William E. Burns Papers

The William E. Burns Papers consist deeds, memoranda, notes, and other legal documents, correspondence, and business records related to Burns’ law practice involving cases primarily in southwest Virginia and East Tennessee in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Among the cases documented are property title suits, estate settlements, lawsuits filed against the Norfolk and Western Railway Company, lawsuits over monies owed patent medicine companies, and an estate suit in Johnson City, Tenn., involving lots acquired from the Carnegie Land & Improvement Company. Note: Some of the later cases were apparently ones handled by William E. Burns’ brother, Clarence.