Law and Judiciary

Helen June Knox Loughran Papers, 1948-2011 (K1256)
1 c.f.

 Finding Aid

Personal papers of former Kansas Citian, Librarian and Clerk of the United States Supreme Court. Includes correspondence, records of a trip to Europe, genealogical information and photographs of family. Also photographs of Supreme Court Justices, friends and co-workers at the Court

Louisiana Territory, District of St. Charles Grand Jury Papers, 1811 (C1750)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

True presentments of the grand jurors, November term, 1811, Court of Quarter Sessions, District of St. Charles, Territory of Louisiana. Resolutions concern giving the people of the district a voice in the making of laws and protection from Indians on the frontier.

Ralph F. Lozier Papers, 1855-1945 (C2655)
65.75 cubic feet, 5 volumes

 Finding Aid

Correspondence, pamphlets, speeches, and newsclippings related to Lozier's legal, agricultural, and political careers. Research notes for and copies of Lozier's two historical novels (check contract if publication request occurs). Campaign papers of Lue C. Lozier.

John Armenius Mack Papers, 1850-1869 (R0742)
(1 folder)

 Finding Aid

The John Armenius Mack Papers contain photocopies of the correspondence of John A. Mack, an attorney and county official of Greene County, Missouri. Most of the collection consists of letters to his sons, who were serving in the Union Army in Missouri and Arkansas. There are also postwar letters to Mack from Jefferson City, containing political news.

Madison County, Missouri, Justice of the Peace Records, 1841-1845 (C1157)
0.03 cubic feet (1 volume)

 Finding Aid

Records of Justice of the Peace Caleb Cox.

Arthur Mag Papers, 1921-1981 (K0092)
9 c.f.

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Personal and civic papers of a prominent attorney and civic leader in Kansas City

Samuel Collier Major Papers, 1861-1884 (C0368)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

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A letter, 5 April 1861, listing law books and where they might be purchased; a handbill for an administrator's sale, 6 June 1876; and a handwritten legal bond, 6 October 1884. Major was a public administrator.

Joseph John Maloney Papers, 1924-1992 (K0423)
13 c.f.

 Finding Aid

Personal papers, research and background materials, writings and other documents from an investigative reporter for the Kansas City Star and an author and poet.

Jeremiah Massie Legal Papers, 1836-1838 (C3445)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

The papers include transcripts of a court case in which Massie, formerly of Sangamon County, Illinois, was convicted of larceny from a steamboat; letters of support for Massie; a clemency petition signed by the citizens of Sangamon County, including Abraham Lincoln; and the pardon, signed by Missouri Governor Lilburn W. Boggs.

Paul M. McCue Receipt, 1855 (C2041)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

The collection contains a receipt for payment for land at an office at Plattsburg, MO.

Samuel Johnson McCulloch Papers, 1887-1905 (K0023)
0.20 c.f. (4 folders)

 Finding Aid

Business and household financial accounts for McCulloch, a Kansas City lawyer, and his wife, Nellie B. McCulloch. Also letters to McCulloch with regard to his published books.

Thomas F. McDonald Papers, 1912-1971 (S0928)
1 cubic foot

 Finding Aid

The papers of Thomas F. McDonald contain correspondence, yearbook pages, and personal papers pertaining to McDonald's law career and presidency of the St. Louis Bar Association.

Ira B. McLaughlin Scrapbooks, 1930-1938 (K0283)
0.3 c.f.

 Finding Aid

Scrapbooks concerns cases handled by attorney McLaughlin. They are chiefly comprised of newspaper clippings documenting the investigations and trials of such crimes as murder, bank robbery, burglary, a custody dispute, bombing, bootlegging, and labor and election violence.

Theodore McMilllian Papers, 1990-2000 (S0932)
1 cubic foot

 Finding Aid

Theodore McMillian was the first African American to serve on the Missouri Court of Appeals, and the first African American to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Collection includes Federal Judicial Ceneter Media Library audio cassettes; Committee on Tribal Justice files and old speeches; and two books.

