Guide to the Joseph Wicks Papers 1930-1974
Cage 236

Summary Information

Repository
Washington State University Libraries, Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Creator
Wicks, Joseph
Title
Joseph Wicks Papers
ID
Cage 236
Date [inclusive]
1930-1974
Extent
59 containers., 29.5 linear feet of shelf space., 21000 items.
Language
Collection materials are in English.
Abstract
Correspondence, case files, and legal documents pertaining to Wicks's service as Washington State Superior Court Judge of Okanogan and Ferry Counties from 1947 through 1960, and to his private practice, 1930-1947 and 1961-1972. Of special interest are the materials relating to Goldmark vs. Canwell libel case of 1963-1964, and his duties as attorney for the Colville Confederated Tribes, 1965-1970.

Preferred Citation

[Item Description]. Cage 236, Joseph Wicks Papers. Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.

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Biography/History

Joseph Wicks was born in 1896 in Braggs, Oklahoma. Because he was one-quarter Cherokee he was an enrollee in the Cherokee Nation. This lineage has had much to do with Wicks' private and professional life over the course of his career, including a proposed appointment as Commissioner of Indian Affairs.

Wicks graduated from high school at Bacone College, a Baptist Mission school in 1917. He then went into the army, serving overseas from 1917 to 1919. Upon his return to the states he attended the University of Oklahoma during 1919 and 1920. He then left school and took a job as Deputy U.S. Marshal in Muskogee, Oklahoma from 1921 to 1923. While attending George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C., from 1923 to 1926, he worked as a clerk in the Justice Department. Although admitted to practice law in Oklahoma, Wicks worked for the U.S. Treasury Department for a year and then as an agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation until 1928.

Wicks began his private practice in 1928 in Alaska but soon came to Washington State where he settled permanently. Between 1929 and 1946, Wicks practiced law in Seattle, Grand Coulee, and Okanogan. He was elected to the office of Superior Court Judge in 1946, and served in this capacity for Okanogan and Ferry Counties from 1947 through 1960. After his retirement from the bench, Judge Wicks returned to private practice, setting up the law firm of Wicks Thomas in Okanogan, Washington. In 1963 and 1964 Wicks served as one of the defense attorneys in the Goldmark vs. Canwell Case. Throughout his career Wicks had been interested in Indian Affairs, and in 1965 he agreed to represent the Colville Confederated Tribes as tribal attorney. He remained in this capacity until his resignation in 1970. In 1973 the Judge was again called to the Bench to serve on a pro tempore Supreme Court dealing with the constitutional questions of the Yelle vs. Kramer Case.

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Scope and Content

The papers of Joseph Wicks include case files, legal documents, correspondence, notes and printed materials related to the operation of the Superior Court of Okanogan and Ferry Counties and his own private practice as an attorney. The case files from the period 1947 to 1960 are of those cases brought before Wicks while Superior Court Judge. The case files from his private practice cover the period from 1930 to 1947 and the period from 1961 to 1972. The private practice case files are more extensive in that they also include trial speeches, witness and juror related materials, exhibits and evidence, and legal documents relating to business transactions such as contracts and articles of incorporation. The second period of the Judge's private practice, from 1961 to 1972, was dominated by the Goldmark vs. Canwell libel case, 1963-1964, and his attorneyship for the Colville Indian Tribe. The Goldmark case records contain extensive documentation of trial proceedings, witness materials, and clippings. Wicks' Colville Indian materials contain correspondence, case files, memoranda, legal documents and minutes from business council meetings, government documents relating to Indian legislation, and financial records. A small portion of the papers deal with Wicks' involvement with various Republican party committees. These papers include speeches, minutes, printed materials and election tally sheets for various precincts. Also included in his personal papers are correspondence and legal documents relating to civic committees such as the Okanogan Civilian Defense Council and the Okanogan County Taxpayers Association.

