Sydenstricker

Defendants and cross-complainants Ray Sydenstricker, Bernice Sydenstricker, his wife, and Charlene Marqua, their daughter (hereinafter referred to collectively as “Sydenstrickers”) appeal from the judgments entered in favor of plaintiff Vantress Farms, Inc. (“Vantress”) and defendant and cross-complainant (by interpleader) Buttes Gas and Oil Co. (“Buttes”) et al., respectively. Defendant William McGinnis (“McGinnis”) separately appeals from the same judgments.

The complaint of plaintiff Vantress was for declaratory relief in form. Actually it sought to quiet title and recover as against the Sydenstrickers and McGinnis certain gas and oil rights. 1 The Sydenstrickers and McGinnis *946 joined issue by their answers and the former by a cross-complaint for specific performance and the reformation of a deed. Buttes, the lessee under the community oil and gas lease, was neutral. It interpleaded the parties, deposited into court current amounts due as lessee and ultimately received judgment. The trial was protracted, the facts are lengthy and complicated, but the questions presented are not difficult.

The Facts

The statement of facts will be more readily understandable if we…