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I grew up hearing the whispers, and seeing the
tears shed over this tragedy. My Mother, Joyce
Earline Pyle, who was 10 yrs old at the time,
would tell me bits and pieces of the story along
with a comment of kin folks perishing.
Unfortunately, I do not know who these persons
were, and until now never knew the entire story.
What a lovely site to help keep these persons,
and their families in remembrance.
April 30th 2004
Kristina Galipp
Dallas, TX but living in Washington State |
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My late Father, Loyd Richardson was a fifth
grader at New London on the day of the
explosion. It was an event that haunted him his
whole life. One of the ways he made peace with
the event was he and my late Mother (along with
many other survivors and their spouses) worked to
make the New London Tea Room and Museum a
reality. I encourage anyone who has an interest
in this tragic event to visit the tearoom and
museum. The survivors are now in their late
seventies and early eighties, so we are slowly
losing this generation of survivors. They are
great people, worth getting to know.
April 21st 2004
Bill Richardson
Dallas, Tx |
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My mother, Marguerite (Eakes) Roach was a student
when the explosion happened. She and 3 other
girls, including Sylvia Scott (actress Sandy
Duncan's mother), had just left the school a few
minutes before and arrived in Henderson for a
typing competition when they began to hear
whispers that the New London School had
exploded. The teacher brought the girls back to
the school and just let them out of the car. The
sight was horrific and they all began to wander
away from each other in shock. The first person
Mom saw was my Dad, Marshall Roach and his
mother & sister who had driven over from
Henderson...Mom talks about how she nearly
lifted a sheet that was lying on the ground and
thankfully, something stopped her. Her little
brother, Forrest Eugene Eakes who was in the 6th
grade died that day. He had begged his mother to
let him stay home that morning, but because he
often wanted to skip school she wouldn't let
him. She always lived with pain that she made
him go. Sylvia's parents, who also lost a son
that day, took my mother home, but they couldn't
find Sylvia. Mother said that even though she
only needed to cross the street to be home it
took what seemed like hours because the cars and
ambulances were bumper to bumper, sirens & horns
blaring, and she couldn't get across! The typing
class was destroyed and had she been there that
day, I would not be writing this! At the 50 year
reunion which I attended with my mom, she and
Sylvia sat and talked for the first time about
what had happened that day, Sylvia said she had
started wandering down the railroad toward
Overton. They finally found her. Many of the
other survivors opened up and started telling
their stories that day...many of them had never
been able to speak about it before. I was amazed
at the miraculous escapes and near misses, and
very saddened by the accounts of those who
didn't make it. My aunt Lorena Eakes was home
sick. My daughter, Lindsay just completed a
scrapbook of the old news clips Mom had saved.
April 15, 2004
Nancy Gillespie
Spring, Texas |
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I was 10 years of age and had 3 1st cousins
killed. When the news came to us, my oldest
brother drove all of us to New London to be with
the families of my mother's two brothers and one
sister who lost sons. The funeral was in Joaquin
and all three caskets were placed side by side
and one can imagine the grief that was present
there that day. I will place a link to this site
on my site.
April 6th 2004
Lannie G. Walker, Sr.
My cousin Sharon Rea, whose half-brother died in
the explosion.
Fort Worth, Texas |
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My mother, Irene Brown, had first cousins that
were killed in the explosion. I am trying to
find out their names. She told me that one of
them was identified by a ring on her hand.