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Arrangement

The papers are arranged in three series: personal, judicial, and private practice. These series are further divided into subject subseries. All case files are arranged chronologically within an alphabetical sequence, except for the files pertaining to Wicks' role as Tribal Attorney for the Colvilles, which are arranged alphabetically. The remaining subseries and their further divisions are each arranged chronologically.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections  © 2012

http://www.libraries.wsu.edu/masc/

Terrell Library

P.O. Box 645610

Pullman, WA, 99164-5610 USA

509-335-6691

mascref@wsu.edu

Revision Description

 The initial deposit was processed in 1969 and reprocessed from January to May, 1977 by Charisse Peters.  1977

Restrictions on Access

This collection is open for research use.

Acquisition Information

The papers of Joseph Wicks, b. 1896, attorney and Superior Court Judge for Okanogan and Ferry Counties from 1947 to 1960, were donated to the Washington State University Library by Judge Wicks in 1968 and 1976.

Alternative Form Available

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Names and Subjects

Corporate Name(s)

Subject(s) :
  • Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation -- Officials and employees -- Records and correspondence
  • Colville Indians -- Legal status, laws, etc.
  • Washington (State). Superior Court (Okanogan and Ferry Counties)

Personal Name(s)

Creator(s) :
  • Wicks, Joseph, b. 1896--Archives
Subject(s) :
  • Canwell, Albert -- Trials, litigation, etc.
  • Goldmark, John -- Trials, litigation, etc.

Subject(s)

  • Indians of North America -- Washington (State) -- Legal status, laws, etc.
  • Government and Politics
  • Washington (State)
  • Native Americans

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Detailed Description of Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Series 1: Personal Papers 

Subseries 1.1: Political.  1932-1966 

National, state, local and personal election materials.
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Political 1938  50

 1

Political 1940  60

 1

Republican State Central Committee 1940-1946  200

 1

Political File 1944  100

 2

Republican National Convention 1944  40

 2

Statement of Election Expenses 1948 1952 1956  10

 2

Judges personal election file for Superior Court race. 1946  90

 2

Political and Election Data 1947-1948  15

 2

Papers re: 1952 Election of County Commissioners, the Election Canvassing Board, and the Subsequent Events 1952  40

 3

Judge Wicks, election 196  36

 3

National Election 1964.  3

 3

Copies of Speeches and Data 1946-1967  20

 3

Speeches and Arguments 1937-1963  38

 3

Political Precincts 1930 1932 1934 

 4

Abstracts of Votes 1946  12

 4

Precinct Elections 1962 1964 1966  200

 4

Precinct Elections 1966  216

 4

Subseries 1.2: Civil Defense and Selective Service. 1940-1946. 

Correspondence and printed materials relative to Wicks' position as Civilian Defense Chairman, Okanogan County Defense Council, 1941-1942, and his work as Government Appeal Agent on the Okanogan County Local Draft Board

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4
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National Defense 1941  25

 4

Civilian Defense 1941-1942  20

 4

Selective Service Correspondence 1942-1946  70

 4

Selective Service Affidavits Requesting Release 1943  3

 4

V.F.W. (Veterans of Foreign Wars). Correspondence, printed materials, relating to V.F.W. Affairs 1940-1941  30

 4

Subseries 1.3: Public Service .  1939-1971. 

Correspondence, minutes, reports, legal documents, printed materials, concerning Okanogan Tax Payers Association, Public Utility District, Advisory Committee for Okanogan National Forest and Fort Okanogan Museum

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Okanogan County Tax Payers Association Papers 1939  55

 5

Minutes of P.U.D. (Special Meetings) 1943-1944  11

 5

Minutes of P.U.D. 1944-1945  25

 5

Fort Okanogan Museum Material 1959  24

 5

Advisory Committee for the Okanogan National Forest 1969-1971  30

 5

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Series 2: Judicial Papers 

Subseries 2.1: Case files. 

