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 | 1937 | Albert Poe v. State | Polk | Manslaughter |
Poe was found guilty of attempted voluntary manslaughter. Earl Martin testified that Poe assaulted him w/a knife after Martin's date w/Ruth Davis (Poe's former sweetheart). Poe had threatened Martin before. |
East | Range: 9 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1076 | 13 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1926 | Bob McNeely v. State | Polk | Manslaughter |
Order only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 70 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | Christmas Watson v. State | Polk | Unknown |
Incomplete case file; order only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 21 | 1 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1857 | Columbus Witt v. State | Polk | Other |
For public obscenity. |
East | Range: 9 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1209 | 15 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1857 | David Westmoreland& Jesse Westmoreland v. State | Polk | Theft |
For stealing sacks of flour from Robert W. McClary and Henry Loudon. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1179 | 45 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1928 | Elbert Firestone v. State | Polk | Manslaughter |
Plaintiff is appealing the charge of Involuntary Manslaughter. Case file is incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 80 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1851 | Garland Smith v. Stephen Blankenship | Polk | Debt |
Smith complained that Blankenship, administrator of the estate of Samuel Patterson, owed him $220.00. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1155 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1904 | George Spurling v. State | Polk | Carrying an Illegal Weapon |
George Spurling is charged with carrying a pistol |
East | Range: 8 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 813 | 3 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1856 | Isaac Smith v. John Lea | Polk | Trespass |
Smith accused Lea of perjury and injuring his reputation in the community. Lea's words were said to be false, scandalous, malicious, and defamatory. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1179 | 57 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1932 | Jess Waters v. State | Polk | Liquor Violation |
"Possessing whiskey." |
East | Range: 5 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 173 | 23 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1928 | Jess Waters v. State | Polk | Liquor Violation |
Plaintiff is appealing the charge that he manufactured "intoxicating liquor." Case file is incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 76 | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1932 | Jim Prater v. State | Polk | Breach of Trust |
Jim Prater is accused of fraudulent breach of trust by one John Lewis. The charge stems from a note that was issued between the two men. |
East | Range: 10 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1423 | 12 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1933 | John McDonald v. State | Polk | Assault, Felonious |
Plaintiff in error is accused of assaulting Charlie Shelton with a pistol with intent to kill. Shelton was working in a field when the plaintiff allegedly began shooting at him from window in his home. Shelton and the plaintiff were neighbors and had been feuding for some time. Case sought to clarify the ownership of several shade trees. On the morning of the shooting, McDonald's wife Ida was arrested for threatening Shelton with a pistol. |
East | Range: 10 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1520 | 91 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1926 | John I. Loudermilk, S. L. Loudermilk& Charles Loundermilk v. State | Polk | Liquor Violation |
Order only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 70 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1928 | John Padgett v. State | Polk | Murder |
Plaintiff is appealing the charge of Murder in the First Degree. Case is incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 84 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1946 | James Boggs v. State | Polk | Murder |
Murder in the First Degree. Victim: Frank Clayton. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 109 | 185 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1877 | J. C. Allen v. State | Polk | Lewd Behavior |
J. C. Allen and Nancy Heady are accused of openly, and publicly engaging in acts of sexual intercourse without being lawfully married to each other. J. C. Allen was previously married to Anna Allen but the two divorced after J. C. had an affair with the said Nancy Heady. J. C. and Anna Allen had 6 children together. J. C. had at least two other illegitimate children. |
East | Range: 20 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1651 | 19 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1933 | Kimsey Owens v. State | Polk | Other |
Plaintiff in error is accused of visiting a bawdy house owned by Ralph Love located in Benton, Tennessee. A deputy sheriff heard loud cursing coming from the building and attempted to enter but was refused admittance. The sheriff then pushed his way into building and found several people drinking whiskey and others sleeping. A woman name Carver, who has a reputation for being of lewd character, was present. |
