"JUDGE READS BIBLE AS BLIND MUSICIAN PLAYS HYMNS"

MONKEY TRIAL OPENS IN TENNESSEE

Dayton, Tennessee (JFK+50) On July 10, 1925, the first day of the trial of John T. Scopes opened at the Rhea County Court House here in Dayton, Tennessee.

Mr. Scopes was indicted by a grand jury for the "unlawful and willful" teaching of "certain theories that deny the story of the Divine creation of man as told in the Bible."  The grand jury further found that he taught that man was descended from a lower order of animals.

Famed defense attorney Clarence Darrow told the court he will be calling "a number of scientists" to testify.  Meanwhile, prosecuting attorney William Jennings Bryan arrived on the scene to "hundreds of spectators."

Judge John T. Raulston read the first chapter of the Book of Genesis to the grand jury while outside a blind musician played hymns on his organ.

The Evening Star published the following 'Evolution Trial Facts' in its July 10, 1925 edition...

*The defendant:  John T. Scopes, 24, former science teacher in Rhea County (TN) schools

*The charge:  violation of the TN law prohibiting teaching the theory of evolution in public schools

*The scene:  Rhea County Circuit Court, Dayton, TN

*The judge:  John T. Raulston

*Duration: 2 weeks to 1 month

*The prosecution: Walter White, A.T. Stewart, Wm J. Bryan

*The defense:  John R. Neal, Clarence Darrow, D.F. Malone

*The witnesses:  prominent church men & scientists

*The cause:  violation of The Butler Act signed by Gov. Austin Peay

*Previous action:  J.T. Scopes charged with teaching evolution theory

*Inception:  At Dayton drug store at suggestion of G.W. Rappleyea

SOURCES

"Evolution Trial Facts," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., July 10, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

"Scopes Reindicted After Trial Opens To Correct Error," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., July 10, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Rhea County Court House

Dayton, Tennessee

US History AP Class

2014

"BRYAN CALLS IT A DUEL BETWEEN EVIL & CHRISTIANITY"

SCOPES SAYS ANTI-EVOLUTION CASE SHOULD BE FOUGHT ON CONSTITUTIONAL GROUNDS

Dayton, Tennessee (JFK+50) On July 8, 1925, International News Service interviewed John T. Scopes*, defendant in the upcoming "monkey trial" to be held here in Dayton.

In the interview, Mr. Scopes states that the anti-evolution case "should be fought out on constitutional grounds" testing the right of a state to dictate the limits of public education.

Prosecuting attorney William Jennings Bryan has predicted a "duel to the death" between evil and Christianity.

Scopes goes on to say that he believes the Tennessee anti-evolution law (Butler Act) is unconstitutional because it violates freedom of religion and property rights.

JFK+50 NOTE

After the American Civil Liberties Union announced it would pay court costs for a teacher who violated the Tennessee anti-evolution law, Dayton businessmen saw an opportunity to bring publicity & economic benefits to their town.  They recruited John Scopes to play the role although it turns out he may not have even taught a lesson on evolution.

The 1960 movie "Inherit the Wind," based on the book by the same title, is an excellent portrayal of events in Dayton, TN in July 1925 although "names have been changed to protect the innocent" (as they used to say on 'Dragnet') and it is far from one hundred percent historically accurate.

*John Thomas Scopes (1900-1970) was born in Paducah, Kentucky & educated at the University of Kentucky & The University of Chicago.  JTS was a football coach at Rhea County High School (TN) & occasional substitute teacher.  Found guilty in the 'Monkey Trial," he was fined $100.

"Scopes Says Fanatics Will Rule If He Loses," by William K. Hutchinson, The Washington Times, July 8, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

John T. Scopes

Photo by Watson Davis

June 1925

Smithsonian Institution