The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-04-12

Il Gill SLl uNh OllCl1 CNllOOl ONAo az
berland Valley town knew the
children who were killed and,
so closely has the community
intermarried, hardly a house
hold but counted some loss of
a nephew, a cousin, a son or
a daughter.
The school which a happy throng
of q students left yesterday for
their excursion was silent today.
Outside little knots of boys and girls
talked in hushed tones of their
comrades. Younger children, un-
able to understand, joked and
laughed at the unexpected holiday.
In the funeral parlors of Albert
Leaf lay the bodies of the IA dead.
Tomorrow group funerals will be
held.
At the homes of those who sur
vived the accident. the story was
told and retold. The town was
stunned. First word of the accident
did not come until long after most
resident of the quiet village had
retired, For hours there was sus-
pense and uncertainty over who
had died and who had survived.
Parents Rush to Scene
Shaken from their slumbers. par
ents of the children drove quickly to
Rockville
Not until solitary half-filled
school bus numbered into town long
after midnight was the full extent
Of the tragedy learned. The bus
brought the IL children whose in
juries we're slight enough not to re-
quire hospital attention.
Waiting figures sprang out of ths
ill-lighted street to scan the faces
of the passengers of the bus, ia.
learn finally what the toll had been.
Through the night, citizens gath
ered at the home of Mayor Rich
ard G. Hawken receiving reports of
the disaster. Mrs. Hauken went
from friend to friend, quietly serv-
ing coffee TO the grief-stricken and
answering the query of each pair
of lips: What is the last news?"
Young Survivor Tells Story
From the children who survived.
the village was able to piece to-
gether the story of the accident.
One who escaped serious injury was
Albert Leaf Jr, son of the under
taker Proppsd up in bed, the IL
year-old boy told his story.
When We approached the cross
ing he said, the driver was do
ing about 40 miles an hour. He
slowed down and started across the
tracks at about IS"
The lads were tired. There
wasn't much noise. Most of us were
trying TO sleep"
AS soon as the driver saw the
train, he stepped on the gas, but
1t was too late. The train hit with
a terrific impact just behind me.
I must have been knocked uncon-
scious. When I recovered, I was on
the tracks about 20 feet away from
the bus"
Drags Two From Wreckage
Il helped pull out my cousin.
Margaret Crops, and Phoebe Kelly.
Phoebe was alive when I pulled her
out. I felt her pulse. We were hit
so quick that no one had time to
scream"
Most Of those killed came from
modest homes. The town gets its
support from an oak tanning
factory. 1t was among those families
that heaviest losses were suffered.
Mary Teach, pretty, 16-year-old
brunette, said she was trying TO
sleep when the crash occurred.
L didn't see the train until ii was
right on top Of US. she said.
Accident Held Unavoidable
Mothers and fathers stood bare
headed in the muddy streets out
side Leafs funeral parlors as
hearses brought in the bodies.
Joint funeral services were being
planned by all of the churches. Most
Of the residents are members Of the
Lutheran Church. The Rev. w. G.
Huddle, pastor Of that church, and
the Rev. K c. Newell Of the Meth
odist Church, went the rounds today
attempting to console those IN dis
tresS
Both ministers said there was no
spirit Of blame and that most Of the
parents took the attitude that the
accident had been unavoidable.
Manslaughter charges we're placed
today against Percy Line. IS. driver.
He was so dazed by the shock OF
the accident that police we're az
first able 10 get only meager de-
tails from him.
7 feel like I'm knocked out, Line
said, his sleepless eyes staring
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