Tennessee Supreme Court Cases

Use quotes for an exact search. ex. "J. W."

View Entry Year Case Name County Cause/Crime Case Description Division Location # Pages Order
View Entry 1891 Alabama Great Southern Railroad Co. v. C. A. Fowler Hamilton Negligence

C. A. Fowler sued the railroad company for negligence for injuries he received as a passenger . He leapt under a seat in the train injuring himself. He claimed he did so because he thought the train was about to collide with another train and he was fearful.

 East Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1768 67 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 A. J. Isam, et al.v. Maggie Baldwin, et al. Hamilton Unknown

Cannot determine cause of action, nor additional plaintiffs and defendants.

 East Range: 8 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 788 2 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 A. J. Isam v. Maggie Baldwin, et al. AND James Hickson v. Myles Kelly Hamilton Inheritance

Sarah A. (Isam) Baldwin died intestate and without issue in 1883. Complainants: nephew James E. Isam, Sarah's sister Caroline Lewis; G. W. and A. J. Isam; Frank and Josephine Lankford; Eliza and Alfred Patterson, Mary Frist. John D. Isam is also named as Sarah's brother, though he hadn't been seen for 30 years. Maggie claimed she was Sarah's daughter, making her rightful heir. Defts: Caroline Hinnard, Isaac Baldwin, heirs of Margaret Baldwin. Genealogical minefield. Two fdrs.
See ET2066.

 East Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1765 617 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 American Accident Company v. Virginia Norment Hamilton Insurance Claims and Policies

Case in 2 folders. William T. Norment (husband of Virginia) had $10,000 life insurance policy with company. Company refused to pay out benefit after his death. Norment sued to obtain $10,000 benefit & for an additional $10,000 in damages.

 East Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1772 396 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 Crawford Lane, et al v. Charles E. Stanley, et al. Hamilton Land and Title Dispute

Additional Plntff.: Richard Myrick & wife, Harriett, et al. Additional Deft.: Daniel Lane, brother of Crawford & Thomas Lane. T. Lane purchased Lot No. 2 in Chattanooga which, after his death, descended to his widow (who remarried), & after her death to his siblings (Lane had no children). Plntff. learned that the widow & her husband sold lot to Stanley who bought Daniel Lane's interest in the property. Plntff. ask court to issue a decree for their interests in the property & their share of the rents.

 East Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1775 184 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 Chattanooga Land, Coal, Iron and Railway Company, et al. v. Sam Nichols Hamilton Damages

Other plaintiffs: North Chattanooga Street Car Company. Nichols owned a lot on Main St. in Hill City, Tenn. While installing street car line, companies changed the grade of road so that level went from 18 in. below Nichols's property to 7-7.5 ft. below it. Jury awarded him $400 in damages & interest in 1890. Companies appealed.

 East Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1772 182 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 Citizen's Bank& Trust Co. v. Julia Bradt, et al. Hamilton Debt Dispute

Case file is incomplete; brief only.

 East Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 69 9 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 Chattanooga Union Railway Co., in error v. W. E. Maroon, by next of friend Hamilton Injury and Damages

Defendant in error hand his finger crushed and hand injured while coupling one of the locomotive engines owned by the plaintiff in error. At the time of the accident, he was employed as a fireman by the railway and he claimed that the incident was caused by a defective coupler. The circuit court awarded the fireman $500.

 East Range: 19 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1789 149 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 Charles Lee, in error v. State Hamilton Carrying an Illegal Weapon

Case involves Charley Lee "the one that hangs around Esquire Wood's office" being charged with carrying an illegal pistol openly in the hand. After being found guilty, Lee appealed for a new trial. Includes letter from Charles Lee's wife.

 East Range: 19 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1786 15 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 Cincinnati, New Orleans, and Texas Pacific Railway Co. v. George W. Shepherd Hamilton Debt for Wages

George W. Shepherd sued the railroad company for $15.50 in wages.

