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
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 | 1881 | Benjamin M. Hawkins v. Thomas A. Kercheval et al. | Davidson | Contempt of Court |
Additional Defendants: Hugh McGavock, Casper B. Kulia, and James Turner, all policy commissioners of the city of Nashville. Kercheval was mayor of Nashville. The plaintiff was a police officer. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 671 | 39 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1907 | Biddy Doyle& Joseph H. Stotter v. State | Shelby | Contempt of Court | West | Range: 81 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 949 | 8 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | Brooks v. Fleming | Contempt of Court |
Date: Unknown. Court of Origin: Unknown. County: Unknown. |
East | Range: 5 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 31 | 2 | Order A Copy | ||
| View Entry | 1896 | City of Memphis v. Andrew J. Harris, et al. | Shelby | Contempt of Court |
Additional defendants: Andrew J. Harris, John H. Watkins, Henry F. Walsh, George Gantt. |
West | Range: 83 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 447 | 40 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1901 | Gilbert Moyers v. James Flinn | Shelby | Contempt of Court | West | Range: 81 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 777 | 15 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1919 | G. W. Walls v. J. F. Walden et al | Campbell | Contempt of Court | East | Range: 7 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 751 | 1 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1895 | J. N. Adams v. State | Henry | Contempt of Court |
Adams was accused of jury-tampering in a murder case though all of the captions are filed as "contempt." |
West | Range: 82 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 617 | 34 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1916 | J. J. Cannon& Virginia Hunt v. State | Shelby | Contempt of Court |
Cause of action: Virginia Hunt previously brought a suit against the Illinois Central Railroad Company of negligently killing her husband Charlie Hunt. Mort Gates and Mose Harrison filed affidavits testifying to seeing a train kill Charlie Hunt. These witnesses were found to be false. This case charges Virginia and J. J. Cannon of forcing Gates and Harrison to bring this false testimony. Case fills three folders. |
West | Range: 79 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1395 | 506 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1936 | Linda Holmes Ashton v. William M. Ashton | Knox | Contempt of Court | East | Range: 8 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 971 | 63 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1889 | Mary E. Moore v. East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia Railway Company | Sullivan | Contempt of Court |
Dispute over the stenographer for this trial, C. W. Mansfield, and his refusal to provide a transcript of this trial. Mansfield was under the employ of the defendant railway company- East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia Railway Company. |
East | Range: 19 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1824 | 16 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1889 | Mary E. Moore v. East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia Railway Company | Sullivan | Contempt of Court |
Dispute over the stenographer for this trial, C. W. Mansfield, and his refusal to provide a transcript of this trial. Mansfield was under the employ of the defendant railway company- East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia Railway Company. |
East | Range: 19 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1824 | 16 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1890 | Mary E. Wood by next friend W. W. Wood v. James L. Caple | Henderson | Contempt of Court |
Additional parties: J. T. Wilson |
West | Range: 82 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 512 | 29 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1945 | Raulston Schoofield v. Frank S. Darwin | Hamilton | Contempt of Court | East | Range: 6 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 471 | 47 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1820 | State v. J. H. Bowen, et al. | Wilson | Contempt of Court |
Additional defendants - John H. Bowen and Patrick H. Darby. |
Middle | Range: 21 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 179 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1902 | State v. John Franks, et al. | Hardin | Contempt of Court |
Additional defendants: Dock Ward, Frank Perry, Jim Cherry |
West | Range: 84 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1 | 76 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1880 | State v. William O'Bensh | Shelby | Contempt of Court | West | Range: 84 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 142 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1883 | State v. W. A. Wheatley | Shelby | Contempt of Court |
Defendant is accused of refusing to serve as a grand juror when regularly summoned by the Sheriff. |
West | Range: 83 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 210 | 11 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1884 | State v. J. R. Godwin | Shelby | Contempt of Court | West | Range: 83 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 253 | 9 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1929 | State ex rel. R. L. Kirkpatrick, et al. v. H. N. Bell, et al. | Polk | Contempt of Court |
Case file is incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 76 | 3 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1885 | State v. Walker Kennedy | Shelby | Contempt of Court | West | Range: 83 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 281 | 29 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1940 | State v. Independent Order of Beavers, Dam #21, et al. | Knox | Contempt of Court |
Plaintiff seeks contempt charge against defendant for violating previous injunction against gambling or selling of intoxicating liquors at defendant's place of business. Additional Defendants: Walter Scott, R. N. Davis, Mims Woods, Fidelity Bankers Trust Co., Daniel Briscoe Estate, |
East | Range: 6 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 315 | 96 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1901 | State v. H. B. Cheairs, et al | Obion | Contempt of Court |
Related to H. B. Cheairs' conduct in the practice of law, specifically as regards to a case involving Sarah Masterson, a prostitute. Additional defendants: J. W. Grant, J. P. Rhines, Charity Summers. |
West | Range: 81 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 772 | 86 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1902 | State v. John Briley, et al. | Hardin | Contempt of Court |
Additional Defendants: Dude Briley and Lige Steele. |
West | Range: 81 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 822 | 48 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1907 | State v. Biddy Doyle | Shelby | Contempt of Court |
Doyle was convicted for attempting to prevent the attendance of a witness in the case of State v. Harry Ruth and Dan Martin. Transcript begins on p. 7, which is badly crinkled. Pages are deeply creased on right side. |