April 3rd 2004
Virginia L. Wheeler Mucklow
Paris, Texas
ginandlee@aol.com |
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I am currently a student at New London High
School and I can't begin to explain how
difficult it is for me to walk up and down these
halls each day knowing what happened here. Though
the school was rebuilt the memory of that tragic
day still remains embedded in the walls and in
the ground. The memory of that day lives on. It
will forever remain in the hearts of the
families, and the friends of those who lost
their lives. As well as in the hearts of the
people in the world who experience the tragedy
through reading and learning. But especially in
the hearts of the students who attend this
school each year. Knowing that those poor,
innocent children and teachers who lost their
lives once use to walk the same paths that we do
now, makes it hard on us not to think about them
as we sit in class. I wish that everyone could
come experience the feeling and the sadness that
comes from this area. It was tragic and those
victims did not deserve to die. It was really
hard for me to stare into the faces of those
children in the pictures and to think about how
they must've felt, sitting here that day in
their desks just wanting a chance to live their
life. To imagine the dreams and hopes that they
must've had, and never knowing what was going to
happen or that all their dreams, hopes, and
ambitions were to never come true. I can't help
but feeling pain for each individual that died
here. I hope that as the days continue forward
that others around the world will read and learn
about what happened. So that the children, the
teachers, and the story will never be forgotten.
They deserve a chance to live.
March 30th 2004
Amanda Walters
New London, Texas |
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My mother-in-law lost two first cousins in the
explosion from her father's youngest sister
Lucille. She remembers one of them as Marcelene (sp?) but does not know the last name. I
am doing genealogical research and hoped to
find more of her father's people. Unfortunately
the list doesn't match the name. I gave her the
list to study and she believes she has a
photograph of her mother's from a family
function that includes the girls.
She was 7 at the time living 7 miles the other
side of Kilgore. She remembers her father and
mother dropping everything, grabbing her two
older brothers and taking off for New London. If
anyone knows of Marcelene(?) or her mother
Lucille (maiden name Tudor), I would love to
hear from you.
I think this is an excellent website very well
done on a horrible tragedy. If my mother-in-law
is able to offer any information or corrections,
I will contact you. Thank you.
March 8th 2004
Beth Thompson
Reno, NV |
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My grandfather and grandmother were both
teachers at New London. They both survived but
lost their niece, Ruby, in the accident. My
grandmother had a quilt with the victims names
on it. I remember asking her about the quilt as
a child. She never explained what happened that
day, but she looked so sad, I didn't
question her
more. My father later explained what happened.
It was a horrific accident. My understanding is
that this is one of the reasons natural gas has
an odor to it now.
March 8th 2004
Karen Sory Dunbar
Beaumont Texas |
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My mother, Gloria Gay Henson (Maiden name Davis)
was a survivor of the explosion, although she
had such extensive injuries she was not expected
to live. Obviously, she did, although her
sister, June Davis, was killed. My mother went
on to have four children, of which I am the
youngest. My Mother had her first child on March
18, 1949. I have always thought that this was a
blessing given to my Mother and her parents to
soothe their memories of that day. My Mother's
Mother, Vivian Davis, will be 100 years old in
March. I would like to bring her to East Texas,
but I don't think that she would be up to it. I
do plan to take my Mother to any memorial
service or event, this year, as I have never
visited this site. I hope that I have the honor
of meeting other survivors that my Mother may or
may not remember. I feel certain that my visit
will be an important date in my life.
January 23rd 2004
Walter Henson
Houston, Tx. |
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I have visited before but I would just like to
comment that the site just gets better and
better. In an earlier post I mentioned how my
grandfather and great uncle, Joe & Jim Nelson
(who worked for Humble) were part of the rescue.
What I didn't know is that my future husband's
grandmother lived near by and lost a cousin and
many friends in the disaster. She said she heard
the explosion and was scared to death. I was
surprised by her experience because my husband
and I both grew up in San Antonio Tx, we knew we
both had family in East Texas, but didn't know
just how close they were. Our families share a
very sad but interesting connection.
January 22nd 2004
Laura Nelson Boles
San Antonio, Texas |
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I was attending London School and had just left
the gym and was about to board the bus when I
heard the explosion. I turned around and saw the
devastation. At my young age, it left memories I
will never forget. I was a campus survivor!
December 12 2003
Margie (Gilstrap) Johnson
New London, Texas |
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My Paternal Grandmother, Earline Bailey Barberee
was in the school explosion. She was not injured
because she had, as she told us "made a dart to
the outhouse" only moments before the explosion.
