Evening star., 1935-04-17
HUNDREDS HONOR
A BUS VICTIMS.
School Prepares for Over
flow at WiI|iamsport
Memorial Rites.
Nv a STAFF Correspondent of The Star.

By STAFF Correspondent of The Star.
WILLIAMSPORT, Md, April IL
Every room in the high school here
Was filled today with residents mass
ing for a community tribute to the IA
pupils killed in the Rockville bus trag-
edy last Thursday night. .
The high school auditorium would
seat only 500, but loud speakers were
installed in seven class rooms, up
stairs and down, to accommodate
another 500.
In response to hundreds of requests,
the memorial services will be broad
cast over Station WEI at Hagers-
town. School authorities discussed
the possibility of awarding poSthumos
diplomas to the six seniors killed IN
the crash, but were uncertain II this
could be arranged.
A mile-long cavalcade of automo-
biles wound through the streets this
morning in the funerals of two high
school seniors, Phoebe Kelley ana
James Flurie, both IT.
The rites for these two young VIC
tins of the tragedy terminated four
Gay program of funerals.
At least 1000 townsmen and hun
dreds of visitors attended the two
funerals and plans were made to ac-
commodate these at the memorial
service.
Teacher Is Present.
Miss Louis Funk, 27-year-old chem
istry teacher, who accompanied her
pupils on the fatal excursion, was to
have a front place in the section re-
served for instructors and former
classmates of the victims.
The seats Immediately before the
speakers platform in the auditorium
were reserved for surviving members
of the senior class, pupils OF the hign
school, teachers and members OF the
bereaved families.
Reservations also were made Tor
representatives of the Rockville
Parent Teacher Association, who were
to attend to offer their sympathy 10
the saddened mothers and fathers
here.
Rev. Walter Byron Stehl, rector OF
st. Johns Episcopal Church, was 10
deliver the memorial address.
Rev. Mr.. Stehl replaced Rev. w. G.
Huddle. pastor of Williamsport Luth-
eran Church, who had conducted elgnt
of the IA funeral services and was re-
lieved of the additional duty.
At an early hour automobiles nlleo
the approaches to the high school and
blocked the drives in the community
park lying in front of the school site.
Sponsors of the services said the LOUD
speakers would be installed outside
the high school should the attendance
require outdoor accommodations.
Business Suspended.
Business was suspended during the
service and until 6 o'clock tomgnt py
proclamation of Mayor Richard g.
Hawken. who was to preside at the
rites, The exercises themselves were
to be brief and simple.
The music was to consist OF a
solo. Face to Face" by the wife OF
Rev Mr.. Huddle, and quartet
hymnal number.
The blooming Spring gardens and
the shops of the florists in Washing
ton County were almost barren today
from the inroads made upon them oy
the long succession of funerals. Flor
lists here and in Hagerstown sent
emergency calls to Baltimore and
Washington to fill the unprecedented
demands.
Bright and windy weather followed
Yesterdays snow f1urries which whit
ened the surrounding hills just oegln-
ming to spring foliage.
In contrast to the fower-decked
graves now sprinkling the surrounding
hills, the high school auditorium
seemed drab and undecorated. An
American flag hung before the speak
ers' platform, crowded with chairs for
the school board, visiting delegations
and city officials.