W.C. Shaw Dies In Henderson

HENDERSON (Spl.)—W C. Shaw, 86, died Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ai tne Henderson Memorial Hospital following a short illness...

Mr. Shaw, a former deacon nf the London and Minden Baptist churches, was a native of Smith County. He had been a resident of Henderson and Rusk County since early youth.

He had taught 40 years in Rusk County schools and had been superintendent of both London and Minden schools...

Survivors include three sons, Charlie Shaw of Henderson, Rayford Shaw of Minden. and Herman Shaw of Fort Worth; two daughters, Mrs. Hazel Cobb of Henderson and Mrs. Helen Lisle of Grand Prairie; two sisters. Miss Ethel Shaw of Dallas and Mrs. Dove Jaggers of Olney Springs, Colo.; nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Source:
Obituary: "W.C. Shaw Dies In Henderson"; Tyler Morning Telegraph, Tyler, Texas; 30 Apr 1962, Mon, Page 1.

William Chesley Shaw
Born: 2 Jan 1876; Smith County, Texas
Death: 28 Apr 1962; Henderson, Rusk County, Texas
Age: 86 years old
Burial: Pleasant Hill Cemetery, New London, Rusk County, Texas, USA
Find A Grave Memorial

NEW LONDON, March 19—(UP) William C. Shaw, superintendent of the New London School, the man directly responsible lor the well being of its 1,250 pupils, identified one of the 425 recovered bodies form yesterday's explosion in a morgue early today.

It was that of his 17-year-old son Clifton "Sambo" Shaw.

A man of 61, the superintendent seemed to have aged 10 years overnight. His hands shook like those of a man suffering palsy. One of them was bandaged, injured in the explosion. His cheeks were flecked with dried blood from lacerations caused by flying glass.

He wondered if he might not have been, inadvertently, partly responsible. He recalled that he had made the janitor cap an unused gas pipe. It occurred to him that perhaps the pipe had not been sealed properly and that leaking gas filled the sub-basement of the school building and finally was ignited into the explosion.

Relatives tried to keep Shaw at home but he defied them. He plodded about the ruins on trembling legs and spoke frankly.

The natural gas that makes his school one of the richest in the world, he said, was used in gas radiators in every room. There are seven producing oil and gas wells on the campus.

"Most of our school was built right over the ground. Between the ground and the floors there was a cavity enclosed by the foundation. I should judge this cavity was about six feet deep, about 60 feet wide and more than 300 feet long."

"For a long time there has been a pipe coming up through the floor in one of the corridors. It never was connected with a radiator and always was in the way. Less than 10 days ago I told the janitor to sink this pipe below the level-of the floor, cap it and eliminate the hole in the floor.

"Now this is just conjecture, but I think—I am afraid—that pipe, a regular three-quarter inch gas pipe, might not have been capped tightly. In the last few days it might have let gas escape into that cavity under the floor."

Shaw remembered that in the past few days, teachers and students had remarked of a strong odor of gas early in the morning before gas radiators were lighted. Little significance was attributed to the odor, surrounded as the school is by gas and oil wells which continually emit a leaking stench.

Source:
"School Head Identifies Body Of Son Who Died In Gas Explosion"; The Evening Standard; Uniontown, Pennsylvania; 19 Mar 1937, Fri; Page 5.

At a meeting of the London School board held yesterday afternoon following an agitation in that community for the past several days for the resignation of Supt. W. C. Shaw of the school system the following letter to the board was presented and read:

Overton, Texas, May, 12th, 1937. Honorable School Board,
London Independent School District,
London, Texas,

Gentlemen:

In interest of our school and our good friend, Mr. W. C. Shaw, we want you and Mr. Shaw to know that we have been backing both of you one hundred percent in the trouble that you have been having, and are writing this letter in order that you may know just how we have felt toward the situation. After a careful study of the present situation we have come to the conclusion that the best thing for all concerned is for Mr. Shaw to tender his resignation, making it publicly known that his friends had made the suggestion due to the following reasons:

That since the disaster which has grieved him so much there has been some dissatisfaction and due to the suggestion of his friends and not to comply with any petition that has been circulated around, he sees fit to act on what his friends has recommended and not for any other purpose except for the consideration for his own health.

