May 4, 1925—THIS DAY IN SCOPES HISTORY

Last Updated 5/8/2025


Several newspapers in Tennessee report that the ACLU is “looking for a Tennessee teacher who is willing to accept our services in testing [the Butler Act] in the courts. Our lawyers think a friendly test case can be arranged without costing a teacher his or her job… All we need now is a willing client.” 


George Rappleyea, manager of Cumberland Coal and Iron Company (the remnants of DCIC), reads the article in the Chattanooga Daily Times and decides to discuss it with Dayton’s leaders the next day.


This information is taken from “Causes Go On Forever…: A Chronology of the Scopes Trial,” by Randy Moore and Tom Davis. Copies of the book are available from the Rhea County Historical Society, P.O. Box 31, Dayton, TN 37321. Cost is $25.


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