There are many versions of this trial, but this story came from John Scopes himself. The Scopes 'Monkey' Trial began July 10, 1925, or 81 years ago, and pitted Clarence Darrow vs. William Jennings Bryan, a creationist. John Scopes, a physics teacher, who had substituted as a biology teacher, volunteered to test the Tennessee Legislature when it passed its anti-evolution law in March 1925.
While doing graduate work at NE Louisiana University in 1959, one of my professors was an active member of the Little Theatre Group and was to play the role of Clarence Darrow. Dr. Christian, my professor, invited me to attend this production and I sat next to John Scopes.
He and I talked at length about the trial. What really provoked the trial was a bet made in a local drugstore during morning coffee. A group of citizens who disagreed with the law, as well as the American Civil Liberties Union, chose the volunteer, John Scopes, to be the test subject. John was assured that he would not be sent to jail or have to pay a fine. There was no provision in the law for imprisonment. Newspapers, citizens and evolution supporters had agreed to pay his trial cost and fine if there was one. He told me that the Tennessee law required the jury to assess the fine, but the judge did so and it was never paid. Scopes was fined $100.
The trial provided William Jennings Bryan a platform to expound on creationism and his belief there was no such thing as evolution. Clarence Darrow put Bryan on the stand and tried to make a mockery of Bryan's lack of knowledge about science. It worked and didn't work. Most writers have stated it was a draw simply because Mississippi and Arkansas enacted similar laws at the end of the decade. Creationists thought Bryan won, evolutionist (scientists) thought Darrow won. Nevertheless, Tennessee repealed the law in 1967, but it had been widely ignored for years.
What was the basis of the law? The exact wording of the law was, "it shall be unlawful ... to teach any theory that denies the story of Divine Creation of man as taught in the Bible, and to teach instead that man has descended from a lower order of animals." The law applied to public schools and public colleges. The two clashing men argued about Cain's wife, Jonah and the whale, or fish, that the sun stood still during the battle of Jericho, and quibbled about how long the tower of Babel had been built. Bryan did admit that 'six days' in which God created the earth could have been geological eras. Later, the judge, having heard the arguments, dismissed the proceedings and found Scopes guilty.
Historical: In 1927 the Tennessee Supreme Court voided the fine, but not the conviction. The movie Inherit the Wind was not based on actual facts Scopes told me, but some of the parts were true. William Jennings Bryan died five days after the trial from a heart attack; his was a hefty girth, poor health and age 65. The day before his death he made a speech to 8,000 supporters.
Clarence Darrow returned to Chicago to practice law. Who won? Even John Scopes told me that it was a tie. Bryan established his creationism and Darrow won the scientists' debate. This trial is one of the most revisited events in American history. I still have his autograph on the program for the production we attended in Monroe, LA. John Scopes was a geologist for the Louisiana Light and Power Company until his death.
Sources: Interview with John Scopes Library of Congress American Heritage - Fred Schwarz
Lifestyles
UPON FURTHER REVIEW: The Scopes Trial
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Folksinger to perform May 31 in Pleasant Hill
The award-winning folk singer Tom Neilson will be bringing his message of “Music for Social Change” to Pleasant Hill, on Friday, May 31, at 7 p.m. in the Pleasant Hill Community Church, UCC. The Shalom Center for Continuing Education, a non-profit educational center is sponsoring this appearance of the nationally well-known artist.
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127 Seniors plan for annual picnic
On May 17, the members of the 127 South Senior Center had an enjoyable time socializing and playing bingo, dominos and billiards. Numbers were called by John Bohrman, with the prizes furnished by Dr. M. Stewart Galloway, M.D.
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Pleasant Hill Ramblings: Pleasant Hill Elementary honors volunteers
Mary Ann Kotus-Huff, principal of Pleasant Hill Elementary School (PHS), recently welcomed volunteers to the annual Volunteer Tea. It was held in the gaily decorated new all-purpose room of the new annex. Volunteers were treated to sandwiches, fruit, cheese and crackers and cupcakes.
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Plateau Gardening: Transplanting tips
My landscape is perennial–based. There are vines, trees, shrubs as well as herbaceous (soft-stemmed) vegetation in assorted categories-ornamentals, herbs and food crops like rhubarb. Annuals in containers are used to add splashes of color. At this time of year, I usually have a few recently purchased plants waiting to be transplanted (see the accompanying photo).
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Fair Park offering help for senior dog owners
A dog is a senior's best friend. Family and friends are not around much, and everyone is so busy. After retirement the free time seems to be longer. Many seniors would be very lonely if it was not for their four-legged friends. Dogs are a big part of the family, so they need to learn to be obedient to make it easier on the relationship.
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The beginnings of Cumberland County Discovery Gardens
It was a great day in 2004 when Walt Hitch looked out his window and studied the three unused acres that accompanied his hundreds of acres of AgResearch lands.
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CCHS Class of 1963 congratulates Class of 2013
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Putt for the Cure miniature golf tournament a success
Kids of all ages enjoyed a fun outing of miniature golf Saturday at the first Putt for the Cure event, presented by Dr. Calley Jo Elsea of Cloudland Dental, to benefit the Upper Cumberland affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Players teams up with sponsors and host Pirates Plateau Golf Adventure to raise funds to help area women get needed screening exams, support patients and survivors, educate the public and support national research initiatives.
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Around the Town: Attendance is the Key to success in Cumberland County!
High school attendance is up and 10 cars have been given away. This is all thanks to some forward thinking educators along with Dave and Connie Kirk and the staff at Dave Kirk Automotive. This year marks the 10th anniversary, or a decade, of what the high school students call "Dave Kirk Drawing Day." Or, in layman's terms, some junior or senior from Cumberland County High School, Stone Memorial High School or Phoenix School wins a brand spanking new vehicle.
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End of another great year for Neighbors and Newcomers
Referred to as the "best little club on the mountain," Neighbors and Newcomers will be holding its last meeting of the year May 23. After a fun-filled, interesting and exciting year, the group will enjoy this end-of-the-year lunch at the Cumberland County Fairgrounds.
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