Photo on the left was taken in 1965 as the Rev. Charles Jones reflects on Bryan’s funeral in Dayton. Photo on the right was taken just after Bryan’s death in July of 1925 as his body is returned to the Rogers home for his funeral service. (Photos Collection of Dean Wilson) William Jennings Bryan attended…
Scopes Trial Related
Robinson’s Welcomes John Thomas Scopes Back To Dayton 1960
The feature photo above shows John Thomas Scopes in 1960 when he returned to Dayton for the premier of “Inherit The Wind” during the 35th Anniversary celebration of the famous trial which took place in July of 1925. A few things had changed in Dayton since Scopes had left. Back in 1925, W.C “Sonny” Robinson…
Last Photo of William Jennings Bryan
Last Photo Taken Hours Before Bryan’s death in Dayton on July 26, 1925 Very few people actually know that the last photograph taken of William Jennings Bryan on the day of his death was taken by Herschel Keith a local Chattanoogan. Mr. Keith was driving Bryan to Dayton from a luncheon date in Chattanooga. It…
Robinson Family Donates Famous Scopes Trial Table
The Table Where The 1925 Scopes Trial Originated Was Donated To The Tennessee State Museum By The Robinson Family A conversation which started around a small round table in Robinson Drug Store in May of 1925 resulted in an event that is still discussed today nearly 100 years later. In 1925, Tennessee introduced a law…
Luke Morgan Home
Clarence Darrow Stayed Here During The 1925 Scopes Trial This home was located on the south side of 2nd Ave just west of Walnut Street. Today in 2021, there is a children’s play park (Stella’s Place) on this site that belongs to the First Baptist Church of Dayton. During the Scopes Trial in July of…
Where It All Started
Robinson’s Drug Store Table Where the 1925 Scopes Trial Started This little round table is where it all started in 1925. George Rappleyea sat down at this table with an idea to put Dayton on the map. His idea was for one of Rhea County’s High School teachers to accept the ACLU’s offer looking for…
Scopes Trial Jury 1925
1925 Scopes Trial Jury Dayton Tennessee Standing at the extreme left is Rhea County Sheriff R.B. Harris and to the extreme right is Judge John Tate Raulston. Front Row (L-R) W.G. Taylor Farmer J.H. Bowman Farmer and Cabinet Maker- Methodist J.R. Thompson Farmer and Ex Marshall-Methodist W.G. Day Farmer-Baptist R.L. Gentry Farmer and…
F.E. Robinson’s Children Witness History
In this photograph taken during the 1925 Scopes Trial, F.E. Robinson appears with his two small children, W. C. “Sony” and Frances. Sitting around the table where it all began were the Robinson’s along with the famous monkey “Mindy” and its guardian. Everyone in the photograph has since passed away. Frances Gabbert, who was only…
Sue K. Hicks Scopes Trial Attorney Dies
Judge Sue K. Hicks, the attorney who assisted William Jennings Bryan in the 1925 Scopes “monkey trial” and whose given name was celebrated in a song, died on June 17, 1980, in a convalescent home. He was a young assistant Rhea County attorney during the landmark trial of substitute biology teacher John Thomas Scopes who…
John R. Neal Scopes Defense Attorney Dies
John R Neal, who was the chief defense counsel during the celebrated “Monkey Trial” in Dayton, Tennessee in 1925, died November 23, 1959 in a Rockwood hospital at the age of 83. Neal had served in both houses of the State Legislature and ran many times in the elections for Governor and U.S. Senator. His…