Tennessee Research Search

Additional cause of action: Liquor possession.

The State charged the Cyrintha Conley with "lewd and sexual intercourse" with various men and the unlawful running of an "ill-governed and disorderly house" of prostitution. There is testimony against the woman for keeping a house "for the purpose of enabling white men to colored women or white women to men for sexual intercourse." Conley claimed that her hatred for black people (though black herself) and their hatred for her was what caused her prosecution.

For keeping "a disorderly house where she did suffer and permit men, as well as women, of evil name and of dishonest conversation, there unlawfully to frequent and come together, there to be and remain, day time and night time, drinking, tippling, whoring , fighting, quarreling, cursing, and using vulgar and obscene language…"

State alleged that John O'Neal, Ruth O'Neal, and Nancy O'Neal kept a "disorderly house" for the purpose of prostitution.

J.F. Keegan was charged with "keeping a disorderly house by permitting various evil-minded, dissolute and reckless persons to assemble there for the purpose of drinking, fighting and breaches of the peace, and for the purpose of prostitution and lewdness"

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.

Actual charge: "Letting house for purpose of keeping house of ill fame…and place where men and women of evil name and fame assembled and congregated for the purpose of prostitution and lewdness."

Cause of Action: Keeping a Disorderly House.

The State charged the defendant with "keeping a house of ill fame," for the purpose of "prostitution and lewdness, quarreling, fighting, and breach of the peace." The circuit court found Ferguson guilty

Verdict: Guilty, affirmed on appeal to Supreme Court.

For keeping "a certain ill governed disorderly and bawdy house . . . suffering and permiting [sic] men and women of ill fame name and reputation to meet and be together at said house for the purpose of prostitution and having ilicit [sic] intercourse with each other for the proffit [sic] and gain of said Anderson Reynolds."

Verdict: Guilty, reversed on appeal to Supreme Court. Additional Defendants: Annie Barger.

The State charged Woodlee with running a "disorderly house." The jury found her guilty "hesitatingly," and fined her $5.

Noel Hall is accused of keeping a house of ill fame or bawdy house in the county of Obion. Several witness accounts of women in their night clothes drinking, smoking, cursing and talking to men are documented in this case.

Philips charged with keeping & maintaining "a certain common ill-governed and disorderly house" & in said house, for his own "lucre and gain," caused certain persons "of dishonest conversation" to frequent & engage in conduct such as "drinking, tippling, whoring, and misbehaving themselves." Jury found Philips guilty

2 folders. The defendant was indicted for unlawfully and publicly keeping a house of "ill fame" and permitting various "evil minded and dissolute persons" to assemble for the purposes of prostitution and lewdness to the point of being a public nuisance. Found guilty and fined $400 and three months in the county work house.