Tennessee Supreme Court Cases
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].
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 | 1865 | Alexander E. Smith v. Conrad Eisenhower | Cocke | Other |
The Confederate Eisenhower (also spelled Icenhour) forcibly took a "rifle gun" from Union sympathizer Smith during the Civil War. Smith was asking for compensation. Governor Isham Harris mentioned in transcript. Case has its roots in the March 19, 1862, order of Tennessee's "Rebel Legislature" to confiscate arms from Union sympathizers. See also State v. Brotherton and Boyer (1866), Box ET 1139. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1132 | 6 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1932 | Al Taylor v. State | Cocke | Violation of Age of Consent |
Taylor was married with six children when he was convicted of violating Vege McAlister when she was 12-13. Their relations began in 1929 and ended in 1931 when her people learned of it. Taylor admitted to intercourse, but not to paternity of Vege's child. Counsel (former governor) Ben Hooper charged that she was a "bawd, lewd, or kept female" who also had relations with Hugh Hance and Carl Taylor. Lawyers also argued Vege's identity based on different spellings of her name, e.g., "Verge McAllister." |
East | Range: 10 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1413 | 208 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1926 | Branson Fine v. State | Cocke | Murder |
Final Decree only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 72 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1935 | Cleona Hooper v. State | Cocke | Murder |
Victim: Ed Brown |
East | Range: 8 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 900 | 47 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1938 | Clinton Reed & Robert Holt v. State | Cocke | Other |
Cause of Action: Attempt to Commit Robbery. Defendants appealed their conviction of attempt to commit robbery of $800 from Mrs. A. J. Holdway, a 71-year-old woman, at Mrs. Holdway's home on a Sunday evening. Exhibits include 2 bullets located in ET Oversize 29. |
East | Range: 9 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1117 | 333 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1936 | Carmack Woods v. State | Cocke | Murder |
Woods guilty of second degree murder of Tip [Tep?] Lovell. Testimony: Jim Crook Freshour, Creed Gregg, Beech Hicks, Walter Hayes, Eula Holt, M/M Joe Heritage, Mrs. Tep Lovell, Joe Shelton, Jalia Swatzel, Josephine Padgett, Jessie Lee Wood & Tom Wood. Prosecution was assisted by former Gov. Ben Hooper. Bulk of case could not be removed from binder. |
East | Range: 8 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 957 | 205 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1889 | Daniel Layman, in error v. State | Cocke | Liquor Violation |
The State charged Layman with selling liquor within four miles of a school |
East | Range: 19 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1838 | 61 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1926 | Estill Dover v. State | Cocke | Assault with Intent to Kill |
Order only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 68 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1937 | Edd Ray v. State | Cocke | Theft |
Victim: Standard Products Company |
East | Range: 8 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1000 | 151 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1928 | Elbert Sutton v. State | Cocke | Liquor Violation |
Plaintiff is appealing the charge that he possessed and transported liquor illegally. Case is incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 20 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1694 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1928 | Edgar Webb& Edom Sisk v. State | Cocke | Liquor Violation |
Plaintiff is appealing the charge that he manufactured liquor illegally. Case is incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 84 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1935 | Enloe Denton v. State | Cocke | Murder |
Victim: Vernon Ball |
East | Range: 8 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 836 | 595 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1937 | George Roberts v. State | Cocke | Larceny |
George Roberts is accused of helping to steal some chickens. He claims he took no part in the theft, but it was his companions. George also claims he did not know the chickens were stolen |
East | Range: 9 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1042 | 58 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1928 | G. W. Ramsey v. State | Cocke | Liquor Violation |
Plaintiff is appealing the charge that he manufactured liquor illegally. Case is incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 20 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1694 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1929 | Horace Hayse v. State | Cocke | Larceny, Grand |
Case file is incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 80 | 2 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1928 | Harriett Southerland v. State | Cocke | Liquor Violation |
Plaintiff is appealing the charge that he sold liquor illegally. Case is incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 84 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1935 | Hugh McMahan v. State | Cocke | Murder |
Victim: Don Chaill |
East | Range: 8 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 863 | 218 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1936 | Harley Pack v. State | Cocke | Manslaughter |
Victim: Swanney Sweeten. |
East | Range: 8 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 956 | 136 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1928 | Hilliard Costner v. State | Cocke | Liquor Violation |
Plaintiff is appealing the charge that he possessed liquor illegally. Case file is incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 80 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | Jennie Moore v. State | Cocke | Carrying an Illegal Weapon |
The State charged Moore with carrying a pistol illegally and sentenced her to pay a $50 fine and court costs or serve time at the workhouse if unable to pay. |
East | Range: 19 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1847 | 18 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1891 | John Jackson v. State | Cocke | Theft |
John Jackson, alias Rev. John, was indicted for stealing a "steer about five or six years old, worth forty dollars." The steer was the property of Austin Hall. |
East | Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1768 | 63 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | Joseph Hurley v. John Parks | Cocke | Trespass and Damages |
On May 1, 1858, defendant was said to have engaged in fraudulent horse trading, for having knowledge a gelding was unsound that was exchanged for plaintiff's horse and colt. Said gelding incurred cost plaintiff for medical care. Plaintiff sued for $400 in damages. Circuit court fount for plaintiff. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1139 | 23 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1878 | Joseph Gunter v. State | Cocke | Sabbath Violation |