Her cousin, Claude Kilgore was killed in the
explosion. My Maternal Grandfather worked many
years for Delta Drilling company & he & many of
his coworkers helped in the clean up. There is a
picture on this website of some kids going to
Sunday school on a school bus. I think the girl
8th from the left might be my grandmother,
although I'm not positive. She would have been
13 at the time of the explosion. If anyone has a
yearbook with her picture, I would love to see
it!
I also remember a story she told when we visited
the graveyard where many of the victims were
buried. She said that (maybe her cousin) a boy's
arm had been torn off in the explosion & later
found & buried next to him. I don't know how
true that was, maybe a small town rumor? Anyway,
my grandmother &grandfather eventually returned
to New London & my dad even went to school there
as a boy.
November 12th 2003
Gina Latham
Grand Saline, TX |
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My mother's Aunt Inez whose maiden name was
Chance married Johnny. I had just heard of them
as Aunt Inez and Uncle Johnny. My mother was
suppose to enroll in school there but she moved
in with another relative. But both of my mothers
cousins which were Aunt Inez and Uncle Johnny's
daughters died in the explosion, but I don't
know there names. If any one has any information
please email me at
nostresstoday@aol.com
October 23rd 2003
Darlene
California |
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My dad, Alf Shaw, was the handsome devil who ran
the hamburger stand at the New London School
both before and after the explosion.
He was the nephew of W.C. Shaw, the
superintendent of London Schools, and he lost 3
first cousins in the disaster.
Daddy knew almost every child in the school by
name, and like many others, would never talk
about the events of that day.
The year after the explosion, my mom, Ann Parish
Shaw, came to the school to be the kindergarten
teacher. She taught there from 1939-1941.
Years later, when I was a child, I remember my
parents playing lots of bridge with Felton
Waggoner, principal of the grammar school, and
his wife, who by then lived in Deer Park, while
we lived in nearby Pasadena.
If anyone out there remembers my dad, I'd love
to hear your stories.
My mom is 89 now, lives in Houston, and is still
perking right along. We would love to hear from
any of Miss Parish's students!
BTW, I have a Londona yearbook from 1936. It may
contain pictures of students other than the ones
on this website, and of survivors.
October 8th 2003
Marjorie Shaw
Grew up in Pasadena, Tx; now living in Dallas
Travelteach@Prodigy.net |
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My mother, Ruby Barber, was in the school
explosion. She was 16. She broke her back in 5
places. She lost a brother Ollie. Ruby was
supposed to be in typing class with her sister,
Helen, that day, but since Helen stayed home
that day, Ruby went to Study Hall
instead...everyone in the typing class was
killed. Her cousin Burton Barber was in the shop
where the explosion happened, but survived, his
brother Arden did not. Most of our family is
buried at Pleasant Hill Cemetery. My mother has
learned a great deal from your web site.
August 26th 2003
Reba Miller
Tyler, Texas |
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I went to New London from the early 50's to
1959. My dad was a pumper for Delta Drilling out
of Kilgore and we were transferred to Louisiana.
I started Kindergarten there and I think my
teachers name was Ms. Morris. One of the
articles I read here mentioned Mollie Ward. My
family lived just down the hill from her and her
family. She had 2 daughters, Judy and Joanne.
When the bluebonnets bloomed in the spring, my
Mom would take my brother and sister and me to
the monument and take pictures with the blue
bonnets in the background. The pictures were in
black and white. Going to school there memories
where everywhere of the disaster. I haven't been
back in a while but plan on coming home soon.
Thank you for your wonderful website, brought
back allot of memories of that special time of my
life in a small town of New London.
August 28th 2003
Sandra Bishop Satcher
Ruston, Louisiana |
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I was born in 1935, so have no memory of the
explosion. However, when I was in high school,
about 1951, I worked for a few months as a soda
jerk at the High School Drug owned by Charlie
McConnico.
A very pleasant older gentleman (can't remember
his name) used to come in for coffee, ice cream,
etc. I commented to Charlie one day, "Mr. (?)
frequently talks about his wife, but she never
comes with him." Charlie responded, "She never
will. They had three children, and all were
killed in the explosion. She's been in the Rusk
State Hospital (for the insane) ever since, and
probably always will be."
