From the files of the Polk county News ...

In 1932, Democrats won by large majorities, with Franklin Roosevelt going to the presidency in a landslide ... The DAR erected a marker at the site where George Johnson met, wooed and married Maggie Harris and then wrote a poem about here -- “When You and I Were Young, Maggie ... At the movies: “a bill of divorcement” with John Barrymore and Katharine Hepburn.

In 1952, Thomas Johnston overwhelmingly defeated Frank Lowery and John Arp for the legislative seat in a big upset ... Dwight Eisenhower was elected President. He carried Polk with largest majority of any Republican in many years .. Junior Prichard was on the way home from service in the Army in Korea.

In 1962, Republicans swept all area state and national offices except governor. Bill Brock III won the Congressional district race. Frank Clement won the governor’s race ... The county’s forestry team took first in the state. Members were Bobby Lewis, Jimmy Baker, Tommy Daugherty and Ronnie Garren. The Crops team also won the state with members Ronnie Harbison, Lamar Hooker, Harold McClure, Hoyt Freeman and Ronald Davis.

In 1972, Polk joined the nation in giving Richard Nixon his second term by a landslide, with Spiro Agnew as Vice President ... Annexation plans changed the south end limits of Benton and a small portion on the east side ... A clinic was held in Reliance to give immunizations... Local Masons receiving the Scottish Rite degree were Sam Boring, James Chancey Jr., Arthur Dale, Hoyt Jones, Billy Ledford, Oliver Lewis, Nellis Millsaps Jr., James Murphy, James Sampson, Thomas Shields, Fred Verner and Warren Williams ... Businesses and civic clubs were asked to help the Jaycees in purchase Christmas lighting and decorations for Benton.

In 1982, A tractor-tanker plunged down a bank and sunk into Parksville lake. Charles Maynor, the driver, was able to swim to safety ... The Polk County Chamber of Commerce was getting active again after a reorganization ... A new VFW post opened in Polk County ... A Cougar win over Fannin county set a new school record for the most wins in a single season, eight.

In 1992, the new sewer system for Benton was in operation ... Voters were upset that there were too many levers on the voting machines ... The county was looking at a long-term solution to the trash disposal needs ... A group of 18 travel writers visited the Tennessee Overhill while in the state for a convention in Nashville ... More than a thousand visitors were expected for the Bald Mountain Loop Rail Excursion along the Old Line from Etowah to Copperhill.

In 2002, WWII Veteran Sonny Panter spoke at Copper Basin High School’s Veteran’s Day program…a lawsuit was filed against the Sheriff’s Department and a Benton City Police Officer claiming “suicide by police” after a man was shot…South Polk Students visited the Indianapolis Zoo through the TV screen….the School Board was not in favor in allowing home-schooled children to participate in school activities or classes…a dedication was held for a new bridge built across the Jacks River….Childhood Obesity became a major concern in Polk County…Then District Attorney General Jerry Estes hired two new gun prosecutors in his office to target gun violations…