Jerry Summers
The Scopes Trial in 1925 would put the name of Dayton in Rhea County in the law books forever but did not reap the financial benefits hoped for by its promoters who allegedly came up with the idea to file a lawsuit to attack the recently elected legislation that allowed the teaching of Darwin’s theory of evolution rather than the biblical origins of mankind.
The circus atmosphere that originally surrounded the trial was a sensation and astonished many who had never heard the rumor that humans might be related to apes.
The alleged appearance of a live monkey by a creative entrepreneur added to the intrigue.
This led to the expression, “Well, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle.”
* * *
Jerry Summers
(If you have additional information about one of Mr. Summers' articles or have suggestions or ideas about a future Chattanooga area historical piece, please contact Mr. Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com)