"TENNESSEE TOWN GETTING BACK TO NORMALCY"

SCOPES & TRIAL ATTORNEYS LEAVING DAYTON TO GO ON STUMP

Dayton, Tennessee (JFK+50) On July 22, 1925, Associated Press reports that the Rhea County Court House here in Dayton has been left with "a score or more of...tables and benches" used by reporters during the recent Scopes anti-evolution trial.  Apparently, these items will be left for county officials to ponder their fate.

As to the town of Dayton, it is in the process of "getting back to normalcy."  Attorneys for both prosecution and defense have either left or are soon to do so.

Clarence Darrow will be traveling north to Knoxville tomorrow to make a speech while Willliam Jennings Bryan plans to be in Winchester on Saturday to make a couple of speeches.

John T. Scopes, the biology teacher found guilty of violating the Tennessee State anti-evolution law, will probably be going on a lecture tour.

JFK+50 NOTE

John T. Scopes attempted to avoid publicity after the trial ended.  He earned a Masters degree in geology at the University of Chicago & moved back to his childhood home in Kentucky.  Scopes worked as an oil expert until his death in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1970.

SOURCE

"Dayton Is Getting Back To Normalcy,"  The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., July 22, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Rhea County Court House

Dayton, Tennessee

AP History Class (2014)

"I'VE BEEN CONVICTED OF VIOLATING AN UNJUST LAW"

SCOPES FOUND GUILTY BY JURY IN ANTI-EVOLUTION TRIAL

Dayton, Tennessee (JFK+50) At 11:29 in the morning of July 21, 1925, "a verdict of guilty was returned in the (John T.) Scopes (anti-evolution) case" at the Rhea County Court House here in Dayton.  

According to a front-page report in The Times Recorder, Judge John T. Raulston summoned Mr. Scopes to the bar and informed him of the jury's verdict.  

The judge also "read a copy of the statute to him." Judge Raulston then set the young teacher's fine at $100.

When asked if he had anything to say, Mr. Scopes said...

"I have been convicted of violating an unjust statute."

An appeal will be filed by the defense with the Supreme Court meeting in Knoxville.

JFK+50 NOTE

In 1927, Tennessee's Supreme Court overturned Scopes' conviction on a technicality.  Judge Raulston had improperly imposed a $100 fine.  According to the Tennessee Constitution any fine over $50 had to be imposed by a jury.  The state's AG recommending dismissing the case & Scopes never paid the fine.  The Butler Act (TN's anti-evolution law) remained on the books of the state but was never again enforced.

In 1968, the USSC ruled bans on teaching evolution to be unconstitutional.

SOURCE

"Scopes Found Guilty," The Times Recorder, Americus, Georgia, July 21, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

John Thomas Scopes

Dayton, Tennessee

1925

Smithsonian Institution

"MEN SHOULD NEVER BE SUPERIOR TO THE LAW"

JUDGE CITES DARROW FOR CONTEMPT OF COURT IN SCOPES TRIAL

Dayton, Tennessee (JFK+50) On July 20, 1925, Clarence Darrow, defense attorney for John T. Scopes accused of violating Tennessee's anti-evolution law, "was cited for contempt of court*...by Judge John T. Raulston."

According to Associated Press, Mr. Darrow is required to make $5000 bond and appear tomorrow in court to "show why contempt proceedings should not be instituted."

Judge Raulston said...

"Men...should never hold themselves superior to the law."

The judge submitted the following exchange in court which he deems worthy of his contempt ruling...

Court:  "Always expect this court to rule correctly."

Darrow: "No, Sir, we do not."

Court: "I hope you do not mean to reflect upon the integrity of this court."

Darrow: "Well, your honor has the right to hope."

*contempt of court is committing the crime of being disobedient or disrespectful toward a court of law & its officers.  A judge may impose a fine and/or time in jail for such behavior.

SOURCE

"Darrow Is Cited For Contempt By Scopes Case Judge," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., July 20, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Engraved Sign Contempt Of Court Image

The Blue Diamond Gallery

www.thebluediamondgallery.com/

"A DEATH BLOW TO DEFENSE HOPES FOR ACQUITTAL"

JUDGE EXCLUDES 'ALL SCIENTIFIC TESTIMONY' FROM ANTI-EVOLUTION TRIAL

Dayton, Tennessee (JFK+50) On July 17, 1925, "the long-heralded clash between science and religion over the origin of man was eliminated from the Scopes anti-evolution trial...when...Judge J.T. Raulston excluded all scientific testimony."

