June 20, 1925—THIS DAY IN SCOPES HISTORY
Dayton Mayor A.P. Haggard and Sheriff Robert “Bluch” Harris ask Governor Austin Peay for state guardsmen to protect residents and visitors from “the influx of pickpockets, gamblers, and thieves [who will be] at the Scopes Trial.” When Peay refused their request, Dayton hired four police officers from Chattanooga. Judge Raulston appointed one of those officers, Kelso Rice, to be the court bailiff.
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.
A trial to sing about?The 1925 Scopes Trial was just that, inspiring more than a dozen popular songs, several of which would have topped the “Hot 100” charts ...
Let’s all go to the Scopes Trial play!The Destiny in Dayton cast is getting ready for next week’s debut of the 2026 edition of the Scopes Trial dramatization at the Rhea Coun...
Courtroom drama, insults, humor and an argument that has... See for yourself how the parental rights/government control argument entered the public consciousness during the Scopes Trial in 1925 – ...
TN250 Bash Rhea County KickoffNokian Tyres Summer Nights concert series was a huge success this year, attracting hundreds of music lovers on Friday nights in June. We...
Scopes Trial Play: Destiny in DaytonRead More
Jul 24, 2026
7:00 PM EDT
1475 Market Street
Dayton, TN 37321
Scopes Trial Play: Destiny in DaytonRead More
Jul 25, 2026
2:00 PM EDT
1475 Market Street
Dayton, TN 37321
