Hugo Black

“ The act (the pertinent part of which is set out below) [1] provides that a purchaser of oil can extinguish the indebtedness for the oil (as against all other parties) by paying the person who drilled and sold it under a lease from the last 'record owner,' if the recorded instrument of conveyance is sufficient to pass title in Louisiana, and in the absence of any suit filed to test the title of the land or oil or due notice by registered mail of the filing of such suit. ”

“ Although nearly 11 years have elapsed since deed was made to Best and Spurr and almost 4 years since appellant purchased, received, and did not pay for the oil, the record does not disclose that there has been any other claimant or purported owner of the land nor does it show any effort by appellant to pay the money into court for the benefit of a 'true owner,' as it might under Louisiana law. ”

“ Shell Petroleum Corp. v. Carter, 187 La. 382, 175 So. 1; see Cassard v. Woolworth, 165 La. 571, 575, 115 So. 755.
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