Tennessee Supreme Court Cases

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View Entry Year Case Name County Cause/Crime Case Description Division Location # Pages Order
View Entry 1842 Alfred Noel v. James F. Hooper Claiborne Defamation

Folder only contains cost bond for appeal signed by pla. & co-signed by James P. Evans. Plaintiff was Robert Noel, who sued by dad & next friend Alfred, claiming Hooper defamed pla. by accusing him of arson by setting fire to the house of Hugh Graham in the Town of Tazewell. Jury ruled for Def. Witnesses: Piles & Dan'l Marcum, James Fulkerson, Elijah & Newton Evans, others.

 East Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1130 29 Order A Copy
View Entry 1906 Commercial Publishing Co. v. Albert Benham Shelby Defamation

Supreme court case only.

 West Range: 80 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1013 45 Order A Copy
View Entry 1908 Combs Chemical Co. v. William Krauss Shelby Defamation

Case includes printed briefs.

 West Range: 80 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1138 143 Order A Copy
View Entry 1931 C. E. Rogers v. Independent Life Insurance Company Hamilton Defamation

In 1930, the plaintiff was an agent of the defendant and had been for many years, writing insurance policies and collecting premiums. He made a weekly deposit of $2.00 to the defendant, intended to hold them safe from any misappropriation of money from premiums. When the plaintiff quit, the defendant had $140 belonging to the plaintiff, to be returned with interest. Plaintiff alleges the defendant falsely composed defamatory libel to prevent the plaintiff from collecting his funds and damaging his name.

 East Range: 9 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1297 1189 Order A Copy
View Entry 1858 Elijah Girns v. Sterling Mayse Claiborne Defamation

The plaintiff was a man of mixed color and was publicly called "damaged" and "malatto" by the defendant. Plea of trespass on the case for false and malicious slander and defamatory words by the defendant and damages to the sum of $5,000.

 East Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1161 17 Order A Copy
View Entry 1885 F. C. Cornwell v. W. J. Burrow Trousdale Defamation

Cornwell is sued Burrow for $10,000 for falsely accusing him of perjury in a previous case (a lawsuit for replevin). Lengthy case is stored in two folders.

 Middle Range: 34 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 626 264 Order A Copy
View Entry 1839 George Morris& Elizabeth Morris-wife v. Stephen Parrott Campbell Defamation

Defendant spoke and published certain defamatory words concerning Elizabeth Morris the wife of Plaintiff, George Morris. The plaintiffs wish to recover one thousand dollars.

 East Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1137 10 Order A Copy
View Entry 1853 Johnathan Walker v. John Braden & wife Martha Claiborne Defamation

Walker states the defendants trespassed on his good name when Martha accused him of perjury in a former case they brought against him, marring his good name in the community. See also boxes 1123; 2a.

 East Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1151 29 Order A Copy
View Entry 1919 J. S. Griggs v. R. G. Buchanan Davidson Defamation Middle Range: 20 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 72 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1848 James Kelly v. James Craig Greene Defamation

James Craig accused James Kelly of stealing his money and Kelly is sued him for defamation and damages to his good name.

 East Range: 9 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1124 111 Order A Copy
View Entry 1857 Mary A. Moore v. Pleasant Homer Jefferson Defamation

The plaintiff states that the defendant maliciously intending to injure the plaintiff good name, fame and credit and to bring her into public scandal infamy and disgrace did utter defamatory words.

 East Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1154 23 Order A Copy
View Entry 1905 N. C. Perkins v. Commercial Publishing Company Shelby Defamation West Range: 80 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1029 458 Order A Copy
View Entry 1843 Robert C. Hansard v. William McHenry Grainger Defamation

Also malicious prosecution. Alleged defamatory words by McHenry: McHenry said Hansard committed perjury when testifying in a case the state brought against McHenry. Alleged perjury: Hansard testified that, on a day when McFarland's boat lay at anchor on Powell's River, above where McHenry had a fish trap & dam, Hansard saw the trap & dam & could see they obstructed the navigation of the river. Venue changed from Claiborne County to Grainger County.

 East Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1144 32 Order A Copy
View Entry 1850 Shadrick Jackson v. Robert Roulston Marion Defamation

Plaintiff claims that the defendant injured the Plaintiff's good name and brought him to public scandal, infamy and disgrace and to cause him to be imprisoned for a long space of time and thereby caused him to lose wages. Added 102 pgs 11/21/14: Roulston prosecuted Jackson for stealing bacon, salt & soap & the court determined the prosecution was frivolous, after which Jackson filed this suit against Roulston for defaming his good name by such prosecution.

 East Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1155 124 Order A Copy
View Entry 1871 State, on relation, W. P. Caldwell v. A. J. Harpole Obion Defamation

Harpole was accused of defaming the name of Senator William P. Caldwell. He allegedly sent an insulting, anonymous letter to Caldwell, then later, hung a poster with similar sentiments downtown. Poster and letter both speak of Caldwell's cronyism and personal benefits from political office. Creatively insulting language in letter. See also boxes 648; 513.

 East Range: 5 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 3 19 Order A Copy
View Entry 1857 Samuel Walker v. Nathan Morelock Greene Defamation

sued for $5,000 in damages for defamation after defendant allegedly committed perjury when he accused the plaintiff of fraud.

 East Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1157 80 Order A Copy
View Entry 1859 Samuel McCampbell v. Samuel Thornburgh Jefferson Defamation

Plea of trespass with damages of $10,000. The defendant maliciously falsified testimony about the plaintiff to the town, making the defendant also guilt of perjury.

 East Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1172 48 Order A Copy
View Entry 1861 Wilson Burchfield v. Thomas Russell Polk Defamation

Burchfield sued Russell for defamation for accusing Burchfield of perjury, claiming $2500 damages; also asked for attachment against Russell's property, claiming Russell about to fraudulently convey property to avoid execution of anticipated judgment. Alleged perjury was when Burchfield was witness in lawsuit brought by Russell against Lorenzo Dow Williams. Land subject to attachment: 160 acres in Ocoee District, Range 3, second section fractional township north, sections 10 & 11

 East Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1171 57 Order A Copy
View Entry 1828 Winbourne v. Blythe Sumner Defamation

Winborne alleges defendant spreading lies in an attempt to ruin his good name. Bad feelings between the two men arose out of a Sumner County Chancery Court case.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 188 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1897 W. P. Caldwell v. A. J. Harpole Obion Defamation

W.P. Caldwell was a practicing attorney in Union City, TN. Defendant wrote & mailed an anonymous letter to home of plaintiff (Weakley Co.) in 1896, willful and malicious defamation of the character of plaintiff. Letter received by wife, caused great distress. Then, posted copy of said letter in Union City. "You damned infamous old son of a bitch. You sold out to Pete Turney's gang while you were in the State Senate." "You old Argus-eyed Janus faced reprobate…" See also boxes 3; 513; 648.

 West Range: 82 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 513 523 Order A Copy