Order Cases Online
The files located in the Tennessee Supreme Court Cases represent an especially valuable resource for historical and genealogical research at the Tennessee State Library and Archives [TSLA].
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View Entry | Year | Case Name | County | Cause/Crime | Case Description | Division | Location | # Pages | Order |
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View Entry | 1931 | State v. Park Saylor et al. | Hamblen | Disturbance of Public Worship |
Add. Def: Elbert Dyer, Carl Bernard, and Jim Atkins. This is an appeal by the State from an order sustaining a motion to quash. Def. are accused of disrupting a religious worship by loud and indecent talk, and throwing mud balls. |
East | Range: 10 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1325 | 22 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | Sterling Wood Products Company v. Vineyard Trading Company | Knox | Debt, Balance on |
Plea of debt due by check issued in 1930 for $17.65. |
East | Range: 10 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1344 | 27 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | State v. Aaron Ownby et al | Sevier | Eminent Domain |
Add. Material in ET 1414. Add Def: J. M. Ownby, Ennis Ownby, C. L. (Lum) Conner, Levator Ownby, J. W. Ownby, Allen Ownby, A.J. Huff, O. R. Medlin, R. M. Clabo, the heirs Isaac A. Miller and the heirs of James,Madison and Aaron Ownby. Pla. is seeking to acquire land from the Def. pursuant to the provision of chapter 54 of the Public Published Acts of the State of Tennessee for 1927 for the purpose of acquiring lands in the Smoky Mountain Park area. Exhibit includes 7 maps. |
East | Range: 10 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1355 | 69 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | S.W. Dungan et al., exe. Of L. E. Singleton, dec. v. Eula May Wood | Carter | Wills, Contested |
Additional defendant: Lon Hendrickson. Wood was the sole heir and daughter of Singleton. Wood sued to contest Singleton's will, charging that she was not of sound mind and was influenced to make the will by Reverend French Wampler. Court ruled in favor of Wood and declared said will as not the will of Singleton. Dungan et al. moved for a new trial, were overruled, and then appealed. 2 folders. |
East | Range: 10 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1366 | 294 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | South Knoxville Contracting & Construction Company v. Eighty-Four Tire Company (Brakebill & Hamilton) et al | Knox | Damages |
Defendant company is comprised of Thomas R. Price (dec.) & J. Fred Bauman. Plaintiff filed suit against the defendant for their wrongful and unlawful sued out an attachment in McCreary County, Kentucky and having said attachment unlawfully levied upon two Mack trucks to the plaintiff's damage in the sum of $5,000. Said attachment was sued out in 1924. |
East | Range: 9 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1297 | 288 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | S. W. Hayne v. C. C. Leeper et al. | Knox | Negligence |
Leeper sued Hayne for $5000 damages. Leeper's wife was crossing the street when S.W. Hayne's son, Robert, who was driving defendant's car with permission, hit her-causing her permanent injury. Leeper sued def for gross negligence. 2 folders. |
East | Range: 10 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1300 | 219 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | Southern Railway Co. v. Robert Lively et al. | Anderson | Damages |
Add. Def. in error Ethel Lively, wife of Robert Lively. Defendants had driven to the Southern Railway Train Depot to pick up a package. Defendants were riding in a wagon being pulled by a mule. While at the depot, a train suddenly began blowing its horn and moving, causing the mule to run away and Ethel to be thrown from the wagon and sustain injury. More of case in box ET 1320. |
East | Range: 10 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1302 | 254 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | Stowers Lumber & Manufacturing Company v. Cincinnatti, New Orleans, & Texas Pacific Railway | Roane | Damages |
In 1929, the plaintiff loaded a carload of manufactured flooring in a contract with the defendant. Three days later, the merchandise was damaged by flood waters while the car was in a freight yard in Oakdale, TN, only miles from where it was loaded. The contract stated the merchandise would be moved immediately. The defendant acted negligently by failing to move the flooring and causing its total damage. Plaintiff sued for damages in the sum of $2,000. |
East | Range: 10 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1316 | 378 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | Southern Railway Company et al. v. U. A. Rhyne; Southern Railway Company v. Allen Rhyne, by next friend | Knox | Personal Injuries |
Briefs only. Additional plaintiff: Charles O. Fraley. Additional defendant: A.U. Rhyne. Allen Rhyne, minor, was struck by a train while driving a truck. He was sued the defendant and the train engineer for damages from personal injuries. More of case can be found in Allen Rhyne et al. v. Southern Railway Company et al. in box ET 333. 3 folders. |