The prospective testimony of scientific experts was determined by the judge to be "irrelevant and incompetent."

William K, Hutchinson of The International News Service describes the ruling as "a death blow to...defense hopes for...acquittal."

The trial was adjourned until Monday.

JFK+50 NOTE

"The prevailing scientific view is that Homo sapiens evolved in Africa in a series of changes occurring over millions of years."  This view conflicts with the Biblical account of creation as told in the Book of Genesis.

SOURCE

"Judge Bars Scopes' Experts," by William K. Hutchinson, The Washington Times, July 17, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

"Science Refutes Religion"

by Steve Isaacson

"THE WHOLE THING IS LIKE A SIDESHOW AT THE CIRCUS"

JUDGE REFUSES TO DISMISS INDICTMENT OF SCOPES AS REQUESTED BY DEFENSE

Dayton, Tennessee (JFK+50) On July 15, 1925, Judge John T. Raulston ruled that Tennessee's anti-evolution law is constitutional.  The judge also refused to dismiss the indictment, as requested by the defense, of John T. Scopes charging him with violation of the Butler Act.

The ruling states that the state of Tennessee is "within its constitutional powers" in prohibiting the teaching of any theory of evolution that denies the Divine creation of man as presented in The Holy Bible.

The Court did, however, sustain defense attorney Clarence Darrow's objection to having the jury be informed of the religion of the lawyers in the case.

JFK+50 NOTE

Also on the front page of the July 15, 1925 edition of The Washington Times is a cartoon drawn by Hal Coffman* which includes in the caption...

"The whole thing (Scopes Trial) is like a sideshow at the circus--large banners, ballyhoo men shouting through megaphones and weather-beaten men and women fervently praying that the evolutionists will 'see the light.'"

*Harold Roberto 'Hal' Coffman (1883-1958) was born in Los Angeles, CA & started cartooning at the San Francisco Post, 1898.  HC also worked at the LA Herald, LA Times & Philadelphia Inquier. He worked at the New York Journal & American for 27 years.

SOURCES

"Court Reads Ruling Against Evolution," by William K. Hutchinson, The Washington Times, July 15, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

"Ink-Slinger Profile:  Hal Coffman," by Allan Holtz, March 27, 2012, Stripper's Guide, www.strippersguide.blogspot.com/

Dayton, TN Pennant

manufactured by W.A. Ault & Son Dept Store

Displayed at Rhea County Courthouse Museum

Dayton, TN

Photo by Brent Moore (2011)

"REV. CALLED DOWN BLESSINGS UPON ALL CONCERNED"

DEFENSE OBJECTS TO OPENING PRAYER IN SCOPES TRIAL; JUDGE OVERRULES

Dayton, Tennessee (JFK+50) On July 14, 1925, Clarence Darrow, leading defense counsel in State of Tennessee v. John T. Scopes, "formally objected to opening the trial with prayer."

His objection was overruled by Judge John T. Raulston.  Rev. A.C. Stribling, pastor of Cumberland Presbyterian Church was then permitted to give a prayer which "called down blessings upon all concerned."  

The judge had insisted that the prayer not include any mention of the trial itself.  Judge Raulston stated that it had always had been his custom to open his trials with prayer and saw no need to make a change for this one.

JFK+50 NOTE

According to The Washington Times, Rev. H.G. Byrd was "driven out" of his church by his "congregation of fundamentalists" and has decided to give up the pulpit and become an electrician.

Apparently, the reverend said some good things about evolution and/or the defense of John T. Scopes.  In any case, as James Bond said in the opening scene of 'Goldfinger,' "Shocking, absolutely shocking!"

SOURCES

"Blow At Scopes Trial Prayer Fails," by William K. Hutchinson, The Washington Times, July 14, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

"Monkey Shines," International News Service, The Washington Times, July 14, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

Praying Hands

www.publicdomainpictures.net/