Court notes, jury instructions, venire lists, lists of witnesses, orders appointing attorneys, verdicts, information forms, memoranda, juror records, stipulations, printed materials, and correspondence pertaining to each specific case. The civil and criminal files cover the period from 1947-1960 when Wicks was Superior Court Judge for Okanogan and Ferry Counties, and the Yelle case from 1973-1974.

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5

Subseries 2.1.1: Criminal.  

Alphabetical arrangement of cases within alphabetized categories of crimes.
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Arson and Assault B-S  570

 6

Assault S-W, Burglary, Carnal Knowledge  480

 7

Contributing to Delinquency of a Minor, Extradition Proceedings, Forgery, Indecent Liberties  270

 8

Grand Larceny A-H  520

 9

Grand Larceny J-Y  315

 10

Miscellaneous, Murder A-J  300

 11

Murder M-T, Negligent Homicide, Robbery  300

 12

Selling Intoxicating Liquor to Minor, Sodomy, Taking a Motor Vehicle without Permission  300

 13

Subseries 2.1.2: Civil.  

Arranged chronologically within each alphabetical heading.
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A-B 1948  365

 14

B 1949-1953  455

 15

B 1959-1961  110

 16

C 1948-1953  110

 16

C 1953-1961  190

 17

D 1948-1956  190

 17

D 1957  200

 18

F  1954  200

 18

F 1956  225

 19

H 1951  225

 19

H 1951  115

 20

J 1954  115

 20

K-M 1949  280

 21

M 1949  140

 22

N 1960  140

 22

0-P 1949-1961  236

 23

R 1949-1959  320

 24

S 1948-1955  450

 25

S 1956-1961  310

 26

T 1947-1961  300

 27

U-W 1947-1960  410

 28

Subseries 2.1.3: Yelle vs. Kramer . 
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Wicks served on a pro tempore Supereme Court in a special case involving state legislators' and judicial officers' salaries, (citation: 520 P2d 927) 1973-1974  200

 29

Subseries 2.2: Court's Notes. . 
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Judge's notes on cases on which his office had no file, also Law Day Notes 1947-1960  330

 30

Subseries 2.3: Jury Duty Lists.  1947-1960. 

Lists of persons subject to jury duty, voter registration lists, orders, claims of exemption, correspondence, venire for jury and other legal forms pertaining to jury selection and terms.
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Ferry County 1947-1960  195

 31

Okanogan County. 
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  1946-1949  110

 31

  1947-1949  540

 32

  1950-1953  520

 33

  1953-1955  780

 34

  1955-1964  135

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Subseries 2.4: Court Calendars.  1947-1961 

Calendars for Okanogan, Ferry, Spokane and Miscellaneous Counties. Some folders also contain correspondence, various forms and court's notes attached to the calendars.
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Ferry County 1947-1960  200

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Miscellaneous 1947 1951  60

 36

Okanogan County. 
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  1947-1949  110

 36

  1950-1964  165

 37

Subseries 2.5: Marriage Licenses and Waivers. 
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Orders authorizing County Auditor to deliver marriage license, indexes to waivers and marriage licenses 1947-1958  445

 38

Subseries 2.6: Correspondence.  1946-1961 

General correspondence, and with the Court Reporter 1947-1948 and Court Administrator 1959-1961.

General (arranged alphabetically) 

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38
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  1946-1948  570

 39

  1949  150

 40

  1950  180

 40

  1951-1952  190

 41

  1953-1954  230

 41

  1955-1957  210

 42

  1958-1959  250

 42

  1961  120

 42

Court Administrator and Court Reporter 
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Correspondence with Court Administrator 1960-1964  10

 43

Administrator for the Courts--correspondence and memoranda 1959-1961  55

 43

Court Reporter, Correspondence re 1947-1948  40

 43

Subseries 2.7: Procedural Orders and Reports. 1947-1961. 

Reports to the Judge from county officials and institutions, and reports made by the Judge on judicial business done, orders, definitions, rules, and information related to the orderly functioning of the judiciary, also material relating to Juvenile Courts
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Report for Judge Wicks on Judicial Business done. 1948  13

 43

Judicial Business Done 1949-1957 

 43

Juvenile Officers Reports 1951.  11

 43

Adoptions 1958. 

