Heldenbrand v. Stevenson

The Town of Maysville, Oklahoma, instituted this action against Chickasha Cotton, Oil Company and various other defendants to determine ownership of the mineral rights in and under the right-of-way of Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway Company within the limits of the Town of Maysville. The land involved was originally a portion of the tribal lands of the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations, members of the Five Civilized Tribes of Indians. The defendants fell generally into different categories which included the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations, the original allottees who were still living, all of the owners of lots abutting upon the right-of-way, the railway company, oil and gas lessees, and purchasers of oil being produced from drilling units in which the right-of-way was located. Plaintiff asserted title acquired from the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations under and by virtue of section 14 of the Act approved April 26, 1906, 34 Stat. 137, 142. In the main, the defendants asserted title or rights as allottees or successors in interest of allottees of land abutting upon the right-of-way.