East | Range: 10 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1486 | 23 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1942 | Nick Crumley v. State | Polk | Driving Under the Influence/Driving While Intoxicated |
Drunk driving. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 109 | 53 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1932 | Oscar Hall v. State | Polk | Liquor Violation |
A. B. Green, a Polk County Sheriff, noticed Hall standing in front of the Antioch Church near Benton, Tennessee, and observed several people surrounding him. Upon investigation, Green determined that Hall was under the influence of alcohol. Agreeing not to arrest him if he went home, Green allowed Hall to enter his car and drive away. Shortly after, Green heard a crash and found that Hall had run off the road. He was then arrested. |
East | Range: 10 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1501 | 11 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1926 | Polk Taylor v. State | Polk | Other |
Cause of Action: Failure to Provide for Wife. Final Decree only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 74 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1933 | Ralph Love v. State | Polk | Keeping a Bawdy House |
Plaintiff in error is accused of keeping a house of ill fame for the purpose of prostitution and lewdness where drunkenness, quarreling, fighting, and breaches of the peace are carried on and permitted. Said building is located on the public square in Benton, Tennessee and houses a pool hall and restaurant. |
East | Range: 10 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1486 | 53 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1928 | State v. Mark Sisson& Virgil Thurman | Polk | Unknown |
Case file is incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 80 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1938 | State v. John Price | Polk | Liquor Violation |
Manufacturing whiskey. |
East | Range: 7 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 644 | 44 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1938 | State v. Jim Baker, et al. | Polk | Liquor Violation |
Add. defendant: Reno Carroll. |
East | Range: 7 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 701 | 28 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1891 | State v. B. O. Everett | Polk | Trespass and Damages |
The State charged the defendant(s) B. O. Everett Sr. and Beu Everett Jr. with trespassing and the destruction of valuable timber that belonged to S. J. Hamilton. |
East | Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1770 | 78 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1935 | State v. Robert Ledford | Polk | Murder |
Other Cause of Action: Involuntary Manslaughter of Buddie Shields |
East | Range: 8 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 848 | 53 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1935 | State v. C. J. Carden | Polk | Other |
The offense was "Public Drunkenness." The defendant's surname was sometimes spelled "Cardin." |
East | Range: 8 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 864 | 27 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1935 | State v. Willie Fowler | Polk | Murder |
Murder of Alfred Beavers. |
East | Range: 8 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 902 | 40 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1937 | State v. Jim Baker | Polk | Liquor Violation | East | Range: 9 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1076 | 23 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1850 | State v. Gabriel Deavers | Polk | Assault, Felonious |
On July 13, 1848, defendant & Lewis Deavers were said to have assaulted one Augustis M. Park. In the course of the fight, the defendants put one of Park's eyes out, resulting in great disfigurement. Defendants found guilty of assault & mayhem. Gabriel was sentenced to two years hard labor at the TN State Penitentiary. Interesting to note that Park was a witness to an earlier fight between defendant and several of his slaves, who came to investigate the commotion & intervene. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1134 | 125 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1843 | State v. Samuel H. Tummons & State v. John Austin | Polk | Incest |
Primary case is against Samuel H. Tummons on a charge of incest. The case against John Austin is for a recognizance bond guaranteeing Tummons' appearance in court. Apparently, neither Tummons nor Austin showed up in court. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1144 | 8 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1872 | State v. J. H. Hall | Polk | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way |
Hall charged with obstructing a public road by putting a fence across the road. Court ruled against Hall and he appealed. |
East | Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1210 | 18 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1931 | State v. H. W. Russell | Polk | Liquor Violation |
Russell charged and convicted of possessing a still for manufacturing whiskey and brandy. He was fined $100. |
East | Range: 10 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1329 | 33 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1932 | State v. R. H. Price | Polk | Liquor, Unlawful Transportation of |
