G. Wix Unthank papers

Abstract

The G. Wix Unthank papers (dated 1975-2012, bulk 1980-2012; 12.92 cubic feet; 13 boxes, 1 oversize box) comprise case files, case notes, administrative files, correspondence and other papers that document Judge Unthank's career as a District Court Judge for the Eastern District Court of Kentucky.

Descriptive Summary

Title: G. Wix Unthank papers

Date: 1975-2012 (inclusive); 1980-2012 (bulk)

Extent: 12.92 Cubic Feet

Subjects: Judges -- United States.; Court administration -- United States; Judicial process -- United States; Coal mines and mining -- Management; Coal mines and mining -- Kentucky; Social security -- Law and legislation.

Arrangement: Collection is arranged into four series and two subseries. Where possible, original order and original folder names were retained.

Finding Aid Author: Natalie Bishop

Preferred Citation: 2012ms408 : [identification of item], G. Wix Unthank papers, 1975-2012, bulk 1980-2012, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.

Repository: University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History: Judge Green Wix Unthank of Harlan, Kentucky was a District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky from 1980 to 2013. He was nominated by President Carter on December 19, 1979 to a new seat authorized by 92 Stat. 1629 that authorized two additional district judges for the eastern district of Kentucky, making Judge Unthank the first district court judge to designate Pikeville as his duty station.; Judge Unthank was born on June 14, 1923 in Tway, Kentucky to Green Ward Unthank and Estelle Howard Unthank. Judge Unthank attended Loyall High School in 1940, and upon graduating in 1941, enlisted in the United States Army to serve in World War II. Unthank fought as a member of the 509th Paratrooper Battalion. For his service, he earned the Bronze Star Medal and a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in 1943 from a German hand grenade while in enemy territory. He was honorably discharged in 1945.; After the war, Unthank enrolled at the University of Kentucky in Lexington to complete his undergraduate education. In 1949, he enrolled in law school at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida and received his juris doctorate in 1950. Unthank then returned to Kentucky and ran for the office of Harlan County Judge using the campaign slogan, "You'll never be unthankful with Unthank!" He won the election and served as a county judge from 1951 to 1957. After leaving office, Unthank practiced law in Harlan until 1966. He served as the Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky from 1966 to 1969. In 1970, he was elected Commonwealth Attorney for the 26th Judicial District in Harlan, Kentucky, where he served in this capacity until his appointment to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky in 1980.; During his judicial service, Judge Unthank periodically sat by designation on the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Several years after joining the bench, however, he acquired an illness affecting his speech. In 1988, he took senior status and was succeeded by Judge Karl Forester. For the remainder of his service, Judge Unthank took cases that could be handled on the record, primarily appeals from administrative rulings in Social Security cases. According to William H. Fortune, University of Kentucky law professor and former federal public defender for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Judge Unthank was considered an expert on Social Security law, and several of his opinions were published in the Federal Supplement. He served on the district court until his death in 2013.

Scope and Content: The G. Wix Unthank papers (dated 1975-2012, bulk 1980-2012; 12.92 cubic feet; 13 boxes, 1 oversize box) comprise case files, case notes, administrative files, correspondence and other papers that document Judge Unthank's career as a District Court Judge for the Eastern District Court of Kentucky. The bulk of the collection comprises case files, administrative files, and correspondence that detail Unthank's decision-making process and caseload management style. Case files relate both to cases that were resolved in Judge Unthank's district court and to cases that were appealed to the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Cases appealed to the Sixth Circuit include those he considered when he sat on the appeals court by designation. The most well-documented case in the collection is United States v. Jones, a federal conspiracy case involving two coal mining companies located in Floyd County, Kentucky. After a three month-long trial, the Court ruled that the defendants were guilty of violating the Hobbs Act through extortion and the obstruction of interstate commerce by force and violence.; Administrative files and correspondence detail issues such as courtroom automation that are managed by the Eastern District Court in particular and the Federal Judiciary in general. There are also papers documenting Judge Unthank's participation in conferences, seminars, continuing education courses, meetings, and workshops.

Restrictions on Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access: Collection is open to researchers by appointment. Collection contains materials redacted due to privacy concerns, such as social security numbers or personal health information. Access to the original documents is restricted.

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

Case files, 1975-2001, undated

Scope and Contents

This series comprises correspondence, court filings, and other papers that document Social Security appeals, and civil and criminal cases that came before Judge G. Wix Unthank. Files relate both to cases that resolved in Judge Unthank's district court and to cases that were appealed to the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Cases appealed to the Sixth Circuit include those he considered when he sat on the appeals court by designation.

Social Security case files document Judge Unthank's decisions in cases challenging the rulings of the Social Security Administration regarding distributions of Supplemental Security Income and other benefits.

The series is not comprehensive of the cases that came before Judge Unthank. It does, however, include local, high-profile cases such as United States v. Jones (docket number 83-8), in which the government sued a labor union for alleged violations of the Hobbs Act.

Court cases, 1975-1997, undated

Scope and Contents

This subseries comprises case notes, news clippings, correspondence, research files, and docket sheets, transcripts and other court filings that document Judge Unthank's decision-making process in various cases. Files relate both to cases that resolved in Judge Unthank's district court and to cases that were appealed to the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Cases appealed to the Sixth Circuit include those he considered when he sat on the appeals court by designation. This subseries is not comprehensive of the cases considered by Judge Unthank. It does, however, include local, high-profile cases such as United States v. Jones (docket number 83-8), in which the government sued a labor union for alleged violations of the Hobbs Act. Many files include annotations from Judge Unthank and various law clerks. Folder titles consist of case names, docket numbers, and date ranges. Docket number primarily organizes the subseries chronologically. Four folders at the end of the subseries are arranged alphabetically by folder title.