Samuel M. Wilson legal papers
Abstract
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.
- 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
Legal and business files, 1893-1929
Drake Mantel and Tile Company articles of incorporation, 1893-1905
Powell circuit court costs, 1895
William A. Easley Masonic Life Association application, bylaws, 1899-1915
American Trading Company corporate socuments, 1905-1911
Lexington, Kentucky, post office renovation government contract, 1905-1911
George C. Webb v. Lexington and Interurban Railway Company court documents, 1911
H. G. Van Orsdel and Company accounts, 1912
Anderson v. Cincinnati Car Company clippings, correspondence, 1913-1918
American Car Company passenger, baggage car specifications, 1911
Samuel M. Cassidy, intestate Laura Cassidy v. Title Guarantee and Trust Company, 1915
Lexington Banking and Trust Company property correspondence, 1919
Laura Taylor Wingo family military record form, 1919
Perry Circuit Court, Kentucky, attorney court costs, 1919
Employment requests, 1919
Broadway, Virginia Avenue, and Cincinnati, New Orleans and Texas Pacific Railway intersections site plan, blueprint, 1919
Commonwealth of Kentucky v. Will Lockett trial notes, filings, court records, clippings, 1919
Dr. William S. Stucky estate correspondence, tax returns, financial records, life insurance, 1922-1932
Standard Oil Company (Indiana) stockholder documents, 1929
Legal publications and clippings, 1912-1925
Kentucky Court of Appeals, Caleb Powers v. The Commonwealth of Kentucky, Brief for Appellant, undated
Kentucky Court of Appeals, Caleb Powers v. The Commonwealth of Kentucky, appeal from Scott Circuit Court, undated
Insurance Laws from the State of Kentucky from the Kentucky statutes, 1912
Charter and Ordinances of the City of Corbin in Whitley and Knox Counties, Kentucky, 1912
Camden, New Jersey, Municipal Electric Lighting Plant Report, 1913
Southwestern Reporter clippings, 1913
Law and politics clippings, 1913-1925
Advance Sheets of the Kentucky Report, 11 December 1920
Advance Sheets of the Kentucky Report, 9 July 1921
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.
Table of Contents
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.
