Samuel M. Wilson legal papers

Abstract

The Samuel M. Wilson legal papers (dated 1893-1932; 0.68 cubic feet; 2 boxes) comprise legal files, clippings, correspondence, and publications that document Judge Samuel M. Wilson's legal cases and professional career.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Samuel M. Wilson legal papers
Date
1893-1929 (inclusive)
Extent
0.68 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Courts -- Kentucky -- History.
Capital punishment -- Kentucky
Corporate lawyers.
Crime -- Politics and government.
Insurance law.
Lawyers -- Kentucky -- Lexington.
Legal files.
Murder.
Railroads.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged by subject.
Finding Aid Author
Carol Street
Preferred Citation
2012ms271: [identification of item], Samuel M. Wilson legal papers, 1893-1929, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Judge Samuel Mackay Wilson (1871-1946) was a Lexington attorney and author, noted for his meticulous scholarship and precise writing style. He was also a collector of books, manuscripts, maps, and photographs. Wilson's main area of interest was early Kentucky history.
Wilson was involved in numerous areas of the law, including insurance, corporate, and estate planning. Wilson had two famous cases. The first was his defense of Kentucky Secretary of State Caleb Powers. Powers was charged in connection with the assassination of Kentucky Governor William Goebel in 1899. After serving as a judge-advocate during World War I, Wilson returned to Kentucky, where he established a successful law practice. In 1920, he served as one of the defense attorneys for Will Lockett, who was accused and later executed for the Lexington murder of 10 year-old Geneva Hardman. During the Lockett trial and jury deliberation, violent crowds outside of the courhouse caused disruption.
Judge Wilson served on numerous civic commissions, where he was active in historical preservation. Wilson played an important role in the preservation of the Henry Clay Estate, Blue Licks Battlefield, and Fort Boonesboro. Wilson organized the Cakes and Ale Club, an annual gathering of Lexingtonians interested in book collecting. He was also a member of the Book Thieves, an organization of local historians and educators who were influential in the creation and development of Special Collections and Archives at the University of Kentucky.
After Wilson's death in 1946, his extensive collection of books, photographs, and personal papers were donated to the University of Kentucky. The Wilson Collection is the foundation on which Special Collections and Archives has been built. Following his wife's death in 1959, the items which she had retained were added to the collection.
Scope and Content
The Samuel M. Wilson legal papers (dated 1893-1929; 0.68 cubic feet; 2 boxes) comprise legal files, clippings, correspondence, and publications that document Samuel M. Wilson's legal cases and professional career. The collection contains legal filings, documents, and correspondence related to a variety of cases that include estate and corporate law. Of particular note are the files and clippings for the Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Will Lockett murder case in 1920. Wilson was one of the lawers appointed in that high-profile case.

Restrictions on Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to researchers by appointment
Use Restrictions
The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.

Contents of the Collection

Personal papers, 1914-1922, undated

Unidentified baby portrait, undated

  • Box 1, folder 1
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Prohibition broadsides, undated

  • Box 1, folder 2
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Correspondence, 1914-1922

  • Box 1, folder 3
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Society Sons of the Revolution correspondence, 1921

  • Box 1, folder 4
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Legal and business files, 1893-1929

Drake Mantel and Tile Company articles of incorporation, 1893-1905

  • Box 1, folder 6
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Powell circuit court costs, 1895

  • Box 1, folder 7
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William A. Easley Masonic Life Association application, bylaws, 1899-1915

  • Box 1, folder 8
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American Trading Company corporate socuments, 1905-1911

  • Box 1, folder 9
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Lexington, Kentucky, post office renovation government contract, 1905-1911

  • Box 1, folder 10
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George C. Webb v. Lexington and Interurban Railway Company court documents, 1911

  • Box 1, folder 11
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H. G. Van Orsdel and Company accounts, 1912

  • Box 1, folder 12
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Anderson v. Cincinnati Car Company clippings, correspondence, 1913-1918

  • Box 1, folder 13
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American Car Company passenger, baggage car specifications, 1911

  • Box 1, folder 13
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Samuel M. Cassidy, intestate Laura Cassidy v. Title Guarantee and Trust Company, 1915

  • Box 1, folder 14
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Lexington Banking and Trust Company property correspondence, 1919

  • Box 1, folder 15
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Laura Taylor Wingo family military record form, 1919

  • Box 1, folder 16
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Perry Circuit Court, Kentucky, attorney court costs, 1919

  • Box 1, folder 17
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Employment requests, 1919

  • Box 1, folder 5
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Broadway, Virginia Avenue, and Cincinnati, New Orleans and Texas Pacific Railway intersections site plan, blueprint, 1919

  • Box 1, folder 18
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Commonwealth of Kentucky v. Will Lockett trial notes, filings, court records, clippings, 1919

  • Box 1, folder 19-21
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Dr. William S. Stucky estate correspondence, tax returns, financial records, life insurance, 1922-1932

  • Box 2, folder 1-5
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Standard Oil Company (Indiana) stockholder documents, 1929

  • Box 2, folder 6
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Legal publications and clippings, 1912-1925

Kentucky Court of Appeals, Caleb Powers v. The Commonwealth of Kentucky, Brief for Appellant, undated

  • Box 2, folder 7
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Kentucky Court of Appeals, Caleb Powers v. The Commonwealth of Kentucky, appeal from Scott Circuit Court, undated

  • Box 2, folder 8
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Insurance Laws from the State of Kentucky from the Kentucky statutes, 1912

  • Box 2, folder 9
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Charter and Ordinances of the City of Corbin in Whitley and Knox Counties, Kentucky, 1912

  • Box 2, folder 10
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Camden, New Jersey, Municipal Electric Lighting Plant Report, 1913

  • Box 2, folder 11
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Southwestern Reporter clippings, 1913

  • Box 2, folder 12
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Law and politics clippings, 1913-1925

  • Box 2, folder 13
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Advance Sheets of the Kentucky Report, 11 December 1920

  • Box 2, folder 14
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Advance Sheets of the Kentucky Report, 9 July 1921

  • Box 2, folder 15
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UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.

Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.

UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.

Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

Requests

No items have been requested.



You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.