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 | (unknown) | Henry | (unknown) |
The first 32 pages of this case are missing, pages that would have included much valuable information, including the style, charges & verdict. The extant pages consist solely of testimony involving a train and a woman who was injured. Witnesses include Julia Ann Muzzall, W. E. Walters, A. W. Rogers, William G. Hastings, Dr. L. L. Duncan, A. M. Muzzall, H. C. French, J. M. Neal, T. B. Sprouse, John Butten, J. W. Fristol, T. A. Pyle, A. S. Clute, R. J. Crenshaw, and Ben Thompson. |
West | Range: 82 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 631 | 399 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1935 | Alla E. Boyd v. Golden Peacock, Inc. | Henry | Damages |
Pltf. sued to recover $230 in damages due by breach of contract. Employed by dfnt., pltf. claimed they refused pay her for hours worked. Boyd claimed the dfnt. sold items for cheaper in the drug stores, but still expected her to keep up her sales. Boyd gave the example of Golden Peacock Bleach Cream sold in stores for $.69, but she was forced to sell it for $1.00. |
West | Range: 76 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 2224 | 125 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | A. Hall v. W. F. Bowden & J. W. Walker | Henry | Debt |
Actual charge reads, "Debt due by note under five hundred dollars." Folder includes two briefs. |
West | Range: 83 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 212 | 23 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1894 | Ab Hinson v. State | Henry | Other |
Ab Hinson was charged with keeping his saloon open for business on a Sunday. |
Middle | Range: 82 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 609 | 26 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1915 | Altie Vandyke v. State | Henry | Rape |
victim: Lucy Patterson; sentenced to 10 years in penitentiary; case includes assignment of error, brief and argument |
West | Range: 79 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1407 | 81 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1873 | B. L. Simmons v. E. Arbuckle | Henry | Theft |
Confederate soldiers steal buggy. Some of Col. Roger's men took it from the house of Mrs. Piety James . |
West | Range: 84 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 15 | 330 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1875 | Bradley Wood v. R. C. Curd | Henry | Debt Dispute | West | Range: 84 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 44 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1881 | Bamberger Bloom & Co. v. J. W. Davis | Henry | Debt |
Debt of $400.00 owned by Davis to said company. Davis owned a dry goods store in Cottage Grove, Tenn. Court ordered seizure of goods to satisfy debt with Bamberger. |
West | Range: 84 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 175 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1875 | B. J. Milam v. Henry Greer et al. | Henry | Unknown |
Additional Defendant: J. N. Thomason. |
West | Range: 83 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 199 | 37 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1890 | Betty Brown, et al. v. J. M. Hudson, et al. | Henry | Unknown |
Only document is report on case prepared by court clerk. Other plaintiffs and defendants not listed. |
West | Range: 82 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 497 | 21 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1905 | B. S. Aden v. State | Henry | Murder |
Victim: Jack Hancock |
West | Range: 80 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1017 | 162 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1913 | Bob Green v. State | Henry | Murder |
Victim: Green Todd |
West | Range: 79 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1308 | 104 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1913 | B. T. Hudson v. John H. Hastings | Henry | Damages |
Hudson sued Hastings claiming that Hudson lured his wife, listed as Minnie Hinson, away from him. Hudson sought $15000 in damages for mental anguish. Hastings claimed that Hinson was not married to Hudson but was married to W. B. McDonald. Includes published "Petition to Re-hear and Brief and Argument in Support of Same" filed for Hudson. |
West | Range: 79 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1336 | 105 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1917 | Billie Patterson v. State | Henry | Tippling |
Billie Patterson, described in the case as a "laborer," is charged with unlawfully selling and tippling "malt, vinous, spiritous and other intoxicating liquors." |
West | Range: 78 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1625 | 7 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1883 | Bishop Brothers v. Louisville & Nashville Railroad Co. et al | Henry | Garnishment |
Railroad also owed James L. Bradley of firm L. Bradley & Sons $78.33. |
West | Range: 83 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 225 | 29 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | Bayler W. Brown v. W. F. Hall | Henry | Damages | West | Range: 83 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 396 | 10 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1935 | B. G. Largent v. Diggs Hardware & Furniture Co. | Henry | Damages |
Pltf. sued for $10,000 in damages after dfnt. truck hit pltf. Largent was standing within the parking lines on E. Washington St. in Paris, clear of impeding traffic. The truck, operated by Buster Davis and Charlie Hill, without signal or warning, drove into the parking space smashing Largent's right leg between the front bumper of the truck and the rear bumper of the car parked in the space. Truck: Ford, Motor No. A-3904002, lic. No. 25-257. Ex. mat: x-rays. 2 folders. |
