Tennessee Supreme Court Cases
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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].
Tennessee Supreme Court Cases
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| View Entry | Year | Case Name | County | Cause/Crime | Case Description | Division | Location | # Pages | Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Entry | 1900 | Henderson House v. State | Lauderdale | Assault with Intent to Kill |
Victim: Dunk Goodrich |
West | Range: 82 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 677 | 11 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1940 | Homer Bowling v. State | Scott | Assault with Intent to Commit Rape |
Homer Bowling is charged with assault with the intent to rape a 69 year old woman by the name of Sylvania Newport….what makes this case unusual is that she is also the step grandmother of Homer Bowling. He was given a sentence of one year in prison. Homer Bowling claims that his step grandmother was trying to rummage through his pockets while he slept and when he woke up she had his dollar and was tucking it in her shirt. That is why he said he attacked her. He said he had no intention of raping her. |
East | Range: 8 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 801 | 29 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1917 | Huntley May v. State | Shelby | Assault with Intent to Commit Rape |
2 folders. The suit charges that Huntley May "did unlawfully feloniously violently and forcibly" made an "assault and battery on the person of Ruby Bratten, a female, with intent to commit rape" on January 3, 1915. |
West | Range: 79 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1600 | 689 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1928 | Ike Blevins v. State | Washington | Assault with Intent to Kill |
Plaintiff is appealing the charge of "Assault with intent to commit Involuntary Manslaughter." Case is incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 84 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1892 | James W. Foster, in error v. State | McMinn | Assault with Intent to Commit Rape |
Foster was accused of attempting to kill William T. Wattenbarger. He hid in the bushes in broad daylight while Wattenbarger approached on the road. The defense argued that the jury was coerced in its decision. The main evidence was a pair of shoes worn by Foster the day of the shooting, and the tracks they made in the freshly plowed soil of the corn field. |
East | Range: 18 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1969 | 181 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1916 | John W. Smith v. State | Bedford | Assault with Intent to Kill |
Smith was charged with assault with intent to commit murder in the first degree on Tom A. Russell. |
Middle | Range: 21 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 93 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1916 | Jesse& Earnest Manus v. State | Cannon | Assault with Intent to Commit Rape |
The victim: James St. John of Cannon County. |
Middle | Range: 21 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 130 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1915 | Jim Hop Hickey v. State | Putnam | Assault with Intent to Commit Rape |
Additional parties: Lizzie Sullivan |
Middle | Range: 21 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 134 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1915 | John Johnson v. State | Davidson | Assault with Intent to Kill |
Victim was Eliza Patton. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 362 | 28 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1928 | Jim Webster v. State | Anderson | Assault with Intent to Kill |
Plaintiff is appealing the charge of "Assault with intent to commit Voluntary Manslaughter." Case is incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 20 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1694 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1920 | John Tow v. State | Davidson | Assault with Intent to Kill |
Victim: F. A. Bumpous |
Middle | Range: 33 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 390 | 77 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1950 | John Hurley Jr. v. State | Greene | Assault with Intent to Kill | East | Range: 5 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 184 | 142 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1897 | James Oldham v. State | Haywood | Assault with Intent to Commit Rape |
Assaulted John Shaw with a knife & razor with the intent to commit murder in the second degree. Order to dismiss the appeal from the Haywood circuit court. Oldham's lawyer had an application for pardon signed by the judge & attorney general. It is not known whether the court was a civil or criminal one. |
West | Range: 82 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 653 | 55 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1902 | J. C. Partin v. State | Decatur | Assault with Intent to Kill |
Partin was sentenced to 2 years. While in prison, he argued for a new trial based on his accusation that it was W. F. Warden who attacked him and provoked the fight. Partin claimed that he was defending himself. Witnesses: Ludie Herdon (?), E. J. Houston, William Lavery, Joe Fuller, S. W. Snider, Gat Burchet (?), Dr. R. M. Brown (?), Millie Wilson (colored), and Thomas Hays. 2 brads not removed. Several sheets of browned pulp paper are fragile. |
