners, save the defendant, went on the ground and fixed the location of the new well and .directed the manner in which it was to be drilled. The plaintiff contends that the matter was subsequently brought to the attention of the defendant, who ratified the contract, and agreed to pay his share of the $2,600, and on the faith of this promise, the work was done in a manner to which there was no
The question was fairly submitted to the jury, who were told “ if there was no agreement or consent of Mr. Lyon with Mr. fleeter, so to drill this well, then the verdict must be for the defendant, because the majority consenting to it would not bind him; but if the well was drilled, which is admitted, and if its drilling would have benefited Mr. Lyon and it is admitted it would have, then if Mr. Lyon consented to its drilling, etc., joining in with the others although not in writing, then he would be liable to pay his share, whatever that share is reasonably worth.” This was a fair submission of the only question in controversy, to the only tribunal authorized to dispose of it.
The assignments of error are overruled and the judgment is affirmed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.