West | Range: 76 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 2223 | 317 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1893 | Corporation of Paris v. Charles Thomason | Henry | Disturbing the Peace | West | Range: 83 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 382 | 8 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1901 | Chicago Portrait Co. & H. O. Freeman v. R. E. Routon | Henry | Tax Collection |
Freeman was a salesman in the county but had not obtained a peddler's license nor had he paid taxes on pictures & frames the company sold. (Freeman's job was to travel & take orders for company products.) Routon was Deputy County Clerk. Sample receipt, or "ticket," is found on p. 9. Case provides a good record of period retail art & photo reproduction in pastels, crayon, and sepia. |
West | Range: 81 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 803 | 27 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1914 | Charles Williams v. State | Henry | Neglect of Duty |
Refused to work the public road known as the Mandeville and Mays Bridge road so it remained in bad condition and dangerous for public travel |
West | Range: 79 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1353 | 39 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1918 | Carl Travis v. State | Henry | Murder |
Victim: James Travis; weapon: gun; plaintiff in error case |
West | Range: 79 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1509 | 88 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1926 | C. M. Cravens v. State | Henry | Liquor, Unlawful Transportation of |
C.M. Cravens, originally indicted jointly with Haynes Cravens (who was alter acquitted) of transporting intoxicating liquor in the quantity of one gallon or more from one place to another in Henry County. |
West | Range: 78 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1875 | 58 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1926 | C. G. Abernathy v. State | Henry | Embezzlement |
Abernathy was accused of unlawfully, feloniously, fraudulently, knowingly, and falsely did make and upon the checkbook stub of the Paris Hardware Co. Abernathy was not over 18, not an apprentice, but was the secretary, treasurer, and general mgr. of said company. |
West | Range: 78 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1855 | 27 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1873 | C. C. Bevill v. L & N Railroad Co. | Henry | Negligence | West | Range: 84 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 91 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1875 | Cade Wall v. Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company | Henry | Damages |
Killing one cow. |
West | Range: 84 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 120 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1882 | C. J. F. Hurt v. Calvin Allen | Henry | Replevin |
No title page. Concerns the return of a horse. |
West | Range: 84 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 209 | 36 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1824 | Charles Shearman v. Jeremiah Smith | Henry | Debt Dispute |
This case was in a Middle Tennessee box although it was heard in Henry County, West Tennessee. This case is an appeal of a Debt ruling against Charles Shearman. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 365 | 12 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1906 | Carter Epps v. State | Henry | Assault, Felonious |
Victim: Elmus Collins |
West | Range: 81 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 979 | 11 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1913 | C. F. Williams v. N. C. Collins | Henry | Appeal for New Trial |
C. F. Williams was the Road Superintendent for Henry County. Collins sued for damages due to unmaintained roads and won. This case is Williams sued for a new trial in attempt to overturn the original verdict. Damages listed as value of $25.00. Defendant is also listed as Ernest Collins on case docket # 21590. All items filed in same folder as they appear to be the same case. One case was filed in Henry County Law #1 and the other in Henry County Law #2. |
West | Range: 79 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1335 | 50 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1914 | City of Paris v. H. S. Sprigg | Henry | Damages |
The defendant sued the city of Paris for $25,000 damages after being thrown from his buggy due to a large hole in the center of one of the streets. |
West | Range: 79 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1356 | 145 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1931 | C. C. Rogers and Mary Jones v. State | Henry | Liquor, Unlawful Transportation of | West | Range: 77 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 2045 | 53 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1926 | Cloys Martin v. State | Henry | Carrying an Illegal Weapon | West | Range: 77 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 2023 | 9 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1919 | City of Paris v. Dallas Smith | Henry | Liquor, Unlawful Transportation of |
Defendant was charged with illegal transportation of liquor within the jurisdiction of the plaintiff. |
West | Range: 78 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1673 | 41 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1925 | C. J. Milliken et al. v. A. A. Doty et al.. | Henry | Breach of Warranty |
Additional plaintiffs: Herman H. Milliken. Additional defendants: W. D. Cooper, T. W. Doty, Chelsey Alexander, Mrs. Sunshine Doty, Mrs. Lizzie Cooper, Mrs. Kate Alexander & Mrs. Ethel Doty. Plaintiffs bought 3 tracts of land from defendants and after moving onto said land they had it surveyed and the surveyor found that it was only 237 acres instead of the 270 acres they paid for. In 1912, 32 acres of land near land in question had been sold to F. H. Bellamy. Plat map is located on page 62. |