West | Range: 31 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 843 | 33 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1902 | James Travis v. State | Henry | Assault with Intent to Kill |
James & Alvin Travis accused of shooting John Vandyke and Mellie Vandyke. Testimony: George Hobby, Raymond Hancock, Dr. L. A. McSwain, H. B. Sweeney, Walter Blackwood, Smith Lankford, James Sweeney, John Parkhill & Cora Travis. The Vandykes also testified. The case involves miscegenation: The Travis family accused John Vandyke (white) of raping their sister Cora, who gave birth to his child. |
West | Range: 81 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 843 | 51 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1946 | John Turner v. State | Knox | Assault with Intent to Commit Rape |
Made an assault upon Irene Owenby with the intention of forcibly having carnal knowledge w/her. In a motion for a new trial, E. R. Mynatt brought new evidence of the physical impossibility of committing rape in the coal truck cab. Owenby claimed she was walking home from the Appalachian Mills when defendant stopped and said, "Sweetheart you are going w/me." Evidence includes a swatch of plaid cloth and what looks to be the second page of a letter. |
East | Range: 8 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 792 | 260 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | John Mickels v. State | Knox | Assault with Intent to Kill |
Dissenting opinion only. Written by "Judge Nelson". Victim is not identified. Date is unknown. |
East | Range: 8 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 813 | 9 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1886 | John A. Miller v. State | Warren | Assault with Intent to Kill |
Victim: M. D. Smith alias Watt Smith. Assault with loaded pistol. Minus Miller listed as additional defendant |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 690 | 127 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1915 | Joe Exum v. State | Madison | Assault with Intent to Commit Rape |
Victim: Mrs. Cora Ellison. Exum is also charged with breaking and entering Mrs. Ellison's house. |
West | Range: 79 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1408 | 72 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1894 | Jordan Carothers v. State | Williamson | Assault with Intent to Kill |
Plaintiff in error and Alex Hodge were accused of shooting Ike Blair with intent to kill. Blair testified that he was attending a dance given by Robt. Wilson on the farm of Harve Temple when the plaintiff attacked him without provocation. Witnesses testified that it was Blair who first showed a pistol. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1031 | 59 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1918 | John Bell v. State | Gibson | Assault with Intent to Kill |
2 folders. Plaintiff was originally indicted for a charge of assault and battery upon Emmett Dement with a pistol with the intent to commit murder in the first degree. This file is an appeal to the original bill. |
West | Range: 79 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1506 | 262 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1932 | John Fields v. State | Campbell | Assault with Intent to Kill |
Fields was convicted of shooting Howard Ward because he was peeping through a hole in a carnival tent. |
East | Range: 10 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1372 | 81 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1892 | John Malone v. State | Davidson | Assault with Intent to Kill |
Plaintiff in error was accused of attempting to murder Sim Fuller with a shotgun. Plaintiff and Fuller were at Dick Arnolds store and saloon on the corner of Murfreesboro Pike and Fairfield Ave. when they began to argue about a cigarette. Fuller left the store and the plaintiff followed him out. The plaintiff asked Fuller if he wanted to fight and then shot him. Casefile notes Fuller lives on Fairfield Ave. in South Nashville. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 955 | 26 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | J. D. Isham v. State | Roane | Assault with Intent to Kill |
For assault with intent to kill on George Cook. Philip Wilson also took part in assault but was tried separately. |
East | Range: 20 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1654 | 63 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1915 | Jim Dan Hayes v. State | Cannon | Assault with Intent to Kill | Middle | Range: 21 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 130 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1928 | Joe Solter v. State | Washington | Assault with Intent to Kill |
Case file is incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 80 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1928 | J. H. Lee v. State | Hamilton | Assault with Intent to Kill |
Plaintiff is appealing the charge of "Assault with intent to commit Murder in the Second Degree." Case is incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 84 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1904 | Jerry Davis v. State | Washington | Assault with Intent to Kill |
Plaintiff is appealing the charge that he assaulted D. D. Pugh with intent to commit murder in the second degree. Case file is incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 91 | 3 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1946 | Jess Edwards v. State | Unicoi | Assault with Intent to Kill |
"Assault with Intent to Commit Voluntary Manslaughter." Victim: Floyd Tipton. |
