From the files of the Polk County News ...

In 1923, seven persons were killed -- two white men and five negroes -- in the Rosewood community in Florida as officers searched for negro wanted for an alleged attack on a white woman. The entire negro section of Rosewood was burned to the ground ... J.H. Walker of Ducktown, Polk County’s oldest citizen, died at age 93 ... Benton banking Company declared a 10% dividend ... Sarah Lillard died at age 70.

In 1943, the Hiwassee, Ocoee and Conasauga rivers were at flood stage ... New officers of the Ocoee Lodge were John Prince, Worshipful Master; Lawrence J. Woods, senior warden; Robert Latimore, junior warden; Wallace Higgins, treasurer; G.A. Lillard, secretary; Isham P. Lyle, senior deacon; Fred Stewart junior deacon; Ransom Clark, senior steward; Ed Caldwell, junior steward; Herbert Smith, chaplain, and G.LO. Gilliland, Tyler .. Native son Percy N. Love received the Westinghouse Order of Merit for his work there ... John B. Standridge, Clyde Holden and A.J. Trotter left for service in the Coast Guard.

In 1963, A roaring fire destroyed the warehouse of the W.a. Lewis Hardware and a portion of the building occupied by the Campbell-Trotter Oil Company and destroyed a city block in Benton before it was brought under control ... More than 100 baskets were distributed to the needy by the Benton Lions Club  ... Savings accounts were earning 3% interest.

In 1983, an angry crowd confronted the School board over budget cuts. They were told the cuts were mandated by the County Commission. a joint meeting was sought ... Plans were underway to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Polk County News ... Denise Harrison was getting ready to represent the county in the Miss Tennessee U.S.A. pageant ... Dale Thomas resigned as coach of the Cougarettes.

In 1993, TVA said it was not bluffing in its requirement that the county participate in the National Flood Insurance Program in order to have federal funding for the Olympics ... Polk County’s unemployment rate was the highest in the state for November, at 12%. the total labor force had fallen from 6,800 in 1983 to 4,400.

In 2003, the Home Bank in Copperhill was robbed…Mike Stewart, accused of murder, escaped from Polk County Jail for a total of 8 hours…the Wildkittens Basketball team finished 3rd in Battle of States… Benton Motors business owner Howard “Abe” Shipley was charged with possession of methamphetamine for resale and felony possession…the Polk County News announced that the preservation of the Old Line Railroad between Etowah and Copperhill was 2002’s top story…Polk County had a “white” Christmas, but the snow melted before the morning was over.