West | Range: 80 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1004 | 24 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1895 | State v. Will Edmondson | Davidson | Contempt of Court |
State accused dfnt. of contacting Tude Williams, a State's witness under regular subpoena, and "hired, procured, and induced him" to leave and remain out of the State, beyond jurisdiction of the court. As of court date, Williams remained out of state. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1043 | 10 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1888 | State, for the use of Warren County v. F. M. Smith | Warren | Contempt of Court |
The court held two practicing attorneys--William T. Murray & F.M. Smith--in contempt, and fined them $25 each, for fighting in open court. Smith appealed the ruling to the SC, claiming he was only defending himself against Murray's attack on him, and that he was addressing the court when Murray began attacking him with law books and a chain. Smith lost his appeal to the SC. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 740 | 11 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1875 | State v. Samuel N. Neely | Maury | Contempt of Court |
In a prior trial Neely was summoned to the court, and agreed to appear, serving as a juror for three days. Following the third day he refused to come back to the jury. He argued that the jury fees were to be collected by the County from the losing party in the case and that the County or State has no power to enforce the collection of these fees. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 13a | 60 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1883 | State v. Charles Mullen | Shelby | Contempt of Court |
Defendant is accused of contempt of court for his refusal "to answer questions put to him on the witness stand." The case in question was State v. John Wendell, which concerned his selling liquor on Sunday. |
West | Range: 83 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 216 | 6 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1883 | State v. Jesse W. Page | Shelby | Contempt of Court |
Defendant is charged with contempt of court for "refusing to answer questions and testify on the witness stand" in the earlier case of State v. C. B. Galloway, indicted for retailing liquors on Sunday. Folder contains one legal brief. |
West | Range: 83 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 216 | 10 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1884 | State v. B. R. G. Warner | Shelby | Contempt of Court | West | Range: 83 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 251 | 36 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1948 | State v. Henry Underwood | Hamilton | Contempt of Court |
Judgment affirmed by Supreme Court of Tenn. |
East | Range: 6 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 298 | 26 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1946 | State, ex rel. J. Fred Bibb v. Jack McGill | Knox | Contempt of Court | East | Range: 7 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 573 | 50 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1918 | State, Ex. Rel, R. G. Brown et al. v. Edward T. Leech | Shelby | Contempt of Court |
Other ex rel: H.R. Boyd, R. E. King, H.H. Barker, Yandall Haun, A.H. Murray. This was a proceeding initiated in the Chancery Court to punish the defendant for the publication of an editorial in the Memphis Press. Contains: Motion, Petition of Edward T. Leech for Writs of Certiorari and Supersedeas, Reply to Petion for Certiorari and Supersedeas, an Additional Brief. |
West | Range: 79 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1569 | 419 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1932 | State v. O. L. Clark et al. | Cocke | Contempt of Court |
Additional defendants: Paul Fairfield, J. L. DeBoard, J. W. Hembree, S. P. Rinehart, John Mann, J. W. Hanson. Plaintiffs were held in contempt of court for creating a petition discrediting the court due to another case involving James Clark. Defendants claim that the court tired James Clark unfairly because the judge that tried the case was a friend of the victim, J. Shepard. |
East | Range: 10 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1424 | 50 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1934 | State Ex. Rel. Granville Hunt v. Martin Fleming, City Judge | Hamilton | Contempt of Court |
Hunt originally charged with contempt of court for failing to appear as a witness for the State against Arthur Smith, charged with larceny, on 28 Sept. 1933. Hunt argued that every time he brought the defendant to court he was released which implied that the City preferred him free to repeat his crimes. Defendants Arthur Smith, Fred Smith, & LeConner Hodge described as "small Negro boys" often brought into court on charges of larceny or burglary. |
East | Range: 10 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1569 | 49 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | S. J.[?] Blair, et al. v. Andrew Nelson, et al. | Loudon | Contempt of Court |
Additional defendants: not named. Additional plaintiffs: not named. Nelson was appealing his former imprisonment sentence for contempt during a trial versus the Board of Trustees of Loudon High School. |
East | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1592 | 8 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1914 | T. G. Tate, Sheriff v. State of Tennessee EX REL, Gilbert D. Raine | Shelby | Contempt of Court |
A matter of contempt proceedings against Gilbert D. Raine, arising during the progress of the trial of _Mrs. H. Rich, et al. v. Mrs. Mary Murrell, et al._, Circuit Court of Shelby County. Raine was the owner, publisher of the "Memphis News-Scimitar." He was fined $50 and sentenced to ten days in jail. |
West | Range: 79 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1378 | 185 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1907 | T. B. Caldwell, rec. v. W. J. Smith | Shelby | Contempt of Court |
Incomplete record- this is only the certified copy of order imposing penalty in contempt proceeding, and the order granting appeal and appeal bond. |
West | Range: 80 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1067 | 6 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1944 | T. T. Hughes v. Mary Hughes | Washington | Contempt of Court | East | Range: 8 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 796 | 9 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1911 | William Page | Contempt of Court |
Case is incomplete; brief only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 90 | 15 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1911 | W. C. Davis& D. D. Finney v. State ex. rel. J. J. Sims | Shelby | Contempt of Court |
Incomplete case. |
West | Range: 80 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1086 | 189 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1917 | W. S. McCormick v. J.A. Phillips | Shelby | Contempt of Court |
J.A. Phillips disobeyed an injunction of the court probhibiting him to construct a levee or roadway west of the old Turley Levee. |
West | Range: 79 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1521 | 92 | Order A Copy |