Lewis E. Meador Papers, 1904-1982 (R0674)
1 cubic foot (47 folders)

 Finding Aid

These are papers of L. E. Mador, an economist, political scientist, and civic leader in Springfield, Missouri. Included are materials concerning Springfield's Charter Commission (1952) , Missouri state government, and Wiilson's Creek National Battlefield.

James H. Meredith Papers, 1961-1987 (S0472)
56 cubic feet, 1 microfilm roll

 Finding Aid

James H. Meredith was a United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri. Between 1972-1981, Meredith oversaw the legal battle to desegregate the St. Louis Public Schools. In 1979, he ruled that the St. Louis City Board of Education did not hold the responsibility for racial imbalance in city schools. When the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed his ruling, Meredith became committed to voluntary desegregation. The collection includes seven scrapbooks containing newspaper clippings, memorabilia, and photographs.

Walter E. Meyer Papers, 1889-1958 (C2638)
54.4 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

The papers of Walter E. Meyer contain materials collected and used by Meyer in several suits on behalf of the minority stockholders of St. Louis Southwestern Railroad (Cotton Belt).

Clelland D. Miller Notes, 1872 (C2631)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

Notes while awaiting trial for the robbery of the Corydon, IA, bank in November 1872.

James R. Miller Papers, 1943-1991 (K0733)
4 c.f.

Contains files, scrapbooks, photographs and tape recordings relevant to Miller's career in law enforcement with an emphasis on the administration of the Clay County, Missouri jail and notes on his World War II intelligence work, including war crimes investigations.

Jacob LeRoy Milligan Scrapbooks, 1917-1968 (C3645)
1 roll of microfilm (2 volumes)

 Finding Aid

Scrapbooks of clippings about Jacob LeRoy Milligan and Maurice M. Milligan. They contain information on Richmond, Ray County, Missouri; the law firm of Roberts, Milligan and Milligan; Company C, 140th Infantry Regiment, 35th Division, U.S. Army [6th Regiment, Missouri Infantry]; and Maurice's prosecution of Thomas Pendergast.

Maurice M. Milligan Report, 1939 (C0665)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

Statement of the facts in a case against T.J. Pendergast involving income tax evasion, 1939. Milligan was an attorney for the prosecution.

James L. Minor Letter, 1843 (C1538)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

To the Circuit Clerk of Boone County, Columbia, MO, from City of Jefferson, MO, Jan. 18, 1843.

Letter enclosing certified copy of an act passed by the 12th General Assembly and approved by Governor Thomas Reynolds. Act amended the practice of law and established the terms of Missouri circuit and justice courts and the St. Louis court of common pleas.

Missouri Association of Probate and Associate Circuit Judges Records, 1914-1979 (C3658)
1.2 cubic feet (75 folders, 3 volumes)

 Finding Aid

Minutes, bylaws, correspondence, resolutions, association histories, probate decisions and financial reports of the Missouri Association of Probate and Associate Circuit Judges from its founding in 1914 as the Missouri Probate Judges’ Association to 1979. The organization has also been called the Missouri Association of Probate Judges and the Missouri Association of Probate and Magistrate Judges during the course of its history.

Missouri Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants (CURE) Records, 1990-2021 (S0292)
6 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

The Missouri Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants (CURE) Records consist of correspondence, newsletters, booklets, and flyers, documenting its efforts to ensure that prisons are reserved only for those individuals that must be incarcerated and that those individuals receive humane treatment.

The Missouri Collection, 1771-2024 (C3982)
18.6 cubic feet (854 folders, 893 photographs), 37 oversize items, 9 audio cassettes, 7 audio discs, 9 CDs, 1 computer disc, 1 film, 6 film strips, 9 DVDs, 3 video cassettes, 583 MB of digital files

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

The Missouri Collection is an artificial collection combining miscellaneous small acquisitions related to Missouri places, individuals, organizations, and events.