 East Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1768 30 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 D. W. Hughes et al. v. National Bank of McMinnville Hamilton Petition for Injunction

Plaintiffs D. W. Hughes, J. T. Willingham, and W. J. Willingham, filed a writ of injunction to prevent the constable from executing judgements against the plaintiffs. Plaintiffs requested that the defendant bank be forced to first exhaust the property already levied against the plaintiffs for repayment of their debts to the defendant.

 East Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1773 63 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 D. A. O'Connor v. J. W. Kelly Hamilton Lease Dispute

Daniel A. O'Connor accused James W. Kelly of double crossing him on a bid for leasing a bar and billiard saloon in the Read House hotel. O'Connor stated that Kelly offered to bid on the lease for him, then he would transfer it. Kelly continued delaying the lease transfer, but at last told O'Connor that he would do so for a $10,000 bonus.

 East Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1758 187 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 Frank Turner v. Joe W. Brown et al. Hamilton Motion for Appeal

In the original case, the plaintiff claimed that water from a broken pipe on the defendant's land caused damage to the house belonging to the plaintiff. In this case, the complainant motioned for an appeal claiming that the court did not examine the facts and that it was the natural flow of rainwater that caused the damage.

 East Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1772 15 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 F. A. Auger v. W. G. Smith, et al Hamilton Land, Fraud

On 27 July 1889 Auger sold to Smith 14 lots in Chattanooga for sum of $7000. In return Smith deeded to him 1335 acres in Jackson Co., MS for $4000. Deft. represented MS land as worth $3.00 per acre. Plntff. had not seen the land for himself at the time, but took deft. at his word. Upon visiting the land plntff. found it of poor quality & largely owned by other persons. He charged deft. with intentionally defrauding him of $3666.25, the difference between $4000 & land's true value (25 cents per acre).

 East Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1765 260 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 G. N. Henson v. W. P. Crow, et al. Hamilton Fraudulent Conveyance

Plaintiff Henson purchased the land contract between the defendants, W. P. Crow and his wife Sarah E. Crow, and E. Watkins for the purpose of buying the land in question through a deed of conveyance from W. P. Crow. However, Crow refused to convey the land to the plaintiff and instead conveyed and registered the land to C. D. Beebe.

 East Range: 19 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1788 156 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 H. E. C. Camp by next friend, et al. v. John Cummings, et al. Hamilton Mortgage Dispute

"The bill in this case seeks to have a deed absolute on it's face construed as mortgage." On 10 March 1879, G. W. Sexton purchased from Gabriel Cooper, "the lot in controversy for the consideration of $250.00." On the same day, Sexton executed to H. H. Edwards, a mortgage on this lot. On 10 March 1881, Sexton conveyed to Cummings this said lot by an absolute deed for consideration of $230.00. A. P. Tompson, admr. for G. W. Sexton, dec. intestate 31 Dec. 1881.
Supreme Ct. appeals only. No Chancery recs.

 East Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1764 45 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 John E. Conner v. Chattanooga Electric Sight Co. et al. Hamilton Damages

Additional Defendants: East Tennessee Telephone Co. and Chattanooga Street Railroad Co. The plaintiff sued the defendant companies for $2000 in damages for keeping a large number of dangerous and improperly maintained wires near the corner of Georgia Avenue and 7th Streets in Chattanooga. The electricity from a broken wire killed the plaintiffs horses and burned the saddles/harnesses they were wearing. Conner also requested the wires be declared a nuisance and proper action be taken to address them.

 East Range: 19 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1809 175 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 J. W. Champlin v. F. Gibson et al. Hamilton Default on Promissory Note

Plaintiff Champlin sued for payment of a note executed by the defendants C. C. McCullough and F. Gibson.

 East Range: 19 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1781 28 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 John L. Divine v. E. M. Smith Hamilton Debt Dispute

Plaintiff and defendant were partners in a merchant flouring mill under the name E. M. Smith & Co. Plaintiff claims to not have a copy of the agreement. Dispute is over the handling of the business. Case includes extensive inventory lists and other financial details related to running a mill, including branding/trademarking.

 East Range: 19 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1783 257 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 John C. Banks v. Samuel Blair Hamilton Libel

Plaintiff Banks sued the defendant for libel and slander related to the business in which they were partners in Chattanooga. Flyer for "The Southern" in the file. Written on but difficult to read. Doesn't seem to be about the case.
See also ET 2055.

