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 | 1946 | Arnold Maxwell v. State | Scott | Violation of Age of Consent | East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 111 | 44 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1940 | Arvil Brown v. State | Scott | Carrying an Illegal Weapon | East | Range: 5 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 145 | 36 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1871 | Bailey Butram, et al.v. State | Scott | Bond Dispute |
Opinion document. |
East | Range: 8 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 814 | 16 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1940 | Bobby Newt McDonald v. State | Scott | Larceny | East | Range: 5 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 132 | 36 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1935 | Bill Gosnell v. State | Scott | Liquor, Unlawful Transportation of | East | Range: 8 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 819 | 13 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1942 | Claude Kauffman v. State | Scott | Violation of Age of Consent | East | Range: 5 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 147 | 103 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1932 | Carl Honeycutt v. State | Scott | Forgery |
Honeycutt was charged with forging a $9.80 check payable to Tilmon Laxton; Star Drug Company endorsed it. Honeycutt claimed to have an alibi. He was sentenced to three years in the penitentiary. |
East | Range: 10 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1381 | 110 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1926 | Convey Low v. State | Scott | Manslaughter |
Order only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 70 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1940 | Charlie Sexton v. State | Scott | Larceny | East | Range: 5 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 149 | 42 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1931 | Charlie Gregory v. State | Scott | Liquor, Unlawful Transportation of |
Plaintiff in error is accused of transporting liquor. The original case also included Lizzie Wyatt as a defendant. Wyatt runs a restaurant and lunch counter out of her home. Plaintiff in error claims he stopped at Wyatt's to get out of the rain when Wyatt gave him the keys to her cellar and asked him to lock it. While in the cellar, Plaintiff in error found and picked up a jar of whiskey. A constable who had been watching the house confronted and eventually arrested Gregory. |
East | Range: 10 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1355 | 26 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1941 | Dr. D. T. Chambers v. State | Scott | Manslaughter |
"Involuntary Manslaughter." Shooting Victim: Hoyal Byrd. |
East | Range: 5 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 145 | 295 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1935 | Dave Harness v. State | Scott | Liquor Violation | East | Range: 8 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 818 | 17 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1926 | Ernest Goad v. State | Scott | Murder |
Order only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 70 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1941 | Elmer Sexton, alias Dutch Sexton v. State | Scott | Assault with Intent to Kill |
Victim: Curtis Keaton. |
East | Range: 5 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 149 | 52 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1871 | Ensley Jeffers v. State | Scott | Tax Collection |
This is simply a case of tax collection against Ensley Jeffers, a resident of Scott Co. Tennessee |
East | Range: 9 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1237 | 44 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1931 | E. A. Smith v. State | Scott | Liquor Violation |
E. A. Smith was charged with possessing liquor and was fined $250.00 |
East | Range: 10 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1372 | 13 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1926 | Floyd Strunk v. State | Scott | Liquor Violation |
Final Decree only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 72 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1928 | Floyd Lawson v. State | Scott | Carrying an Illegal Weapon |
Plaintiff is appealing the charge of "Carrying Arms." Case is incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 20 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1694 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1926 | George Lane v. State | Scott | Unknown |
Order only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 70 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1926 | G. W. Troxwell v. State | Scott | Liquor Violation |
Order only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 70 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1940 | Homer Bowling v. State | Scott | Assault with Intent to Commit Rape |
Homer Bowling is charged with assault with the intent to rape a 69 year old woman by the name of Sylvania Newport….what makes this case unusual is that she is also the step grandmother of Homer Bowling. He was given a sentence of one year in prison. Homer Bowling claims that his step grandmother was trying to rummage through his pockets while he slept and when he woke up she had his dollar and was tucking it in her shirt. That is why he said he attacked her. He said he had no intention of raping her. |
East | Range: 8 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 801 | 29 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1919 | J. E. Bell v. State | Scott | Manslaughter |
Incomplete case file. Bell was charged with involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to time a the workhouse. Mention of a request of pardon is made in 4th paragraph. |
East | Range: 5 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 6 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1954 | J. S. Brown v. State | Scott | Bigamy |
Plaintiff is appealing the charge that he illegally married Roberta Fair while already married to Mae Crowley. |
East | Range: 5 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 51 | 30 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1928 | Johnson Staley v. State | Scott | Liquor Violation |
Plaintiff is appealing the charge that he manufactured liquor illegally. Case file is incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 80 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1940 | John Chambers v. State | Scott | Robbery |
Robbery of a truckload of coal. |
East | Range: 5 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 145 | 163 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1940 | Joel Holt & Caleb Neal v. State | Scott | Carrying an Illegal Weapon | East | Range: 5 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 147 | 17 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1926 | John R. Sexton& Cal Masengale v. State | Scott | Larceny |
