Law Enforcement - Historical Notes

Jails and Prisoners

The following act once affected jails and prisoners in Trousdale County, but is no longer operative.

1. Private Acts of 1943, Chapter 254, authorized the Quarterly Court of Trousdale County to compensate the county jailer in an amount at their discretion, but not to exceed $1 per day per prisoner.

Offenses

Some counties in Tennessee have made various activities illegal within their boundaries by the enactment of private legislation. The acts briefly summarized below fell into this category in Trousdale County.

1. Private Acts of 1907, Chapter 359, made it unlawful after the passage of this Act to erect or construct a building, the principal material of which is wood or similar combustible material, within two hundred feet of the Courthouse in Trousdale County. Those guilty of violating this Act could be fined from $100 to $500 plus costs, and, in addition, shall also pay the cost of the removal of the building.
2. Private Acts of 1911, Chapter 346, declared it to be unlawful to erect or construct a building, the principal material of which is wood or a similar combustible material, within two hundred feet of the Courthouse in Trousdale County. Those guilty of the same could be made to remove the building and pay a fine from $100 to $500 plus costs of the suit. If the owner refused to remove the structure offending, others could do so and the owner could be compelled to defray the expenses thereof.

Sheriff

The following acts have no current effect but are included here for reference purposes since they once applied to the Trousdale County Sheriff's Office. Also referenced below are acts which repeal prior law without providing new substantive provisions.

1. Private Acts of 1915, Chapter 353, stated that the Sheriff of Trousdale County would receive an annual salary of $750, payable semi-annually, provided he files a sworn, itemized statement with the County Judge, or Chairman, showing the total amount of fees collected and all income from every source with the exception of all fees for boarding prisoners and turnkeys. The Sheriff was prohibited from donating his fees to anyone. If the fees failed to equal the amount of the salary, the county would pay the difference.
2. Private Acts of 1921, Chapter 927, declared that the Sheriff would be paid $1,200 annually in Trousdale County, payable quarterly, on the warrant of the County Judge, or Chairman, provided that the Sheriff file a sworn, itemized statement quarterly with the County Judge, or Chairman, showing the amount of fees collected and the source of all the income of the office except those fees for boarding prisoners and turnkeys, and those allowed for court officers. It was unlawful for the Sheriff, or his deputies, to donate their fees to anyone.
3. Private Acts of 1923, Chapter 597, set the ex-officio or supplementary salaries of the Sheriff, the Circuit Court Clerk, and the Clerk and Master of the Chancery Court. The Sheriff would receive the sum of $800 annually, payable quarterly, in addition to all the fees of the office. This Act was repealed by Private Acts of 1933, Chapter 447.
4. Private Acts of 1933, Chapter 444, permitted the Quarterly Court of Trousdale County in their discretion to supplement the ex-officio salaries of the Sheriff, but he would not be allowed more than $800 per annum.
5. Private Acts of 1945, Chapter 65, authorized the Quarterly Court of Trousdale County to set the salary of the Sheriff of the county in an amount which would not be greater than $100 per month.