East | Range: 10 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1336 | 406 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | State v. Ben O. Barkley | Washington | Driving Under the Influence/Driving While Intoxicated |
Incident of 4 July 1931, Johnson City - Kingsport Highway. |
East | Range: 10 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1351 | 66 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | State v. B. E. Biggs | Polk | Injunction |
Defendant was a candidate for Sheriff of said county while W. O. Harrison was the current Sheriff and a candidate for re-election. When he was elected, the defendant was living outside the county and failed to reside in the county for the mandatory sixty day period before casting a vote or being nominated as a citizen. Filed this injunction to prevent the defendant from presenting himself in front of the County Judge for the purpose of taking oath of the office. |
East | Range: 10 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1352 | 128 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | Sarah K. Goodman, admr. Of Pauline Goodman, dec. v. Earl Hicks et al. | Sullivan | Wrongful Death |
Incomplete case. Briefs only. Additional def.: Charles Hicks. Sarah Goodman, mother of Pauline Goodman, sued for damages for fatal personal injury on Halloween night 1929. Pauline was riding on the running board of an automobile when defendant's car hit it, which threw Pauline to the ground, hitting her head, and inflicted injuries from which she suffered until July 1930, when she died. Court had ruled in favor of defendants and plaintiff had appealed. |
East | Range: 10 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1358 | 57 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | Seventy Five Tire Company v. Union Transfer & Storage Company& W.N. Munson | Knox | Negligence |
The Seventy Five Tire Co. sued for $3500 damages caused by defendant Munson's negligent operation of a huge and heavy Mack Truck belonging to the defendant company. Munson had brought truck to the plaintiff's business for storage. As it was driving up ramp, it fell through the floor to the basement below and thereby destroyed the entrance and exit to plaintiff's business. Plaintiff suing for def.'s negligence in not telling them the vehicle weighed more than 31,000 pounds. |
East | Range: 10 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1358 | 79 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | State on Relation of T. V. Peters& T. O. Crouch v. Board of Education of Morgan County | Morgan | Mandamus |
County Board of Education voted to open school in county for one month and remain open if enrollment was 30 or more; enrollment was 41 but Board voted to shut down school. |
East | Range: 10 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1365 | 82 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | Tennessee Publishing Co. v. Minnesota & Ontario Paper Co. & Guston T. Fitzhugh | Shelby | Damages |
Pltf. asserted dfnts. wrongfully conspired to damage and destroy pltf. for sum of $500,000. Fitzhugh was prevented from becoming a purchasing party of the Union & Planters Bank & Trust, and began to make arrangements to partner with Minnesota & Ontario Paper Co. to purchase the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Inc. Also involves the Nashville Tennessean and Knoxville Journal, Inc., and D. D. Robertson, State Superintendent of Banks. In 2 folders. Addtl file in WT2121. |
West | Range: 77 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 2098 | 281 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | Tennessee, Alabama & Georgia Railway v. E.L. Hunt | Hamilton | Damages |
Incomplete case. File includes brief, Hunt's petition for writ of certiorari, and a brief and argument in support of petition. Hunt, a commercial agent for defendant, sued for damages done to his household goods while in transit (the car derailed and dragged along track). Hunt was given judgment of $435. Defendant appealed to Civil Court of Appeals in Knoxville, who reversed and dismissed case and then Hunt petitioned to this court on certiorari. |
East | Range: 9 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1293 | 22 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | Town of Oneida v. John Smith& Emma Smith | Scott | Garnishment |
The defendant is indebted to the plaintiff. The plaintiff wishes to garnish the defendants' wages to repay the debt. |
East | Range: 10 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1333 | 50 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | T. F. Foster v. Hill Summers Chevrolet Co. | Washington | Debt |
Plea of debt due by wrongful seizure conversion and appropriation of one Chevrolet Sedan and the value of his interest therein and in violation the conditional sales contract under $500. |
East | Range: 10 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1356 | 81 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | Tennessee, Alabama & Georgia Railway Company v. Jean F. Brannon& Mabel V. Brannon | Hamilton | Negligence |