 43

Reports of Next-of-friend.  8

 43

Eastern State Hospital Reports--Judge's file 1958-1960  15

 43

Ferry County Pre-Sentence Reports 1961.  9

 43

Pre-Sentence Reports 1963  10

 43

Temporary File of Orders Appointing Attorney in Criminal Cases 1947-1954  150

 44

Orders Appointing Attorneys, Criminal Cases 1955-1957  30

 44

Immigration and Naturalization Service 1947-1949.  27

 44

Order Fixing Rules for County Jail 1949-1950.  6

 44

Nervous & Mental Diseases--Definition of terms used, etc  15

 44

Pertaining to Rules, Practice & Procedure—Effective Jan. 1 1960.  4

 44

Impeachment Information.  4

 44

Matters Pending for Judge's Signature, etc. 1950.  4

 44

Proposed Legislature 1947-1948.  9

 44

Juvenile Matters--Inter-office 1947-1960  50

 44

Subseries 2.8: Financial Records.  1947-1952. 

Okanogan and Ferry County Budgets, and the Judge's personal expense, travel and salary vouchers.
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Budget--Okanogan & Ferry Counties 1947-1952  35

 45

Ferry County Budget 1949, Revenue for 1948. 1949  2

 45

Travel and Salary Vouchers 1947-1948  75

 45

Salary and Expense Vouchers 1949  35

 45

Subseries 2.9: Committees.  1948-1961. 

Concerning Judge Wicks' involvement with juvenile matters, various public committees, committees related to judicial and state administration, and committee for the mentally ill.
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State School for Girls 1948.  3

 45

Committee on Institutions & Juvenile Delinquency 1958 

 45

Committee on Institutions & Juvenile Delinquency 1957-1959  60

 45

Committee on Public Institutions and Juvenile Delinquency--Judge Wicks, Chairman 1954-1955  200

 45

Okanogan County Youth Council and Rando Manor matters 1953.  3

 45

Okanogan Valley Child Guidance 1957 1961.  5

 45

Private Schools State of Washington, List 1952.  3

 45

Correspondence etc. In Re. Committee for Mentally Ill 1961 

 45

 1960-1961  15

 45

Committee for Good Government and Grand Jury 1949.  18

 45

Committee on Improvement of the Administration of Justice 1960-1961.  17

 45

Subseries 2.10: Washington State Superior Court Judges Association . 
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Minutes, correspondence, financial reports, lists of members, and printed materials connected with the association 1948-1950 1954-1962  225

 46

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Series 3: Private Practice. 

Subseries 3.1: General Practice. 1963-1964. 

Correspondence, exhibits, evidence, contracts, articles of incorporation, application forms, minutes, juror materials, orders, petitions, complaints, notices, memoranda, clippings, summons, notes, photographs, trial speeches, printed materials and other papers relating to criminal and civil cases, including defense materials for the Goldmark case.

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46
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The Gold Mountain Mining Company Papers 1930-1933.  30

 47

Green Mountain Gold Mining Company 1932  15

 47

Monte Oro Mining Company 1942-1947.  6

 47

Sawdust Makers Union 1939-1951  130

 47

School District #401 (Okanogan County) vs. School District #14 (Okanogan County) 1942-1943  60

 47

Public Utility District 1936-1940  20

 48

PUD #1 (Okanogan Co.) vs. WWP and PUD #1 (Douglas) vs. WWP Exhibits 1930-1942.  11

 48

Public Utility Dist. vs. Wash. Water Power 1942-1943  150

 48

Washington Water Power vs. P.U.D. #1 of Okanogan County 1945  35

 48

Washington vs. Robert Neil Murder Case 1936-1944  65

 49

U.S. vs. John Paradis Murder Trial (Indian) 1940-1941.  50

 49

Wash. State vs. J.F. Thorpe 1940  90

 49

General Practice 1969  10

 49

LaCourse, Lee Gibson #766 1970-1972  80

 49

Goldmark, John et ux vs. Canwell, Albert F., et al, file no. 1 Wicks 43 1963-1964  34