West | Range: 78 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1839 | 201 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1875 | D. V. McMichael v. Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company State v. Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company | Henry | Trespass | West | Range: 84 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 44 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1915 | D. C. Patrick v. W. H. Claypool, D. D. Dumas, Jr.& E. E. Davis individual& as Partners trading under the firm name& style of Henry County Automobile Company, of Paris, Tenn | Henry | Negligence |
Plaintiff's Cadillac was being stored at defendants' garage where it caught fire and burned. Plaintiff was awarded $250. |
West | Range: 79 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1440 | 56 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1925 | D.G. Steele, admr. v. Louisville & Nashville Rail Road Company | Henry | Compensation |
D.G. Steele was the administrator for R.R. Chandler. Chandler was driving his automobile over railroad tracks, operated by Louisville and Nashville Rail Road Company. Chandler's car was hit by a train, and Chandler sustained fatal injuries that killed him about 40 minutes after impact. Steele is arguing that the train did not give warning of its approach, which caused Chandler's death. Steele is suing for compensation for Chandler's wife and two minor children. |
West | Range: 77 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1923 | 248 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1894 | Dr. William Smith v. State | Henry | Other |
Dr. William Smith is charged with cutting down trees in a cemetery in Henry County, Tennessee. |
West | Range: 82 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 609 | 54 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1912 | Elizabeth Toombs v. Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company, et al. | Henry | Damages for Wrongful Death |
Additional defendant: Thomas A. Buford. The plaintiff's husband, Willis Toombs, died as a result of injuries sustained from being struck by a train. Page count does not include published materials. |
West | Range: 79 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1328 | 226 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1911 | Emma Boone, et al. v. Green Smith, et al. | Henry | Estate Dispute |
Additional plaintiffs: J. T. Boone, husband. Boone also spelled Boon. Additional defendants: James Carter. Martha Ann Ray, deceased. |
West | Range: 80 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1188 | 99 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1913 | E. B. Sweeney v. Parisian Publishing Company & J. T. Gatlin | Henry | Damages |
Sued for $5000. Sweeney leased a printing facility from Parisian. Sweeney claimed that Parisian failed to keep equipment maintained, resulting in lost business for Sweeney. |
West | Range: 79 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1354 | 78 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1888 | F. B.& R. E. Gallion v. J. C. Stewart | Henry | Conversion |
J. C. Stewart sued on behalf of his son, J. C. Stewart, Jr. |
West | Range: 83 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 432 | 16 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1897 | G. L. Fryer, admr., of Andrew Lanom, dec. for the use& benefit of Sallie Berry & son, Houston Lanom v. L & N Railroad Co. | Henry | Damages |
Plaintiff accuses railroad of willfully, maliciously, and negligently running a train engine over the body of her son, Andrew Lanom. Contains Mrs. Berry's pauper oath. Cover page is missing, so the date of filing is an educated guess. No docket number found. |
West | Range: 82 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 518 | 114 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1901 | George W. Matthewson v. Henry County | Henry | Debt for Wages |
George W. Matthewson is sued Henry County for $72. He was employed by the County Health Examiner and he worked for the county for 72 days at a wage of $1.00 per day. He was employed to help round up all citizens with smallpox. He sues for his wages. |
West | Range: 81 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 751 | 17 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1903 | George E. Rauscher & H. B. Cowan v. A. B. White, Cashier | Henry | Damages | West | Range: 81 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 870 | 51 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1917 | George Porter v. State | Henry | Motion to Tax Court Costs |
Plaintiff filed motion for the use of Harry Hancock. sued to re-tax cost of an original bill in which Porter was arrested for carrying a dirk or a knife. |
West | Range: 79 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1457 | 13 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1927 | George Bass v. Ezell & Crass | Henry | Promissory Note |
Deft. company sold pltf. Bass for "one Hot Blast (heating stove)" on note for $30. Bass was delinquent on payment of note. Dfnt. claimed property was being withheld by pltf. Pltf. proved the possession belonged to a man named Perkins, who demanded possession of stove after meeting Bass in the street. |
West | Range: 77 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1916 | 23 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1884 | George Kennedy v. Mary R. Kennedy | Henry | Divorce | West | Range: 83 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 222 | 37 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1897 | Globe Building & Loan v. W. E. Weldon | Henry | Debt |
Two briefs are included. Exhibits include invoice, check, letters and bylaws. |
West | Range: 82 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 526 | 51 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1903 | George E. Rauscher, H. B. Cowan v. Alex B. White, cashier | Henry | Other |
Defendants were sureties for J.O. Gambill on a note to Commercial Bank of Paris (TN), for $1,000, 15 Jan. 1896. Plea in abatement. Patterson & Stratton, solicitors. |
West | Range: 81 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 854 | 13 | Order A Copy |