AGENCY: District Court (Third District)

SERIES: 4887
TITLE: U.S. Commissioner Harmel Pratt's civil case docket books
DATES: 1889-1894.
ARRANGEMENT: Chronological by date.

DESCRIPTION: Under the 1887 Edmunds-Tucker Law, commissioners appointed by the supreme court and district courts in the Territory of Utah had and could exercise all the powers and jurisdiction held by justices of the peace in the Territory. Harmel Pratt was one of the United States Commissioners appointed in Salt Lake. Dockets document various actions taken in civil cases such as non-payment of wages, promissory notes, personal property claims, etc. The names of the plaintiffs and defendants are given along with the attorney. For each case the date and actions taken, e.g. filing complaint, issuing summons, hearings held, etc., are given.

After statehood in 1896, jurisdiction passed to the justices of the peace. Pratt's successor was J.P. Alexander McMaster.

RETENTION

DISPOSITION

RETENTION AND DISPOSITION AUTHORIZATION

These records are in Archives' permanent custody.

FORMAT MANAGEMENT

Paper: Retain in State Archives permanently with authority to weed.

APPRAISAL

Historical

Disposition based on the value of these records in documenting the types of cases handled by the U.S. Commissioner courts during this period. It is important for the study of local history and community studies.

PRIMARY DESIGNATION

Public

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