 East Range: 18 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1986 470 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 John L. Divine, in error v. E. M. Smith Hamilton Dissolution of Partnership

Divine and Smith were partners in a merchant flouring mill in Chattanooga prior to March 1889. The defendant in error, E .L. Smith, sued John Divine to dissolve their partnership and for $50,000 in damages for intentionally slandering his reputation as a business man with creditors and the public, which he claimed resulted in his financial injury.

 East Range: 19 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1813 178 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 James Hickson, et al v. Myles Kelly Hamilton Property Dispute

Add. Plntffs.: Mary & Ellen Hickson. Plntffs. children & heirs of Robert Hickson, decd. They inherited a city lot from their father which adjoined deft.'s property. The dividing lines between the lots on the block had never been properly surveyed due to the expense & the property's low value. When plntffs. had their lot surveyed & attempted to build a fence on the dividing line deft. & his son-in-law tore it down. Plntffs. asked Court to set by decree the boundary line between the lots. See ET, 1765.

 East Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1767 235 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 J. R. Halloway, et al. v. J. T. Hulsey & J. S. Hulsey Hamilton Land and Title Dispute

Additional Plaintiffs are unlisted.

 East Range: 5 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 33 55 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 J. L. Seasongood Co. v. J. A. Blanton Hamilton Debt on Account

The plaintiff company sued the defendant for repayment of debt on his account for various purchases made at the plaintiff's business.

 East Range: 19 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1809 37 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 John Murphy v. W. M. Nixon et als Hamilton Promissory Note

$1500 promissory note to be paid to Murphy at Second National Bank of Kentucky; note not paid and seeking payment Ex A: promissory note; Ex B: certificate of protest

 East Range: 19 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1781 83 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 James Cummings v. John Cummings et al Hamilton Land and Title Dispute

Plaintiff sued the defendants dispute of ownership of land. He paid defendants $5076.73 for ownership of a tract of land. Defendants attempted to sell this land, without paying plaintiff his due. Additional defendants: William Cummings, John Cummings

 East Range: 19 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1741 238 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 Jesse C. Roberson v. J. J. Coulter Hamilton Deed

Cause of action was not entirely clear but seems to involve a deed dispute over property in Hamilton County.

 East Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1766 151 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 James C. Sloan v. Williams and Rouse Hamilton Property Dispute

The plaintiff and the defendant were partners in a dental business which had one branch in Knoxville and another in Chattanooga. The defendant borrowed 110 dollars from the plaintiff. The money was used to purchase a rocking chair, top wash stand, 40 yards of carpet and a dental chair. The plaintiff claimed that the purchases were jointly owned as part of the business and the defendant disputed this claim.

 East Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1766 99 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 Joseph Ruohs v. John A. Hart, et al. Hamilton Land, Sale of

Other defendants: Whitney Mills (Company); T. G. Montague; A. S. Ochs; M. F. McLarin; John H. Reynolds; T. F. Howell. Ruohs sold defendants 110.25 acres of land for $103,333.33, with down payment of $10,000, promissory note for $23,333.33, & remaining $70,000 in bonds to be issued by Whitney Mills. Ruohs retained sale contract but lost the deed of trust for $70,000 in bonds. Defendants refused to issue him a replacement copy. Ruohs sued to get to court to force them to issue him another copy.

 East Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1764 114 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 Keystone Bridge Company v. John C. Banks & Co. Hamilton Damages

Plaintiff, Keystone Bridge Co., sued the defs., John C. Banks and Samuel Blair of John C. Banks & Co., to collect damages for insufficient work on the roof of a depot building in Chattanooga. Blair and Banks were insolvent at the time of this bill and the co-defendants were themselves involved in a "hostile litigation with each other."