Although not named in the case name, G. W Gunter, George Hooper, and Johnson Hooper were also accused of Sabbath breaking. These "evil disposed persons" were charged with squirrel hunting on a Sunday, evidencing their "manifest corruption of the public morals, to the evil example and common nuisance of all good citizens." |
East | Range: 20 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1630 | 21 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1929 | J. L. DeBoard v. State | Cocke | Disturbing the Peace |
Plaintiff is appealing the charge that he prowled houses in the town of Newport at night to see females undressing. Case file is incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 80 | 6 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1888 | Jesse Cole v. State | Cocke | Murder |
The state charged Cole and James Baxter with assault on the body of Samuel L. Large with muskets, shotgun rifles, and pistols charged with powder and leaden balls inflicting mortal wounds. |
East | Range: 19 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1844 | 109 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1935 | Joe Gammon v. State | Cocke | Murder |
Victim: Eula Gammon |
East | Range: 8 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 837 | 324 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1933 | John Jones, et al. v. State | Cocke | Murder |
Other plaintiffs: Ray Jones; Clifford Jones. For shooting & killing John Lee Brooks. |
East | Range: 10 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1458 | 80 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1928 | Luther Spurgeon v. State | Cocke | Rape |
Case is incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 20 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1694 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1928 | Mack Davis v. State | Cocke | Liquor Violation |
Plaintiff is appealing the charge that he manufactured liquor illegally. Case is incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 84 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1931 | Robert Smith v. State. | Cocke | Assault and Battery |
Additional cause of action: Drunk in a Public Place. Pla. in error is accused of is accused of beating and stabbing Luther Gammons and Clifton Bible. |
East | Range: 10 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1325 | 18 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1934 | Roy Costner v. State | Cocke | Fraud |
Cause of Action: Fraudulent Appropriation |
East | Range: 8 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 807 | 73 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | State v. George Harrison (col) | Cocke | Larceny |
Defendant was charged with larceny for stealing "one gray more of the value of one hundred and twenty dollars of the goods and chattels of Young Hudson" on June 10, 1885 Defendant is identified as "colored." |
East | Range: 19 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1861 | 66 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | State v. Wyly Grills | Cocke | Land |
Wyly Grills was charged with "unlawfully and feloniously cutting out and destroying certain land marks on the line between the lands of W. R. Fine and F. W. Grills" on Nov 10th 1886. |
East | Range: 19 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1857 | 7 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1947 | State, ex rel. R. E. Kellar& John Busler v. Charles Fisher, et al. | Cocke | Election Dispute |
Additional Defendant: Guy Freshour. |
East | Range: 5 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 125 | 133 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1940 | State v. Bruce Clift | Cocke | Other |
Cause of Action: Possession of Gaming Devices. |
East | Range: 6 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 411 | 65 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1940 | State v. Rufus Frazier | Cocke | Murder |
Victim: George Linder. Charge reduced to Voluntary Manslaughter. Defense attorney: Ben W. Hooper, former Tennessee Governor, 1911-1915. |
East | Range: 6 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 431 | 181 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1949 | State v. Rex Cole et al. | Cocke | Other |
Cause of Action - Cole, Bugg: Robbery. Clift: Aiding and Abetting. Charge changed to Involuntary Manslaughter. Victim: Thomas W. Johnson. Add. Defendants: Bruce Clift, Sanford Bugg. |
East | Range: 6 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 431 | 257 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1949 | State v. Chess Lovell | Cocke | Assault with Intent to Kill |
Victim: Mrs. Chess Lovell. |
East | Range: 6 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 433 | 157 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1940 | State v. Bruce Clift | Cocke | Carrying an Illegal Weapon | East | Range: 6 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 433 | 42 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1940 | State v. Glessie Costner | Cocke | Liquor Violation |
Cause of Action: Selling Liquor. |
East | Range: 6 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 433 | 40 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1945 | State v. Clarence Massey& Cordell Massey | Cocke | Robbery |
Victim: Arlie Murr. |
East | Range: 6 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 424 | 49 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1945 | State v. Estie McMahan-Laymon | Cocke | Liquor Violation |
Possession. |
East | Range: 6 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 428 | 35 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1942 | State v. Cecil Lane | Cocke | Reckless Driving | East | Range: 6 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 426 | 79 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1946 | State v. Enloe Denton et al | Cocke | Assault, Felonious |
Additional Defendant: Herman Smithpeters. Victim: Hud Murrell. |
East | Range: 6 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 426 | 121 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1947 | State v. Hubert Hall | Cocke | Murder |
Victim: Carl Grooms. |
East | Range: 6 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 426 | 255 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1944 | State v. Charles Busler | Cocke | Larceny |
Charged with larceny of certain wreaths, sprays of cut flowers. Eva Busler is also named as a co-defendant. |
East | Range: 6 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 430 | 261 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1945 | State v. Bonnie Fine McCurry | Cocke | Other |
Cause of Action: Keeping a Disorderly House. Supreme Court findings only. |
East | Range: 6 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 430 | 11 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1948 | State v. William Phillips & Lee Phillips | Cocke | Murder |
Victim: Burke Hayes. |
East | Range: 6 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 432 | 371 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1837 | State v. Archibald Sawyer | Cocke | Illegitimate Child/Bastardy | East | Range: 7 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 678 | 6 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1930 | State v. Till Hudson, et al. | Cocke | Assault, Felonious |
Additional Defendant: Eliza Hudson. Victim: Will Strange. |
East | Range: 7 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 720 | 16 | Order A Copy |