August 24 2003
Don Nix
San Antonio, TX now....grew up in New London |
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My mother Mary Ann Burkett Jordan was an 8 year
old that had just performed in a school play in
the gym. She and her mother left early to go to
her dance lessons. She told us they missed the
explosion by 3 min. Her dad thought they had
died and when they showed up at a local store
later that afternoon he was white with shock.
Recently my mom, sister and daughter visited the
school. It was very moving. The impact on that
small community must have been devastating! I
told my daughter that if she every doubted that
God had purpose for our lives we just needed to
look at this and see His sovereign hand.
July 15th 2003
Pamela Bettis
Andrews, TX |
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My Grandfather and his brother skipped school
that day. My grandfather was Robert Lee Williams
Sr. It was his brothers birthday that day so
they decided to skip they were playing on a hill
close to the school when it happened, I have no
records of what grade he was in as he died
before I was born.
July 5th 2003
Robert Lee Williams III
Houston, Texas
robriver2@hotmail.com |
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My grandmother was in the 11th grade that day.
Her name was Ruby Virginia Mitchell. she never
went back to that school again. she later went
on to be a nurse. My uncle and my aunt said she
never spoke of the event. I can't say as I blame
her. although I do wish I knew more about what
happened to her that day. I am 30 yrs old, I try
to tell my children the story and how lucky we
are she lived that day because none of us would
be here. she had 3 children, 2 boys and a girl,
my dad had 5 boys, my uncle had no children, and
my aunt had 2 girls. If any of the survivors
remember her I would like to know. my mother
used to stop at the memorial sometimes on the
way to my maternal grandmothers house in
Carlisle, Texas. later renamed price Texas.
July 5th 2003
Scott D Jones
Kilgore, Texas |
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My dad, Alton Beard was in the library browsing
through a war book when the explosion happened.
He jumped out the window, becoming aware of what
had happened and began looking for his two
sisters (Helen & Marie Beard). He reflects back
on it from time to time. Interesting
note...Since he is a fiddler, he made a homemade
fiddle case that I have in my possession now
which he lined with burgundy velvet that was
from the London High School Auditorium curtain.
George Alton Beard will be 83 on His next
birthday, God willing.
June 30th 2003
Dennis Alton Beard
Houston, TX |
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This is a very nice tribute to those lost in
this tragedy. My family lost several members
(Shaws) in this explosion. It was particularly
devastating to one of my uncles I never had a
chance to meet. My Grandmother and my father
tell me that he felt personally the loss since
he was superintendant of schools at the time. He
was never the same after the explosion according
to them.
June 26th 2003
Marshall Bryant
Orange, Texas |
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My great grandfather who was quite elderly at
the time went to the explosion and served coffee
for the Salvation Army. My mother talked about
it she said they had beds all up and down the
hallways at Mother Francis, which had just
opened.
June 23rd 2003
D Marshall
Tyler, TX |
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My granddad, Will Barton lived in Overton at the
time and helped to carry out victims. I also had
distant cousins who died in the explosion. I
have visited the site and it is hard to imagine
the magnitude of this. There is a nice museum
across the street from the new school filled
with pictures and stories.
December 29th 2001
Eric Barton
San Jose, CA |
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As I sit and think about that day, March 18,1937
so many years ago, I wonder how many of the kids
got up as usual, getting ready for just another
day at school. How many of those children had
plans for the inter-scholastic meet in Henderson
the very next day? But today who was planning on
skipping their chores and maybe going hunting
with a pal, or hoping mother would have a warm
plate of cookies sitting on the table when they
got home? The wonders I have are endless.
How many would have stayed in the area after
graduation to become pillars of the community?
Farmers or ranchers, doctors or workers in the
oilfields? Marrying a sweetheart from school,
going on to raise a family, kids, later
grandkids?
Or going off to join the military, to fight in
WW2? How many would have returned safely from
the war? The possibilities are endless of what
might have happened had that explosion never
occurred so many years ago.
I wonder.
[name withheld by request] |
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