 East Range: 19 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1784 142 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 Lamb Ryall and wife v. E. C. Simpson, et al. Hamilton Estate Dispute

Lamb Ryall's wife was Mary Jane Ryall and they were citizens of James County at the time of the case. Additional defendants: S. C. [Sarah Catherine] Simpson, Ann E. McBrien, T. [Thomas] O. Hawley. Estate of Robert Simpson. Mary Jane Ryall, E. C. [Ephania Clementine] Simpson, S. C. Simpson, and Ann E. McBrien were the daughters of Robert Simpson. Thomas O. Hawley and James McBrien were the executors of Robert Simpson's estate.

 East Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1766 34 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 Mary C. Reynolds, by next friend v. Foley Vaughn, et al. Hamilton Estate Dispute

Mary was a sister of the late John W. Hoyt, who died intestate without issue in 1864. She was suing for what she believed to be her 1/7 of John's significant property. The others--too numerous to name--had long ago settled the land and built upon it. See also M. C. Reynolds, by next friend v. Mary Wade, et al. (1892), in Box ET 1743.

 East Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1766 285 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 Maud L. Wyatt by next friend v. P. H. Walker et al. Hamilton Injunction

This was listed as an injunction bill. The main issue was whether or not personal property of Maud Wyatt could be seized in order to satisfy debts of her husband, J.L. Wyatt.

 East Range: 78 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1738 145 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 N. G. Taylor Co. et al. v. Banks-Blair Co. et al. Hamilton Debt Settlement

General creditors bill brought against the defendant bank to settle its affairs after it became insolvent. Much of the massive documentation grows out of the litigation between bank partners from their proceeding companies, J. C. Banks & Co., composed of J. C. Banks and Samuel Blair, and the firm of J. H. Crossman & Co. composed of J. H Crossman, J. C. Banks, and A. R. L. Blair. The case takes up the entirety of box ET 1779 and the remaining volume is in box ET 1780.

 East Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1779 1541 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 Nancy E. Choate v. East Tennessee, Virginia, & Georgia Railway Co. Hamilton Damages for Wrongful Death

Plaintiff Nancy E. Choate sued the defendant railway company for $30,000 in damages for the negligent and wrongful killing of her husband, John A. Choate, who left behind three children: Ella, Willie, and Maggie. Choate charged that the train failed to indicate its presence with a whistle or attempt to brake, resulting in the train running over the plaintiff's husband and causing him to suffer greatly and die.

 East Range: 19 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1789 112 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 Nixon & Wester v. Attamont Moses, et al. Hamilton Breach of Contract

Plaintiff Nixon & Wester sued the defendant for repayment of a $172 debt for the contract purchase of 5 car loads of corn that the defendant later refused and was resold at a loss, for which Moses was responsible.

 East Range: 19 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1788 99 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 Pleas (Pleasant) Edgman v. Mayor & Aldermen of the City of Chattanooga Hamilton Damages

Plntff. sued the deft. for $20,000, charging it with "willful negligence" in failing to keep the city's streets in good repair & free from obstructions. Plntff. alleged that on 22 July 1889 he was violently thrown from the wagon in which he was riding when it struck another, unattended, wagon that had simply been left in the street. The fall injured his leg so badly that it required amputation above the knee. Edgman's physician testified that he had heard plntff. say that his horse had kicked him.

 East Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1775 88 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 R. C. Stewart & Wife v. Hamilton Building & Loan Association Hamilton Other East Range: 7 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 743 5 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 State v. Jesse Fierson alias Jesse McPhearson Hamilton Murder

The state claimed that a police officer had a warrant to arrest the defendant for stealing clothes. When the officer attempted to arrest the defendant the defendant shot and killed the officer.

 East Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1767 191 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 Sarah Fox et al. v. B. F. Walker et al. Hamilton Eviction

Ejectment suit brought by the widow and heirs of Charles Fox, dec. againt Walker and the heirs of John P. Walker.

 East Range: 18 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 2004 367 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 State, ex rel. John Roberts, et al. v. Simon M. Adams Hamilton Election Dispute

Other plaintiffs: D. M. Stewart; M. R. Thurman. Adams was elected Justice of the Peace for 1st Ward in Chattanooga. Gen. Assembly passed law in 1875 giving Chattanooga 2 JPs per ward. Plaintiffs said law was unconstitutional b/c it contained a population provision so law only applied to Chattanooga. Also argued that even if law was constitutional, it was no longer valid b/c Chattanooga's population now exceeded provision. & that, therefore, Adams's election was invalid. 7 other similar cases in box.

