John P. Ehlinger, County Judge v. J. E. Clark

Summary

The Texas Supreme Court held that the Fayette County Commissioners’ Court had authority to sell its school mineral estate for non‑cash consideration, affirming the validity of the oil lease, the notes, and the royalty provision, while rejecting the defense that the contract was void and holding the attorney‑fee clause void as an illegal employment contract. The court reversed the lower courts’ denial of recovery on the notes and entered judgment for the plaintiffs.