On the return day of the alternative writ, or on such further day as the court may allow, the party on whom the writ has been served may show cause by a sworn answer, and issue may be made thereon, and tried accordingly.Code 1858, § 3570; Shan., § 5334; Code 1932, § 9494; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 23-2006.
Tennessee Legal Code