Missouri Institute for Justice, Inc. Records, 1964-2007 (K0599)
20 c.f.

Records of an organization created to educate citizens and lawyers about the "Missouri Nonpartisan Court Plan", an amendment to the Missouri Constitution approved in 1940. Includes minutes, correspondence, reports, publications, and financial records. Also project files for the Law Student Ordinance Revision Program and film footage for an educational series entitled, "Your Day in Court".

Missouri Territory. Cape Girardeau Court of Common Pleas List of Cases, 1809 (C1907)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

List of cases for the March term of court.

Missouri, Boone County, Prosecuting Attorney Records, 1948 (CA5603)
0.1 cubic feet

Correspondence, affidavits, testimony, and other investigative materials regarding sexual activities at the University of Missouri and in Columbia, MO.

Boone County, Missouri, Circuit Court Records, 1839 (C2690)
0.2 cubic feet (22 folders)

 Finding Aid

Records of the Boone Circuit Court in three cases against Joseph Smith, Jr., Caleb Baldwin, Parley P. Pratt, King Follett, and others resulting from the Mormon War. Others are on file in the Circuit Court Office, Boone County, MO.

Missouri. Columbia. Police Records, 1882-1946 (C2380)
12 rolls of microfilm

 Finding Aid

Police court dockets, 1882-1939; call books, 1931-1939; records of arrests, convictions, and fines, 1931-1946; and miscellaneous papers, 1929-1937.

Montgomery County, Missouri, Bear Creek Township Justice of the Peace Docket Book, 1847-1852 (C3811)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

Record of court proceedings and stray livestock. Cases concern settlement of debts, loan repayments, damage suits, breach of the peace, and assault and battery. Donor-compiled index included.

Persia, Missouri, Bond, 1820 (C2551)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

Bond for purchase of land in town of Persia, signed by town trustees Obadiah Babbitt, John Lefler, and Nathaniel Patten.

Scotland County, Missouri, Justice of the Peace Docket, 1841-1848 (C1245)
0.04 cubic feet (1 volume)

 Finding Aid

The collection contains a justice of the peace docket from Maidenkirk Township, Scotland County, Missouri. Includes names of defendants and plaintiffs and outcome of the cases. Some stray livestock records.

Missouri. 6th Circuit Court, Pettis County, Record Book, 1870-1875 (C1202)
0.14 cubic feet (1 volume)

 Finding Aid

Record book of court cases, containing synopsis of each case, listing witnesses, and giving the outcome.

Missouri 2nd Circuit Court Judgments, 1821-1863 (C1072)
0.2 cubic feet (1 volume)

 Finding Aid

Information pertaining to cases presented in the court, including the names of the parties involved; date of judgment; nature of action; amounts of debts, damages, and costs; and the manner of satisfaction. Cases are listed alphabetically, and chronologically within, for the most part.

Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, St. Louis Chapter, Records, 1989-2020 (S0316)
6.5 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

The collection contains correspondence, press releases, and newspaper clippings pertaining to the group's efforts to abolish the death penalty in Missouri.

Thomas C. Mitchell Jr. Papers, 1915-1966 (C4106)
0.4 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

The papers of Thomas C. Mitchell, Jr. document the life of a Jefferson City man appointed by Missouri Governor John M. Dalton to the state appellate court panel. The papers consist mostly of correspondence regarding the nomination and selection of state supreme court justices. The collection also contains photographs, deeds, flight logs, and other materials obtained throughout Mitchell's life.

William Muldrow Papers, 1848-1869 (C1902)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

Deeds, copies of deeds, and other legal papers pertaining to a suit of Muldrow against John A. Sutter.