East | Range: 5 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 119 | 24 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1947 | Joe Redmon v. State | Washington | Assault with Intent to Kill |
"Assault with Intent to Commit Voluntary Manslaughter." Victim: William Odom. |
East | Range: 5 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 123 | 135 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1948 | J. C. Thompson v. State | Knox | Assault with Intent to Kill |
Victim: G. Ray Cockran. |
East | Range: 5 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 167 | 14 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1947 | James Morrison, Jr. v. State | Greene | Assault with Intent to Kill |
Victim: Mable Blevens. |
East | Range: 5 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 183 | 226 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1891 | J. T. Smithwick v. State | Weakley | Assault with Intent to Kill |
The defendant fired his weapon at authorities when they came to his home with a warrant to arrest him. |
West | Range: 83 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 319 | 76 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1948 | Jimmy Swanner v. State | Bledsoe | Assault with Intent to Kill |
Victim: Leonard Stewart. |
East | Range: 6 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 255 | 40 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1944 | Jake Smith v. State | Greene | Assault with Intent to Kill |
Victim: Dale Jones. |
East | Range: 6 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 255 | 117 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1939 | Jesse Vickers v. State | Hamilton | Assault with Intent to Kill | East | Range: 6 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 314 | 113 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1944 | J. A. Williams v. State | Hamilton | Assault with Intent to Commit Rape | East | Range: 6 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 318 | 55 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1870 | John Mickley v. State | Knox | Assault with Intent to Kill |
Victim: William Merres |
East | Range: 8 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 813 | 5 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1914 | Jim Dock Hall v. State | Tipton | Assault with Intent to Kill |
Victim: John Wortham. John Wortham was vesting Robert Cotten. Jim Dock Hall arrived outside the window where Wortham was sleeping and shot him. |
West | Range: 79 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1347 | 135 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1931 | J. C. Fuller v. State | Knox | Assault with Intent to Kill |
Fuller was tried and found guilty of assaulting John C. Cox and attempting to commit voluntary manslaughter. An argument took place when Cox's friends Wright and Davis forced Fuller off the road--Fuller admitted that his car was undamaged, but that the incident did "irreparable injury to his feelings." Fuller pursued the two, but they cut him off again. By then Fuller was so agitated that he "applied to the occupants of the Ford an epithet suggesting canine maternal ancestry." |
East | Range: 10 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1843 | 515 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1946 | Kenneth Hackney v. State | Knox | Assault with Intent to Commit Rape |
Case incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 100 | 2 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1947 | Kenneth Lawson v. State | Scott | Assault with Intent to Commit Rape |
Victim: Rue Kennedy. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 111 | 43 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1898 | Lewis Guinn v. State | Hardin | Assault with Intent to Kill | West | Range: 82 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 646 | 118 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1935 | Lucian Asque v. State | Sullivan | Assault with Intent to Kill |
Victim: Howard Fletcher |
East | Range: 8 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 836 | 33 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1891 | Lon Wyrick, alias Lon Sharp v. State | Union | Assault with Intent to Commit Rape |
For assault & attempted rape of Mandie Wallace "a female under 10 years of age..." |
East | Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1767 | 12 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1927 | Louis Curry v. State | Hamilton | Assault with Intent to Kill |
Final Decree only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 72 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1929 | Luther Wilder v. State | Hamilton | Assault with Intent to Kill |
Case also includes a charge of Voluntary Manslaughter. Case file is incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 80 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1909 | Lonnie Hurdle & Bill Beasley v. State | Fayette | Assault with Intent to Kill | West | Range: 80 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1178 | 46 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1911 | Marvin Dickson v. State | Hardin | Assault with Intent to Kill |
Victim: J. H. Gardner. Assault with a knife and pistol. |
West | Range: 80 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1236 | 42 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1873 | Michael Cooney v. State | Shelby | Assault with Intent to Kill |
Michael Cooney assaulted Milton Gaurdlock, who was African American. |
West | Range: 84 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 15 | 0 | Order A Copy |