Neiswender

The complaint in this action alleged an agreement under the terms of which plaintiff was to procure for defendants the necessary finances to drill an oil-well or to procure a responsible party or parties so to do. In May, 1927, defendant E. B. Campbell was the owner in fee simple of a lot situated on State Street in Los Angeles County which will be referred to as lot No. 1. Among other properties, Campbell had a half interest as lessee in the property designated as lot No. 8 several blocks away on Obispo Street. The other half interest as lessee belonged to defendant P. M. Reidy. At the time mentioned in the complaint the Obispo well on lot No. 8 had been drilled to the depth of about 3,500 feet. In May, 1927, through a mutual friend, Campbell met appellant and authorized him to secure financing to the extent of fifty per cent of the money required to drill a well on State Street lot, No. 1. Campbell was to furnish steam, pipe, etc. Appellant was to be paid an amount equal to one-sixth of twenty per cent of the so-called land owner’s royalty reserved by Campbell.

Appellant introduced Campbell to representatives of the Rich-field Consolidated Oil Company. After several…