We want it thoroughly understood that this is not petition or a demand, but is a letter to express our feelings toward the situation as we see it at present and we believe from our heart that it would be the best thing for the school and Mr. Shaw, for him to resign.

Trusting that each of you will thoroughly understand that we are not trying to run your business in any way, but we as your friends are doing what we think is our duty toward the school board and Mr. Shaw, and we trust that each of you will see it that way, and that Mr. Shaw will still accept us as his friends.

Very respectfully yours,

M. O. Eaton,
E. S. Holt,
John Lumpkin
Elmo Cohagen

After discussion of the conditions that exist in the community relating to the school situation the following action was made a matter of record.

For many days we, the members of the Board of Trustees of the London Independent School District, have given our best thoughts and our deepest consideration to the problems that confront us in our school and community. We have therefore reached the conclusion: because of the enormity of the burden that has fallen your lot to bear, due to the tremendous loss that that has been yours, we believe that your physical make up will not permit you to go further with your present work; because of the huge task that lies before you as our superintendent, we believe that we would be damaging you and your health too greatly to expect it of you; and because we believe that our community will have a more cooperative feeling if you were replaced, it is necessary that we ask you to vacate the office you now hold. And you are hereby notified that the contract entered into by and between you and the Board of Trustees of the School District is terminated as of this date.

It cuts our hearts deeply to take this action but it is an outgrowth of our better judgement. Mr. Shaw, this act is not taken by this board for any reasons other than those stated above. We know that not even a portion of blame can be cast upon you for what has happened to our school.

For the faithful service you have rendered heretofore and for the marvelous character that you possess, and for the spirit and inspiration that you have been, we express to you our deepest and most heartfelt thanks, and we sincerely hope that the action that we have taken will be received by you in the same spirit is which it is done. May God keep you and bless you and your family is our petition.

E. W. REAGON,
President of the Board of Trustees, London Independent School District.
ATTEST:
J. WYCHE
Secretary of Board.

Source:
"London School Board Releases Supt. W.C. Shaw"; Henderson Daily News (Henderson, Tex.), Vol. 7, No. 48, Ed. 1 Friday, May 14, 1937; Pages 1,15; University of North Texas Libraries; The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rusk County Library; https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1331184/; accessed July 11, 2021.

Answering a letter from the London Independent School Board In which that body released him as superintendent of the school, W. C. Shaw has issued the following statement:

To the patrons, teachers and pupils of the London School:

I take this method of expressing my feelings and position in regard to my dismissal as Superintendent of the London School. Immediately after the great disaster of March 18 that brought incommensurable sorrow and grief to our community, of which I had my share, I reluctantly continued my services after appeals from the Board of Trustees, representatives of the oil companies operating in the district, and friends.

After undertaking this job of rebuilding a school which was the pride of my life, and feeling that I was no more responsible for what happened on that fateful afternoon than any member of the board, and others who claimed to know better than I the danger of gas and its explosive character. I did not propose to resign, and by so doing assume the whole responsibility of this disaster, and especially while under fire.

This is not an appeal for sympathy for I feel that the whole civilized world has heaped its bountiful sympathy upon us all. But I would appeal to the patrons, teachers who will be permitted to continue their services, and the pupils who have been spared, to rally to the authorities of the school and help it to be a bigger, better, and safer school than ever before.

To any ill feelings that may exist I would ask for that Grace of the Great Teacher when He said: "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."

With my best wishes and thanks for that splendid spirit of helpfulness you have shown me in the past, I am

Sincerely yours,
W. C. SHAW.

Source:
"Supt. W. C. Shaw Gives Reply to School Board"; Henderson Daily News (Henderson, Tex.), Vol. 7, No. 49, Ed. 1 Sunday, May 16, 1937; Page 10; University of North Texas Libraries; The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rusk County Library; https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1331185/; accessed July 11, 2021.

