Overview

The Cordell Meeks, Sr. family papers are those of a native Kansas family, the head of which, Cordell D. Meeks, Sr., was Kansas' first African American District Court judge. His son, Cordell D. Meeks, Jr., also became a judge and he and his wife, Mary Ann, were active in their community and local politics.

Overview

Thurman Forrest Railsback was an attorney in Kansas City, Kansas from 1905-1956. Railsback went on to serve as assistant attorney general and as acting judge in the Wyandotte County District Court. This collection of his papers are primarily civil case files from 1930-1956, consisting of documents of public record only.

Overview The materials in this collection relate to approximately 150 civil suits heard before the Wyandotte County District Court. Much of the material relates to the Wyandotte tribe as litigants, among whom are Abelard Couthrie and William Walker, as well as other Walker family members. Other litigants include firms such as Great Western Telegraph Company and Missouri Valley Lumber Company. In many instances the documents include all relevant papers indicating all actions taken and final...