Order only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 70 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1889 | Joseph Griffith et al v. State | Scott | Murder, 1st degree |
This appeal case includes Maynard Griffith, plaintiff in error. The plaintiffs were charged for the murder of John Griffith |
East | Range: 19 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1799 | 82 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1893 | James M. Phillips v. State | Scott | Other |
Plaintiff in error was accused of shooting M. A. Byrd in Parker's Saloon located in Helenwood, Tennessee. Byrd was Marshall of Helenwood. Pla. testified that he had previously shot two men, "cut" a man name John Coffey, and hit a man with a bar glass. Cause of action: Malicious Shooting. |
East | Range: 19 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1718 | 70 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1932 | James H. West v. State | Scott | Murder |
West was originally charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Henry Slaven but was convicted of voluntary manslaughter. Widow Polly Slaven testified that West shot her husband with a .45 automatic pistol at the home of Morris Thomas. The Slavens' daughter Edna also testified. |
East | Range: 10 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1407 | 139 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1933 | Josh Sharp & Homer Stephens v. State | Scott | Liquor Violation |
For illegal manufacture of intoxicating liquor & operating a still. |
East | Range: 10 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1459 | 81 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1947 | Kenneth Lawson v. State | Scott | Assault with Intent to Commit Rape |
Victim: Rue Kennedy. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 111 | 43 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1926 | Lawrence Potter v. State | Scott | Arson |
Final Decree only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 72 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1940 | Luther Chitwood v. State | Scott | Other |
"Driving an Automobile while Intoxicated." |
East | Range: 5 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 147 | 25 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1853 | Major (a slave) v. State ex. rel. Myrah Looper | Scott | Rape | East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 59 | 47 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1926 | Roscoe Kidd v. State | Scott | Liquor, Sale of Illegal |
Final order only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 68 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1928 | Robert Troxwell v. State | Scott | Liquor Violation |
Plaintiff is appealing the charge that he transported liquor illegally. Case is incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 20 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1694 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1933 | Russell Troxel v. State | Scott | Liquor Violation |
Related to folder in box 149. Troxel and his brother are found guilty of possessing whiskey and brandy while these items were prohibited in the United States. |
East | Range: 10 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1519 | 13 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1935 | R. D. Forbus v. State | Scott | Murder |
Victim: Dave Jeffers. |
East | Range: 8 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 843 | 58 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1883 | State v. Jerry Smith & Gilbert Smith | Scott | Assault, Felonious |
Sheriff Cecil was the Uncle of the Smith brothers (Jerry, John & Gilbert), his son Riley Cecil was their cousin. Cecil & the brothers were at a saloon at Helenwood making a bunch of noise, when they began fighting. Jerry Smith shot and killed his cousin Riley Cecil & was Gerald hit him in the face with a rock. |
East | Range: 5 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 9a | 48 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1926 | Segel Sexton& Lee West v. State | Scott | Assault with Intent to Kill |
Order only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 70 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1944 | State v. John Evans | Scott | Manslaughter |
"Voluntary Manslaughter." Shooting Victim: Jasper Evans. |
East | Range: 5 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 147 | 33 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1927 | State v. Ezra Marcum | Scott | Liquor Violation |
Cause of Action: Manufacturing Liquor. Memorandum and Supreme Court judgment sheet only, no original case summary. |
East | Range: 6 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 376 | 3 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1888 | State v. Dennis Toomey | Scott | Murder |
Victim was Lewis Sexton. Murder occurred on July 4, 1888, in Helenwood, at a saloon. Case was eventually moved to Morgan County for trial. |
East | Range: 19 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1823 | 104 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1935 | State v. Dode Ross | Scott | Murder |
Victim: Crawford Maxey. |
East | Range: 7 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 783 | 48 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1932 | State v. Steve Bray & Virgil Bray | Scott | Rape |
Steve Bray indicted for raping Grace Wyricks, a girl under the age of twelve, on 29 June or 1 July 1931 (conflicting dates given). Virgil Bray indicted for "aiding, abetting and assisting" his brother Steve in the commission of the crime. Grace Wyricks 11 years & 11 months old when crime was committed; Steve & Virgil Bray 14 & 23 respectively. |
East | Range: 8 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 794 | 84 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1903 | State v. Leonard Stanley | Scott | Murder | East | Range: 8 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 812 | 4 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1891 | State v. Paint Rock Coal and Coke Company | Scott | Non-payment of Bank Note |
The state claimed that the defendant unlawfully refused to cash a certain check within thirty days after its issuance and refused to redeem a certain check in lawful currency. |
East | Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1768 | 12 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1936 | State v. Edward Hughett et al. | Scott | Larceny |
Additional Defendant: Basil Willoughby. They were accused of breaking into the depot house of the Cincinnati, New Orleans, & Texas Pacific Railroad. |
East | Range: 8 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 941 | 53 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1936 | State v. Charlie Boles & I. M. Shoemaker | Scott | Other |
Defendants indicted & found guilty of aiding and abetting in the escape of a prisoner under arrest. Defendants helped Lawrence Todd escape after he had been arrested for felonious assault in the shooting & wounding of Ed Mitchell. Exhibit Originally Between Pages 30 & 31 of Transcript. |
East | Range: 8 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1020 | 53 | Order A Copy |