From the files of the Polk county News ...

In 1922, Nancy Green, the only surviving member of the Abraham Lillard family, suffered a stroke of paralysis ... Deputy J.N. woody investigated a report of still in Todd Hollow and found parts of an old Ford that had been used in the still ... The Tennessee Power company was rebuilding and overhauling their line of railroad connecting Parksville and No. 2 with the L&N as well as the flume line ... The first radio receiving outfit in Benton was being installed for James H. Williamson ... The Copper City Printing Co. was purchased from the King heirs by J.T. Miller of Postelle ... Several from Zion Valley went to the foot-washing at Oak Grove.

In 1932, a four-year-old died of a broken neck when he climbed onto a wagon and the team took off, eventually throwing him out ... Cumberland Shed was beginning to have singing on Saturday nights ... James Clemmer, who made a name for himself playing football at Polk, accepted the position of coach at Dickson High School after attending UTK ... Decoration was held at the Stephens graveyard ... The grader was making ready for concreting the new pike from Benton to Wetmore.

In 1942, a TVA worked drowned as his car went into the lake at the first curve beyond Parksville dam ... New rules allowed for people who do home canning to get the amount of sugar needed rather than a total of five pounds ... The PCHS alumni associated dispensed with the annual banquet because of the war situation ... The Office of Civilian Defense offered a planning guide for victory gardens.

In 1952, Frank Clement opened his campaign for governor ... Benton held its first election in more than 25 years, having been reincorporated in 1951. Candidates were Dr. H.C. Wilson, J.H. Hammons and Ben Parks ... Anna Gene Arms was valedictorian at Polk. Ruth Swayne was salutatorian ... Officers of the Four-Mile Cemetery Association were Charles Williams, Paul Campbell, Roy Lillard, Dotty Taylor, H.e. Lillard ... James Passmore was elected head of the Polk Alumni ... Audrey Taylor advanced to the rank of airman in the Navy.

In 1962, Benton commissioners H.c. Wilson, Harvey Hammons and C.E. Rogers were unopposed ... The Good Government League slate of candidates included Donald Mantooth, Circuit Court Clerk, and Robert Beckler, Register of Deeds ... Democrats chose Mrs. John D. Curbow, the first lady to seek a countywide office, as candidate for Circuit Court Clerk, and Hugh Hampton for Register ... Retirees from Tennessee Copper Company included Smelter Store supervisor J.w. Sullivan, Acid Repair Foreman L.D. Dockery, Carpenter J.C. Stanley and Smelter Repair Foreman T.J. Brown ... Joyce Newman and David Carter each won $4500 renewable scholarships from Dixie Foundry ... Sallie Miller celebrated her 89th birthday.

In 1972, the Republican convention chose Dennis White as candidate for county judge, Weldon Allen for Sheriff and Alley Bruce for Road Superintendent ... An investigation was underway concerning the Democrat Primary ... UT graduates were John Stillwell, Charles Campbell, Nicholas Hayes, James Guy, Frank Shinpaugh, and Deborah Williams ... Stephen Day received a freshman scholarship to UT ... Mrs. J.H. (Vallie) Carver retired after 41 years of teaching.

In 1982, the School board approved a budget request calling for a 12% increase ... A fee system was implemented for local beaches ... Kalin Bishop and Michelle Dunn received an Excellence in History award from the DAR .. Jack Kilpatrick retired from Tri-State EMC after 33 years ... Tawnya Rush graduated from MTSU.

In 1992, opposition was voiced to the flood insurance program because of concern about land use control ... Marilyn Lloyd was campaigning in the county after her district changed to include Polk ... Family members were concerned that the old Isabella cemetery site would be included in a land auction ... Mr. and Mrs. William Rockford Patterson celebrated their 50th anniversary ... Charles Price took second place in his division in the World Taxidermy Contest.

In 2002, The school system was facing state budgets cuts while trying to develop a budget proposal … Charges were dropped in a civil suit against former school bus driver Kenneth Akins … A new sewer line bid was approved for the new PCHS … Benton Mayor Jerry Stephens along with Commissioners Gene Pack and Billy Rogers were all reelected … The city of Benton decided to purchase fingerprinting kits for their officers … Local artist Danny Hoskinson (The Bucketman) was part of a folklife exhibit in Nashville put on by the Tennessee Arts Commission … Copperhill was facing sewer plant problems.