Jerry Tompkins Editor of “D-Days at Dayton” Video Presentation at the famous Rhea Courthouse where John Thomas Scopes was convicted of violating the Butler Act in July 1925 Each year, on the anniversary of the famous 1925 Scopes trial, the people of Dayton celebrate with the Scopes Festival. One regular attendee of the festival is…
Scopes Trial Related
James Presley and John Scopes co-Authored Center of the Storm Memoirs of John T. Scopes
James Presley Video Presentation at the famous Rhea Courthouse where John Thomas Scopes was convicted of violating the Butler Act in July 1925 Each year, on the anniversary of the famous 1925 Scopes trial, the people of Dayton celebrate with the Scopes Festival. One regular attendee of the festival is Randy Moore, Professor of Biology…
History of Walter White-Rhea County Tennessee
This is a video presentation by Jacob Smith to the Rhea County Historical Society on the life of Walter White of Rhea County Tennessee. Walter White, Rhea County Superintendent of Schools during the Scopes Trial. This presentation highlighted his work in Rhea County schools, the state house and senate, and the founding of Bryan College.…
Walter White of Rhea County Dies
Professor Walter White long time public servant dies February 15, 1951 Well known Educator and Legislator – Walter White for many years was a powerful figure in the Republican party councils of Tennessee. White served numerous terms in the Tennessee General Assembly. He was also the Republican nominee for Governor of Tennessee in 1922, being…
F.E. Robinson’s “Why Dayton of All Places” Booklet
F.E. Robinson Published A Booklet Promoting Dayton Tennessee Dayton’s citizens viewed the Scopes trial as an opportunity to put their town on the map. In preparation for the trial and the arriving hordes of people, Dayton businessmen F.E. Robinson printed a booklet “Why Dayton – Of All Places?,” illustrated with pictures of the town’s places…
John Washington Butler 1875-1952
Evolution Bill Author, Died in 1952 At The Age of 76 John Washington Butler was an American farmer and a Tennessee State Legislator from 1923-1927 . He was the author of Tennessee’s “Anti-Evolution Bill” in 1925. During the 1925 session of the State House of Representatives, while representing three counties northeast of Nashville, Tennessee along…
Rev. Charles Jones Conducted William Jennings Bryan’s Funeral
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…
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…