Incident of 11 March 1932, defendant "unlawfully and feloniously did personally transport intoxicating liquors in quantity of one gallon or more into (State) to another point in county to wit: near Parksville." Court decision reversed by the Supreme Court @ Knoxville, 22 Oct. 1932. |
East | Range: 10 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1442 | 35 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1854 | State v. Henson Taylor | Polk | Other |
Henson Taylor challenged Ivin B. Brock to a duel. Although this was a long, honorable tradition in England & the south, it violated state laws. Cause of Action: Challenge to Duel |
East | Range: 5 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 9a | 8 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1926 | State v. John I. Loudermilk et al. | Polk | Other |
Cause of Action: Transportation of Intoxicating Liquors. Add. Defendants: S. L. Loudermilk, Chas. Loudermilk. |
East | Range: 6 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 403 | 33 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1926 | State v. Bob McNelly | Polk | Murder |
Victim: Dock Lewis, alias Doc Lewis. |
East | Range: 6 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 403 | 161 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1942 | State v. William Hedden | Polk | Murder |
Exhibits include b&w photos, shell casings, lead bullet, piece of textured rubber. Victims: Steve Dillard, Arlene Dillard alias Arlene Glowan, Lecia Hedden. See also ET box # 727. |
East | Range: 7 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 725 | 465 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1879 | State v. George Cunningham, et al. | Polk | Arson |
Opinion only, case summary not included. Add. Defendant: Harvey Haddin. |
East | Range: 7 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 749 | 2 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | State v. John Dyke Moore | Polk | Larceny |
Incomplete file. Judgment only. |
East | Range: 7 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 740 | 6 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1935 | State v. Jack Watson | Polk | Liquor, Unlawful Transportation of |
Defendant indicted for transporting more than 1 gallon of intoxicating liquors in Nov. 1934; had also been In possession of intoxicating liquors received since 1 March 1917. Peral Johnson, alias Peral Ryder, also charged, but found not guilty. |
East | Range: 8 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 851 | 27 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1936 | State v. G. C. Clayton | Polk | Murder |
Additional Defendant: Frank Burchfield. Clayton & Burchfield indicted in the shooting death of Dr. W. H. Niles on 21 Sept. 1934. Burchfield found not guilty; Clayton found guilty & appealed his sentence. Criminal Court was held at the Clemmer Bldg. in Benton as the Polk Co. Courthouse had been completely destroyed by fire 2 Dec. 1935. This fire also destroyed the original indictment in this case. |
East | Range: 8 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1020 | 94 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1858 | State v. Thomas L. Turney | Polk | Lewd Behavior |
Turney charged with lewdness for cohabiting with Jaila Tyree aka Jaila Paul as husband & wife & having intercourse with her without being married to her. Jury convicted him, fined him $50 & confined him in prison for 1 month. Some testimony indicated 3 other women "of ill fame & lewd character" were in the habit of visiting Turney's house. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1160 | 14 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1931 | State v. Ethel Long & Carl Cross | Polk | Lewd Behavior |
Long & Cross charged and convicted of living together without being married and engaging in lewd acts of fornication and adultery. They were fined $50 each and sentenced to county jail for 30 days. |
East | Range: 10 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1320 | 19 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1931 | State v. Winston Rose | Polk | Liquor Violation |
Rose charged and convicted of transporting 1 gallon or more of whiskey. He was sentenced to the penitentiary for not more than 1 year. |
East | Range: 10 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1326 | 37 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1931 | State v. W. R. Atchley | Polk | Liquor Violation |
Atchley charged and convicted of making and possessing whiskey. He was fined $250. |
East | Range: 10 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1329 | 12 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1931 | State v. Bill Padgett | Polk | Liquor Violation |
Padgett convicted of possessing still & manufacturing liquor, fined $250, sentenced to 90 days in jail. On a raid, deputy sheriffs W.C. Pierce & N.M. Waldrop found Padgett at a complete still w/beer/mash in it. Padgett waved his hands (as if to signal), then fled. |
East | Range: 10 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1327 | 16 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1933 | State v. Lester Johnson | Polk | Manslaughter |
Defendant charged and convicted of manslaughter after attacking a Charlie Dunn with a knife. |
East | Range: 10 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1562 | 135 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1928 | Tom (W. T.) Corvin v. State | Polk | Murder |
Plaintiff is appealing the charge of Murder in the 2nd Degree. Case file is incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 80 | 1 | Order A Copy |