John B. Mussey Letter, 1849 (C1606)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

The collection contains a letter to John Hall, Carlisle, Nicholas County, KY, from New Liberty, Owen County, KY, May 26, 1849. Mussey, Hall's lawyer, wrote about land titles and the settlement of R.T. Squire's estate. Hall was estate administrator and guardian of Squire's child.

W.B. Napton Letter, 1857 (C1879)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

To C.F. Jackson, Oct. 3, 1857. Letter discussing at length the necessity of salaries to attract good Missouri Supreme Court judges; combating the growing discussion of emancipation of the slaves; Missouri politics; and the completion of the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad.

Earl F. Nelson Papers, 1862-1945 (C0148)
0.2 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

Two Civil War letters; World War II letters; miscellaneous correspondence of Nelson family; speeches by Nelson on U.S. Constitution, history of Sullivan County, and proposal of new Missouri constitution; University of Missouri Law School Foundation bulletin; notes; and other miscellaneous material.

Judge Ann Quill Niederlander Papers, 1978-2001 (S0950)
4 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

The Judge Ann Quill Niederlander Papers contains correspondence, photographs, legal materials, and rewards documenting Quill's service as a magistrate and associate circuit judge for the 21st Judicial Circuit in St. Louis County from 1978 to 1985.

John Andrew Nooney Papers, 1882-1939 (S0166)
0.02 cubic feet, 3 folders, 2 daybooks, 1 scrapbook, and 16 photographs

 Finding Aid

The collection contains correspondence, daybooks, photographs, and photographs documenting John Nooney’s career as a patrolman for the St. Louis Police Department.

North Kansas City Levee District v. Forever Green of Missouri, LLC Papers, 1819-2009 (K1111)
80 c.f.

 Finding Aid

Research files including legal documents, government records, corporate records, correspondence, minutes, photographs, maps, and plans.

Frank Joseph O'Leary Papers, 1911-1974 (K0976)
7 c.f.

O'Leary was an attorney in Kansas City, Missouri. Includes appointment books, lecture and class notes, financial records, case files, family photographs, and correspondence. Also letters written prior and during World War I to O'Leary's future wife, Edna.

Oliver and Oliver Law Firm Records, 1760-2004 (CG0010)
296 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

The Oliver and Oliver Law Firm Papers contain case files and correspondence of the firm from the 1880s to 1980s. This collection also includes the genealogy of the Oliver and Watkins families, family correspondence, and civic involvements with the Boy Scouts of America, Rotary Club, Sons of the American Revolution, and Presbyterian Church. In addition, this collection contains material related to the Little River Drainage District, Oliver Land and Development Company, and Mingo National Wildlife Refuge.

Oliver Family Papers, 1805-1977 (C3731)
18.1 cubic feet (1061 folders)

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

The papers of a prominent Cape Girardeau, Missouri, family include family and professional correspondence, patriotic organization materials, legal firm records, family financial and legal records, speeches and writings, genealogical materials, information on Missouri State Normal School and First Presbyterian Church of Cape Girardeau, photographs, and miscellany.

John W. Oliver Papers, 1936-1990 (K0751)
25 c.f.

 Finding Aid

Speeches, writings, correspondence, photographs, and personal files of Oliver, Senior U.S. District Judge of Western Missouri. Also personal papers of his wife, Gertrude Field Oliver (1916- ).

Thomas B. Orr Extradition Papers, 1887 (C1620)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

Extradition warrant to Missouri Governor John Sappington Marmaduke from Nebraska Governor John Milton Thayer, for Thomas B. Orr, who obtained property under false pretences.

William J. Orr Papers, 1899-1940 (R0857)
0.01 cubic foot (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

These papers deal mostly with the conviction, appeal , and later the death of J. F. Kennedy, a train-robber. William J. Orr was an attorney for the Kansas City, Fort Scott and Memphis Railway, and later the St. Louis-San Fransisco Railway, who prosecuted Kennedy in 1899. Also included is an obituary of Orr from the Springfield, Missouri News Leader.