AGENCY: Salt Lake County (Utah). Justice of the Peace (Fifth Precinct : 1874-1902)
SERIES: 4886
TITLE: Inquest register
DATES: i 1898-1902.
ARRANGEMENT: Chronological
DESCRIPTION: It was the duty of the justice of the peace to act as coroner and hold inquests on the bodies of those supposed to have died of unlawful means within his precinct. According to legislation passed in 1896, a register of inquests was to be kept recording date; the name of the deceased if known, if not, a description of the deceased; the description of any property found on the deceased and its disposition; and the cause of death if determined.
This register contains documentation of inquests held by Alexander McMaster and Dana T. Smith, justices of the peace in the 5th precinct of Salt Lake City in Salt Lake County. In addition to the information specified above, register entries usually include the place of the inquest, jurors names, and witnesses names. If an autopsy was held, the names of the doctors are usually stated.__Dates that a venire was issued, subpoenas issued, files turned over to the district court, etc. are also mentioned. The costs of the inquest and burial are often itemized along with the name of the individual assuming the cost if other than the county. Each summary is brief, rarely extending beyond a single page.
The location of any inquest register from McMaster's previous term is unknown. In 1901, new legislation provided that henceforth cities of the first class no longer be divided into multiple precincts, thereby bringing the series to a close with the end of the term in 1902.
RETENTION
DISPOSITION
RETENTION AND DISPOSITION AUTHORIZATION
These records are in Archives' permanent custody.
FORMAT MANAGEMENT
Paper: Retain in State Records Center until microfilmed and then destroy provided microfilm has passed inspection.
Microfilm master: Retain in State Archives permanently.
Microfilm duplicate: Retain in Agency Record Center permanently.
APPRAISAL
PRIMARY DESIGNATION
Public