Thomas S. Yates
1882-1947
The Yates family of Carter County are descended from William Yates, born 1794 in Virginia, and Sally Yates, born 1804 in Tennessee.
Pictured is Thomas S. Yates, born May, 1882 at Willard, the s/o George W. Yates and Pauline McDavid. He was educated in the Carter County schools and taught prior to graduation in 1906 from the law department of Western Kentucky Normal School. Thomas married Lucille Criswell and they had two daughters, Nadine Y. YatesCadden, and Maxine Y. Yates Jayne. Lucille was not only predeceased by her husband, but both of her daughters.
Thomas was a prominent lawyer and an outstanding Republican leader. He was considered one of the ablest Criminal Lawyers in Kentucky. he was a member of the Church of Christ, and helped to build churches and schools throughout Carter County. With President, J.W. Lusby, he helped to organize and plan the Kentucky Christian College (known as the Christian Normal Institute in 1919). He was one of the owners of this land, and was a charter member, a Trustee, and legal counselor, for the school until his death on July 17, 1947.
He first served as City Attorney of Grayson in 1912, then was twice elected County Attorney of Carter County 1914 to 1922, but resigned in 1921 during his second term to accept the appointment by Governor Edwin P. Morrow of Commonwealth's Attorney in the then 32nd Judicial District (later the 37th District) which was heavily Democratic.
At the end of the term, he made the race for the six-year term and won by a small majority, but was re-elected by a 1,500 vote majority. He served two six year terms, and was given the nomination for the third term without Republican opposition, but took instead the appointment of Collector of Customs by President Hoover, and took office in January 1931. He was Republican State Campaign Chairman in November 1930. He served four years as chairman of the Ninth-Republican Congressional District. He served eight years as Chairman of the Republican State Central Committee, and was a four-time Delegate to the National Republican Convention.
Tom Yates served as County Attorney during the infamous Frazier murder case in 1915,
wherein after four trials (1st trial-hung jury, 2nd trial-guilty but appealed, 3rd trial-hung jury, 4th trial-guilty),
Robert Frazier was finally given a life term for murdering his sister's daughter with a hatchet.
Submitted by Garrett and Sherry Lowe
"Some correction may be in order for the reference to the Robert S. Frasure murder trials:
1. There were six trials. County Atty Thomas Yates was involved in only the two held in Carter County.
2. Also the reference to a hatchet as the murder weapon is incorrect. While the unfortunate woman was struck with a sharp instrument, no weapon was ever found or identified.
Also: The correct spelling of his name is: Robert S. Frasure." per Lydia Justice Edwards.
Submitted by Lydia Justice Edwards