 East Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1768 44 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 Sheridan Green & Co. v. Dowler & Co. Hamilton Contract Dispute and Damages

The defendants owned a drug store in Chattanooga that they wanted to sell and entered into a contract with the plaintiffs to sell their store to Wilford Bright and pay the plaintiffs $300. Bright was dissatisfied with the price and backed out of the deal but Sheridan sued to recover the $300 from Dowler anyway.

 East Range: 19 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1808 71 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 S. E. Green v. Robert Morrison et al Hamilton Unknown East Range: 7 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 753 11 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 State, ex rel. John Roberts, et al. v. B. F. Whiteside Hamilton Election Dispute

Other plaintiffs: D. M. Stewart; M. R. Thurman. Whiteside was Justice of the Peace for 2nd Ward in Chattanooga. Gen. Assembly passed law in 1875 giving Chattanooga 2 JPs per ward. Plaintiffs said law was unconstitutional b/c it contained a population provision so law only applied to Chattanooga. Also argued that even if law was constitutional, it was no longer valid b/c Chattanooga's population now exceeded provision. & that, therefore, Whiteside's election was invalid. 7 other similar cases in box.

 East Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1768 43 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 State, ex rel. John Roberts, et al. v. T. M. Rowden Hamilton Election Dispute

Other plaintiffs: D. M. Stewart; M. R. Thurman. Rowden was elected Justice of the Peace for 2nd Ward in Chattanooga. Gen. Assembly passed law in 1875 giving Chattanooga 2 JPs per ward. Plaintiffs said law was unconstitutional b/c it contained a population provision so law only applied to Chattanooga. Also argued that even if law was constitutional, it was no longer valid b/c Chattanooga's population now exceeded provision. & that, therefore, Rowden's election was invalid. 7 other similar cases in box.

 East Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1768 44 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 The Mayor & Alderman of Chattanooga et al., in error v. T. J. Howard Hamilton Injury and Damages

T. J. Howard sued the city and the Union Railway Company for $1000 for injury and damages. Howard claimed the plaintiffs in error were negligent in leaving stacks of wood in the street and failed to light the area or put up danger signs when it became dark. Howard fell over the timber in the street, breaking his arm and sustaining other injuries.

 East Range: 19 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1793 68 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 T. L. Mitchell, Admr. Of William T. Guinn, Decd. V. The East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia Railway Co. Hamilton Damages

Plntff. filed a $20,000 damage suit on behalf of Guinn's widow. Guinn, an employee of the railroad, was killed in a train wreck in Calhoun Co., AL in Dec. 1889. He was in a caboose that was sitting on the railroad tracks. Instead of taking action to stop the train as required by law its operators negligently ran into the caboose, killing Guinn. Plntff. sued under the laws of the state of Alabama.

 East Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1764 149 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 Third National Bank of Chattanooga v. F. H. Foster Hamilton Attachment

Plntff. filed an attachment bill against the deft. to collect on 2 notes: one note for $2000 executed by deft. to plntff. on 24 Feb. 1890 & the other for $7600 executed by the F. H. Foster Manufacturing Co. to F. H. Foster on 12 Dec. 1889.

 East Range: 19 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1795 70 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 William Horton v. Hamilton County Hamilton Injury

File contains reply brief & argument for plaintiff in error. William Horton was serving time for a crime, and employed by the prison workhouse. In this position he was made to quarry rock for a private company. He sued when injured on the job. The suit then set out to establish the legalities and authority of the workhouse while employing prisoners in the public and private sectors.

 East Range: 5 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 7 10 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 W. K. Burton and Company v. W. S. Bogle Hamilton Debt

The plaintiff claimed that the defendant owed the company the commission of 5% or 900 dollars for the sale of a piece of real estate on the corner of 5th and Market Street in Chattanooga.

 East Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1766 65 Order A Copy

Pages