"I was supposed to be waiting outside for the school bus, but somehow a friend of mine had gotten a nickel," she said.
"We went across the street and bought a Popsicle to split in two so we could share, and that's when the explosion happened."
Johnson and other former students of London School stood in groups of three or four in the bright morning sunshine Saturday, waiting for the start of the 2007 meeting of the New London Ex-Student Reunion and Memorial Association in the West Rusk High School auditorium.
Snatches of conversation could be overheard, phrases such as "I haven't seen you in years" and "I guess we've all gotten a little older," as hugs were exchanged, and hands were shaken.
The alumni group has met every two years since 1977, and many people who gathered had been able to make most of those reunions. This year, about 300 people attended.
The association meeting began with a prayer and a rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner" played on the trumpet by Max Dorsey of the association's board.
Miles Toler, vice president of the association, updated the group about the new 30-minute video of the school — before and after the explosion — now at the London Museum.
"It's about keeping the memory alive," he said of the museum.
He introduced the various graduating classes — from 1933, which had one member, Evelyn Murphy Ward, represented, all the way up until 1965.
Some of the classes had good-natured rivalries between them. For example, "the classes of 1949 and 1950 had a contest to see who could raise the most in donations to the memorial association," he said.
The representative from the Class of 1949 didn't have the amount readily available, but someone from the Class of 1950 held up a sign, saying that class had collected $4,500. Cheers filled the auditorium.
Toler said the alumni association is proud of its scholarships, which are given to high school students.
"In 1989, the association began giving out scholarships and have collected $5,000 so far, this year."
Toler said the memorial association has $84,000 in an investment account, and the interest in that account goes toward the scholarships of about $500 each.
Jean Tyner Davidson, secretary and treasurer of the association, said the scholarships are based on need and academic record, and usually cover the cost of books.
"We are going through applications now to be awarded in April," she said.
"Last year, there were so many who were deserving, it was hard to make a selection."
After the re-election of the board members, there was a slideshow of the names of class members who had died, along with the years they had graduated. With some of the names, the word "survivor" appeared at the bottom of the slide.
After the main meeting, the former students went to classrooms marked by their graduating year.
Thank you first for the articles about the anniversy of New London. When I lived in Longview in 65 I met a gentlman who was the manager of an apartment I lived in. He was a student at New London. He told me the day of the explosion was his birthday and he did not want to go to school. So he hid under the porch all day. He then told me when the school blew up he saw his mother running out of the house very upset. His name is Roy Tilly. I still think about Roy when I hear about New London.Thanks
This year’s reunion was extremely great, and very well
organized! I would like to thank “EVERYONE” who had a part in the
organizing, presenting the programs, and to all the exes and
others that came to share in the memories of our loved ones
who gave their lives that we in the future could live in a
safer enviroment by having ‘gas’ that smells.
I’m sorry for the saddness for the surviors.I know everything God has a purpose for.That because of it may have saved many other lives.I have three beautiful children and can’t even imagine that happening.I have shared this story with them and their hearts go out to the surviors.I’ve told them you never know what may happen enjoy everyday with anyone that you love like it’s your last.My prayers are with all of the ones on that horrible day!
I had the wonderful pleasure of attending the four different activities for the 70th Anniversary of the London School Explosion last Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I am amazed at the warmth and sincere appreciation of the survivors. It was an honor to be with them and to just listen to their stories and rememberences of that fateful day that changed so many lives. Thanks to everyone that attended and especially to everyone who organized and planned the four activities. See all of you in 2009.
What interesting recollections of that very horrific explosion that happened years ago. I am very glad that all have found closure. I am very glad Bill Thompson has accepted the fact that it wasn’t his fault at all, but can relate to how it could have had that effect on him. Blessings to all and I know that thru it all, In God we still trust.
I was 2 years old at the time of the explosion living in New Summerfield,Texas. Your stories cover a very tragic time in the lives of many people, not only in London, but in the many surrounding communities that were, and are, their neighbors. The stories are a good history lesson and reflect a great way of life in the East Texas community. People caring for their neighbors in 1937 and today. That’s just the way they are.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Janet Lurker
March 18, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this
Thank you first for the articles about the anniversy of New London. When I lived in Longview in 65 I met a gentlman who was the manager of an apartment I lived in. He was a student at New London. He told me the day of the explosion was his birthday and he did not want to go to school. So he hid under the porch all day. He then told me when the school blew up he saw his mother running out of the house very upset. His name is Roy Tilly. I still think about Roy when I hear about New London.Thanks
By Betty Stone Lyon (1960)
March 19, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this
This year’s reunion was extremely great, and very well organized! I would like to thank “EVERYONE” who had a part in the organizing, presenting the programs, and to all the exes and others that came to share in the memories of our loved ones who gave their lives that we in the future could live in a safer enviroment by having ‘gas’ that smells.
By Cindy Hutchison
March 19, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this
I’m sorry for the saddness for the surviors.I know everything God has a purpose for.That because of it may have saved many other lives.I have three beautiful children and can’t even imagine that happening.I have shared this story with them and their hearts go out to the surviors.I’ve told them you never know what may happen enjoy everyday with anyone that you love like it’s your last.My prayers are with all of the ones on that horrible day!
By Jim Ross
March 19, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this
I had the wonderful pleasure of attending the four different activities for the 70th Anniversary of the London School Explosion last Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I am amazed at the warmth and sincere appreciation of the survivors. It was an honor to be with them and to just listen to their stories and rememberences of that fateful day that changed so many lives. Thanks to everyone that attended and especially to everyone who organized and planned the four activities. See all of you in 2009.
By Kaye
March 21, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this
I had a science teacher/coach in middle school named James Motley. He was a survivor of the New London explosion. Wondered if he was still alive.
By Feby
March 21, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this
What interesting recollections of that very horrific explosion that happened years ago. I am very glad that all have found closure. I am very glad Bill Thompson has accepted the fact that it wasn’t his fault at all, but can relate to how it could have had that effect on him. Blessings to all and I know that thru it all, In God we still trust.
By Ken Dickson
March 25, 2007 9:34 PM | Link to this
I was 2 years old at the time of the explosion living in New Summerfield,Texas. Your stories cover a very tragic time in the lives of many people, not only in London, but in the many surrounding communities that were, and are, their neighbors. The stories are a good history lesson and reflect a great way of life in the East Texas community. People caring for their neighbors in 1937 and today. That’s just the way they are.