Plaintiffs sued the railroad co. for $10,000 damages. Plaintiffs were driving on Highland Avenue and reached point where several railroad tracks intersect and cross said avenue. Plaintiffs charged def. with negligently operating a train and not giving any warning when it collided with plaintiff's car, causing great injuries. Court ruled in plaintiffs' favor-$100 for Jean and $500 for Mabel. Def. appealed. Exhibits include 7 photographs of damaged car and railroad crossing and oversized map. 2 folders. |
East | Range: 10 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1378 | 174 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | The Equitable Life Assurance Society v. Richard J. Maddux | Hamilton | Debt |
Maddux sued the Equitable Life Assurance Society for the debt of $3,492.75 for failure to pay him on his life insurance policy after becoming permanently disabled. Parties disagree on whether or not Maddux has met the contract terms of the policy. 2 folders. |
East | Range: 10 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1324 | 137 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | T. H. Patterson v. The Greyhound Lines | Hamilton | Negligence |
Patterson sued the Greyhound Lines for $5000 damages. Patterson boarded one of def. buses from Chattanooga to Atlanta when it ran off the highway, down an embankment, and turned over-permanently injuring the plaintiff in her arm and shoulder. Court ruled in plaintiff's favor for $1500. Def. moved for new trial, was overruled, and then appealed. Court ruled again in plaintiff's favor but for $350. Def. again moved for new trial, was overruled, and appealed again. 2 folders. |
East | Range: 10 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1366 | 245 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | Volunteer Portland Cement Company v. Carl R. Smith | Knox | Damages |
Smith sued the cement co. for $100,000 damages. Smith made his living growing vegetables in greenhouses. The glass of the greenhouses had to be kept clean at all times. Def't plant poured out fine cement dust, destroying the usibility, comfort, and value of pla.'s home, greenhouses, and farm; covering the crops and rendering them unfit for consumption. Exhibits include 19 photographs, receipt books, etc. 10 folders. Case continues in ET 1329. Oversize ledger in ET OV 30. Broken glass in ET OV20. |
East | Range: 10 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1328 | 1767 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | Viva Franklin Day v. Interstate Life & Accident Company | Hamilton | Insurance Disputes |
Day sued the insurance company for $3500 due her on an insurance policy on the life of her husband, Ruby Houston Day. Her husband was killed by T. Earle Robertson who suddenly went insane and killed 4 people while they were working at J.W. Bell Milling Company. The insurance company refused to pay double indemnity, therefore Day sued. |
East | Range: 9 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1296 | 43 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | W. F. Dodson and Bessie G. Dodson v. Shelby County | Shelby | Damages |
Plaintiffs sued the defendant for damages to their property that occurred during road construction. They sued for $15000. Exhibits include photographs and 5 oversize maps. 3 folders. Oversize maps are located in M-17-19. |
West | Range: 77 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 2048 | 816 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | William K. Varnell & Eva Claire Varnell v. J. N. Moore | Hamilton | Injury and Damages |
Defendants sued for $1000 for personal injuries and damages to his wife, Eva Clair Varnell. Defendant lost control of his automobile and crashed into the plaintiffs. Exhibits include 4 photos of the accident scene and a letter recounting the accident. |
East | Range: 10 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1324 | 140 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | W. W. Hale v. Dora Martin | Washington | Damages |
Pla. is a 47 year old farmer living in the 13th Civil District of Washington Count and owner of a Walker and Trigg Hound. Pla. and the dog were involved in a fox hunt on the land of Opie Ferguson when Pla. lost sight of the dog. Several days later, Pla. found his dog buried on the land of the Def. After inspecting the dog's body, Pla. discovered that his throat had been cut. Exhibit material includes a dog pedigree chart. |
East | Range: 10 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1339 | 27 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | Wilhelm Klotz v. American Glanztoff Corporation | Carter | Libel |
Klotz sued the defendant for $50,000 damages. Defendant was a German corporation operating out of Elizabethton who manufactured rayon. Klotz was employed as an engineer to supervise the installation of machinery and improve manufacture of product. Pla. Was falsely accused by def. of being a commercial spy, stealing and selling valuable manufacturing secrets. Pla. Suing def. for damage to his home, his good name, and his reputation and for libel-making him unable to find employment. 2 folders. |
East | Range: 10 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1348 | 180 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | W. M. Higgins v. Franklin Fire Insurance Company | Unicoi | Insurance Disputes |