 50

Goldmark, John, et ux vs. Canwell, Albert F., et al., 43 no. 2 1962-1963  200

 50

43 no. 3 1963  125

 50

Goldmark, John et ux vs. Canwell, Albert F., et al, 44 file no. 4 1964-1965  100

 51

Wicks 44 1963  90

 51

Clippings from Goldmark Case 1963  185

 51

Goldmark vs. Canwell, Wicks papers 45 1960-1964  70

 52

Wicks 45, Index to Trial Proceedings, and Note cards on witnesses 1963-1964  2

 52

Subseries 3.2: Indian Affairs. 

Materials related to Wicks' personal and professional interest in Indian matters. The sub-series contains two sub-sub-series' which are: a personal file, and files relating to Wicks' official representation for the Colville Confederated Tribes.

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52

Subseries 3.2.1: Personal.  1941-1963. 

Correspondence, speeches, and printed materials relating to Indian Affairs which were of personal interest to Wicks.
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Colville Indians 1941-1942  20

 53

Commissioner of Indian Affairs 1953  70

 53

Indian Affairs 1960-1963  100

 53

Subseries 3.2.2: Attorney, Colville Confederated Tribes. 

The first chronological file of minutes, government documents and other printed material has been retained in the original order, the second is a compilation of loose papers arranged chronologically. The third set, case files, are arranged alphabetically.

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53

Chronological 
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  1965-1968  360

 53

  1969-1971  340

 54

  1961-1967  180

 55

  1967-1971  120

 56

Case Files 
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Agreement of Trustees 1963  2

 57

Attorneys 1962-1966  40

 57

Mrs. Amelia (Boswell) Christie, Omak, Washington, Tribal Loan, Case File 497 1968  20

 57

Cigarettes, Matters Relating thereto-Permits, etc. 1969.  6

 57

Colville Confederated Tribes vs. Mervel Allen and wife 1968  10

 57

Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indians vs. Wells, George 1967-1969  14

 57

Contract Between Colvilles & Wicks & Brucher 1968.  8

 57

Desautel, Lucetta, Collection for Colvilles 1968.  4

 57

Factual Data of Use in Matters of Impending Legislation Concerning Colvilles 1963-1965  30

 57

In Re: Grazing CFR. Trespass Cases, Pakotas, Simpson & R.W. Miller Trespass Cases 1968  15

 57

Houghland vs. Houghland (Anna Mae Pooler) 1969  50

 57

Indian Matters 1965-1967  120

 57

Indian Museum, Soap Lake 1966-1967  60

 58

Insurance Matters 1966  11

 58

In Re: Jurisdiction Bill Senate Bill 399 1969.  8

 58

Laramie vs. Colville Confederated Tribes, U.S. District Court 1970  15

 58

[Memoranda of Expenses] 1967-1970  60

 58

Omak Lake Leases 1968-1969  60

 58

Omnibus Bill & Data on Same & Correspondence 1966-1967  25

 58

In Re: Permit for Exploration on Indian Reservation 1968  4

 58

Political-GOP Indian Legislation 1968-1969  15

 58

Brooks, G. Ragen-Correspondence In Re: Land 1968-1969  8

 58

[Reservation Law] 1963-1971  20

 58

Senatorial Hearing June 8 1967  25

 58

Statement, [State of Washington, vs. Kenneth Stanger] 1953 1962  2

 58

In Re: Telephone Line to San Poil 1970  5

 58

Tonasket vs. State of Washington, et al 1969  25

 59

[In Re: Wells Hydroelectric Project] 1966  4

 59

[In Re: Ziontz, Pirtle and Morisset] 1972  15

 59

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Container list 1969 

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