New York Court of Appeals June 3, 1890 (Kribbs v. . Alford)

Parker, J.

On the 15th day of May, 1880, one Johnson, then being the owner in fee of certain lands, executed and delivered to Thomas Argue an instrument in writing (which for

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convenience will hereafter he termed a lease), which conferred upon the lattei: the exclusive right to produce oil and gas from said land for a period of twelve years.