The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1935-08-20
ROGERS RITES.
THURSDAY

CONTINUED from, Page -
silver-colored funeral ship, there
somehow was something in the
sight of the cold canvas which
then encased the broken body of
Will Rogers as well as that of the
flier-gave enough cause for the
most veteran of death spectators
to pause for meditation,
Friends Bring Bodies
Shortly before, with the slant
ing rays of setting sun striking
fire-like reflections from the sides
of the glistening metal, the flu
neral plane circled the field, made
a quick landing, TAXED to
hangar and rested its cargo Of
broken humanity.
On that flight from Seattle to
Glendale, the two still bodies were
accompanied by mutual friends in
life.
At the controls of the ship was
William A. Winston, of Texas,
with whom the humorist often
had flown; Copilot j. l.. Fleming,
Radioman T. w. Bowling, Flight
Mechanic T. w. Ward, Col. Clar-
ence F.. Young, Coast manager for
Pan American Always, and Joe
Crosson, who flew the bodies from
the scene of the disaster in Alaska
to Seattle.
Filters Silent
It was a group of grief-stricken
men. None cared to speak Of the
trip, but finally Crosson agreed to
act as spokesman for his COM
panions on the death ride. He
said:
1--WE have completed the
most difficult task ever as
Signed-difficult not because Of
the flying or country involved
but because of the purpose Of
the flight. would rather not
discuss our personal feelings.
All who had a part in the flight
both in Alaska and in the
United States, 1 know, felt this
mission might express in a
small way the deep debt all
American aviation owes to
Will Rogers and Wiley Post"
There weren't many to NEE. the
two victims outside press repre-
Sentatives and SO police. There
perhaps was merger 200.
AS final preparations were being
made to speed the body of the
flier who flew twice around the
world an: made several unsuccesS-
full attempts to set a record flight
cross country in the sub-stratos-
phere, friends and relatives of
Will Rogers awaited the last fare
well to him.
Body To Lie In State
On Thursday morning the pub
lic-the same which with their
hearts cherished the Oklahoma
cowboy-will be allowed to slowly
pass the mortal remains of the
humorist as they rest beneath the
trees of Forest Lawn. Later in
the day private funeral services
will be held but exact disposal of
the body has not been determined.
The services will be conducted
by Rev. j. Whitcomb Brougher,
Methodist minister, lifelong friend
of the columniSt and who inter
rupted a lecture tour at Port
land, Ore, so as to be able to
make final tribute.
Those private services will be
attended only by members of the
immediate family, and close per-
Sonal friends.
Memorial Services
AS the lawn outside the Wee
Kirk O. The Heather is cleared of
those who will march by the bier
of Rogers in silent tribute, those
same mourners, countless thous-
ands of them, will flock to Holly.
wood Bowl where at 2 p. M, the
same hour set for the private
services, the public will pay it's
last public tribute to the philoso-
pher in an impreSsively solemn
service.
After both services the body,
according to tentative arrange
ments, will be placed in a crypt
in Forest Lawn Cemetery near
the bodies of other famed actors
Of thA stage and screen.