DESCRIPTION: The register of actions was used by the court as a record of all documents filed in relation to a specific case. the first entry is typically a notice of the filing of a complaint followed usually by an answer of the defendant. This is followed by one or more summonses and returns of complaints or other documents as appropriate to the individual case. A notice of judgment made or that a garnishment of wages or an attachment of personal property was filed typically ended the case. Routine actions are stamped into the volumes; others are recorded by hand. Not all cases reached the trial stage; but when one did, a full record of actions taken in the case is also entered. Exact charges in the case are not shown, but other information in the entry includes names of parties involved--most often the name of the business bringing action against an individual--and the names of attorneys for both plaintiff and defendant.

The city court held jurisdiction in actions for the recovery of money or breach of contract; actions to recover damages to persons or property or the property itself; actions to recover fines imposed by statute; and actions to enforce or to foreclose liens on personal property. The types of cases recorded in the register corresponds to these categories. Until 1921 the court held concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in all matters relating to personal property and damages related to forcible entry or detainer. Initially the limit on damages that could be asked in cases filed in city court was $500. This was raised in 1921 to $1,000. Claims for greater amounts would be filed in the district court. After 1933, small claims departments were created in city courts and cases for damages less than $50 were filed there.