Bobbie Bankston of Dayton dies from stab wound received in a fight that resulted over a pinball game Let us take a moment to remember 18-year-old Bobbie H. Bankston, a local taxi driver who bled to death from a knife wound he received in a fight with 35-year-old Walter Clingan next to Charley’s Place on…
In Memory
Rhea County Sheriff Fred Mullins & The Love of His Life
Reminiscing back upon a special couple from our little town of Dayton, Fred & Ida Mullins. Fred met Ida McClure at a community get-together in the Bogle’s Chapel community in 1923. On July 4, 1925, Fred, who was 19, took Ida, who was 18, to be his bride. This was a special day of celebration,…
Historian David Gray- In Memory
David Henry Gray, a recognized authority on the history of Chattanooga, Hamilton, and Rhea County, died on Tuesday November 8, 1988. A native and longtime resident of Hamilton County, Mr. Gray had lived in Coulterville, Sale Creek and Graysville, Tennessee. He attended school in Bakewell and went to the old Soddy High School, graduating in…
Dr. Theodore Mercer Bryan College
In Memory of Dr. Theodore Mercer Former Bryan College President Dr. Theodore Mercer, a Spring City native, was named Bryan College’s new President on July 1, 1956. Mercer came to Bryan with 13 years of experience in college administration. He did his undergraduate work at Bob Jones University, from which he also holds the Master…
Sgt. Major William A. Smith-In Memory
Retired Sergeant Major William H. Smith passed away at his home on December 5, 1931. His death came as a shock to the community. He had only been ill a short time. In the beginning of the war with the United States and Spain he enlisted with the Tennessee Volunteers and continued serving in the…
Crawford Brothers Of Dayton Meet Tragic Death
Harry & John Crawford Prominent Dayton residents Killed in Auto Accident John R. and Harry E. Crawford, brothers and prominent residents of Dayton, Tennessee were killed Friday night February 20, 1920, when their Oakland automobile overturned and rolled down an embankment on the Dry Valley Road about seven miles north of Chattanooga. The wreckage was…
Grave of Revolutionary War Solider James Ferguson Recognized
Tennessee Society Sons Of The American Revolution Col. Benjamin Cleveland Chapter Presents a Grave Dedication Ceremony Honoring Patriot James Ferguson SAR Patriot# P-157493 Saturday November 13, 2021, 1PM DeVaney Cemetery at 215 Chastain Reed Lane Spring City, Tennessee The Following Bio is courtesy of Jacob Ellis, President of the Rhea County Historical and…
Marianne Beechman-In Memory
Carver High School Teacher Dies In Class A Carver high school teacher became suddenly ill and died in the classroom Thursday morning September 17, 1964, around 10 am. Mrs. Marianne Beechman, 42-year-old teacher, became sick without warning while teaching a morning science class and fell to the floor. She was pronounced dead on arrival at…
Dayton’s Famous Hitchhiker Roger Whitfield
In this 1974 photo, Roger can be seen walking along Main Street near the Aqua Hotel sign. (Photo Courtesy Wallace Rice Collection) “Sir, can I have a word with you?” When most folks hear the name, Roger Whitfield, immediately what comes to mind is a hitchhiker along the side or the road in Dayton. Clyde…
Rhea High School’s Joe Paul-In Memory
Joe Allen Paul was a 14 year old student and football player at Rhea County High School in August of 1985, when he died from injuries he received in a motorcycle accident. Around 11:45 am on August 14, Joe was traveling east on Hwy 30 in the Old Washington Community when the motorcycle he was…