Higgins sued the defendant to recover $3000 due him from insurance policy. His house was destroyed by fire and despite demanding payment of said losses from defendant, they refused to pay. Defendant cancelled said policy but because defendant failed to make payment within 60 days, the plaintiff believed he was entitled to recover a penalty not exceeding 25%. 2 folders. |
East | Range: 10 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1347 | 261 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | Washington County Gas Company v. Harold Gray, by next friend H.C. Gray | Washington | Negligence |
H.C. Gray, father of Harold Gray, sued the gas company for $15,000. While plaintiff was driving his motorcycle on Walnut Street in Johnson City in a careful manner, one of the agents of the defendant (Lew Price) drove a Ford automobile in a careless manner by suddenly turning left and suddenly stopping without warning. Def. collided with plaintiff's motorcycle, causing him to be knocked several feet, causing permanent injuries and impairing his capacity to earn a livelihood. |
East | Range: 10 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1378 | 126 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | W. A. McEwen v. Mortimer I. Kahn et al. | Sullivan | Personal Injuries |
Additional defendants: J.R. Sternberg partners with Kahn under firm name Bristol Hide and Metal Co., and Jack Richards. McEwen sued for $10,000 damages for personal injuries. Richards was driving truck hauling hides and metals for co. at high speeds (35 mph) when he ran over plaintiff, causing permanent disability. |
East | Range: 9 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1296 | 164 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | W. M. Tibbs v. Victor E. Lederer | Knox | Damages |
Tibbs sued Lederer for unlawfully, willfully, and maliciously filing a bill in Chancery Court of Knox County against plaintiff in which bill it was negligently and falsely alleged that plaintiff was insolvent, was squandering his assets, and needed a receiver to take charge of his assets. |
East | Range: 10 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1300 | 114 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | Whittle Springs Methodist Episcopal Church, South v. City of Knoxville, Knox County & The Southern Railway Company | Knox | Damages |
Church owned land (w/church bldg) on west side of Tazewell Pike aka North Broadway (major city thoroughfare). Defendants excavated portion of North Broadway for underpass, adversely affecting church's land by significantly lowering grade of portion of road fronting land. Church trustees included J. M. Whittle (built Whittle Springs Hotel). Exh: 4 warranty deeds (church trustees are grantors), 2 blank church "institute diplomas", blueprint map of disputed area, 7 8x10 photos, 4 wallet photos. 2 folders. |
East | Range: 10 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1335 | 209 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | William D. Lyle v. Interstate Life & Casualty Company | Knox | Debt |
Lyle sued the Interstate Life & Casualty Co. for debt due by life insurance policy on the life of Nola Lyle, dec. after demand had been made and payment refused. Lyle sought face of policy ($225) and 25% penalty for withholding payment. Payment was withheld on the grounds of failing to pay the premiums. |
East | Range: 10 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1333 | 150 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | William Gourley v. N. W. Lakey | Blount | Personal Injuries |
Def. is the owner and operator of a small grist (corn mill) located in the 7th Civil District of Blount County. Said mill is powered by a Fordson Tractor. Pla. claims he was instructed by the Def. to crank the tractor in order to place the motor in operation. When Pla. attempted to turn the crank, the tractor threw the crank and severely injured the Pla. Pla. states that the Def. did not warn him of potential dangers. |
East | Range: 10 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1339 | 48 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | Will Sauls& John Lane v. Robert Samuel Fry | Anderson | Damages |
Def. in error was traveling by foot along the Dixie Highway where he passed a filling station, restaurant, and dance hall known as Shady Springs, and operated by the Pla. in error. As he passed Shady Springs, a dog ran from the building to the Def. in error and bit his leg causing injury and pain. |
East | Range: 10 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1339 | 70 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | W. C. Elkins v. H. W. Jones | Hamilton | Damages |
The plaintiff was an officer in said county and was performing his duties by standing in an intersection to direct traffic. The defendant was riding in a car he owned and was operated by his employee who failed to stop at the intersection and at a high and negligent rate of speed hit the plaintiff, who had his back to them. He was knocked unconscious and suffered a concussion and other injuries due to the carelessness of the defendant. Suing for $5,000 in damages. |
East | Range: 10 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1352 | 73 | Order A Copy |