Walton Family Papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS 0331

Scope and Content

The bulk of this material is correspondence of Judge Vertrees and Kate Walton law firm relating to the Cross Creek trial itself and its proceedings. Of note is a copy of the original agreement between Zelma Cason and the Walton Law firm with the contingency fee and Cason's signature. There is also a folder of personal correspondence belonging to Kate Walton, which provides details of life during the Great Depression and World War II. A frequent correspondent was Harold A. Henderson, a family friend who served in the Justice Department Anti-Trust Division. Henderson's son John had been a classmate of Kate Walton's at the University of Florida Law School.

Dates

Creation: 1927-1948
Creation: Majority of material found within 1943-1947

Creator

Walton, Kate L., 1917-1985. (Person)

Access

The collection is open for research.

Biographical/Historical Note

Kate L. Walton (1917-1985) served as legal counsel for Zelma Cason, plaintiff in the Cason versus Baskin case, also known as The Cross Creek Trial. She graduated from the University of Florida Law School and in 1936 was one of the first women admitted to the Florida Bar.

Extent

0.42 Linear feet (1 document box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Kate L. Walton (1917-1985) was an attorney from Palatka, Florida who served as legal counsel in the Cason versus Baskin case, known as the Cross Creek Trial. The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence of the law firm relating to the trial and its proceedings, but also includes personal papers of Walton and various family members.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in chronological order with the legal correspondence from the Cason versus Baskin case first, followed by the Cross Creek letters, and finally the personal correspondence of Kate Walton.