Today, in the perfect spring sunshine, a happy group of mothers gathered in the London rural school for the regular meeting of their P.T.A. As they talked of plans for their children's future, death hovered but a few minutes away.

Mrs. W. H. Phillips, who lives near the school, had gone to the meeting with little James, 5, too young for school. A few minutes after 3 o'clock Mrs. Phillips left the school to shop in a nearby store, leaving little James to wait for his brother and sister who were in classrooms.

Just as Mrs. Phillips reached for her bundles at the store she was paralyzed with fear as she heard the roar of a terrific explosion. Believing that it might have been an oil tank, she stood talking at the store. Then, as the first ambulance roared by, she felt that strange psychic feeling that only a mother can experience. Her children were in danger.

Following the ambulances she made her way back to the school where she had left her three children. Her fears and horror increased as they came over the brow of the hill and she caught a glimpse of the school she had left shortly before. Now it was a shambles of torn mortar and timbers. A man came from the wreckage carrying in this arms the torn body of a child. Stealing herself against the possibility that it might be one of her own children, she looked into the face of that pathetically lifeless body. It was her son, Virgil B., a handsome boy of 12.

Her grief at the discovery of the death of little Virgil mingled with fear for the safety of her other children. Nothing now could be done for Virgil, and as she tenderly laid his body on the ground, she turned to seek her daughter, Timillia Ruth, and the little fellow James, who was only five.

Peering into the faces of the row of broken bodies piled along the side of the road, praying that God had spared her further grief, she came upon one huddled little boy, tinier than all the others. James, too, had been a victim. His short life of only five happy years had come to an undeserved end. Little James, who had gone with his mother to a meeting, and to have the fun of going home with brother and sister.

Two sons taken from her in the sudden roar of a violent explosion. Then, the shock of finding that her daughter, Timillia Ruth, had also been a victim of the blast, was a greater blow than any human being should be called upon to bear.

Thre [sic] happy children that she had loved and cherished through birth, sickness, and health, had been taken from her with one swift stroke of fate.

At home is another Phillips child, the only little mortal left to hsi [sic] mother and father, when just a few hours before they had been a normal happy family of six.

May God give strength to this brave woman, for her husband, W. H. Phillips, lies now strapped in a cast in the Tri-State Hospital in Shreveport, victim of a wreck that happened four months ago.

Source:
"Mother Leaves School and Returns to Find Three Children Dead"; Henderson Daily News (Henderson, Tex.), Ed. 2 Thursday, March 18, 1937; University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rusk County Library; Pages 1,3; https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1331134/; accessed July 11, 2021.

Editors Note: Martha Harris 18-year-old student in the New London School was but a short distance away from the structure when it burst asunder with a terrific roar and killed hundreds of children She describes the scenes here.

BY MARTHA HARRIS Written for The Associated Press

OVERTON March 18 (AP)—I was in the home economy building about 60 yards from the school when I heard a terrible roar The earth shook and brick and glass came showering down. I looked out a window and saw my friends dying like flies. Kids were blown out through the top onto the roof. Some of them hung up there and others fell off three stories to the ground. I saw girls in my class jumping out windows like they were deserting a burning ship.

My brother Milton Harris, 16 years old, jumped from the second story and didn't get a scratch; just a little bruise on his knee when he hit the ground. My friend, Geraldine Ruffin, jumped out too and was not hurt.

My brother said the place just blew up all of a sudden and scared them awfully. It took his breath away and all he knew was he had to jump somewhere, anywhere.

I saw a girl fall out of the top story down through a big window which opened to the outside. The glass cut her leg off just like a knife would. It was hanging by a string.

The bodies of the kids were stacked up just like you would stack up hot cakes after the explosion.

I'll never forget how I saw my playmates bodies torn. Some of them were blown to bits and never will be found, I know. It was horrible.

Usually there are about 600 kids in school and I don't believe over 100 got out alive. About 25 were blown completely out of the building near me. The place was afire for about 30 minutes after the explosion.

Source:
"School Girl Who Witnessed Tragic Blast Saw Friends Dying Like Flies"; Martha Harris (18-year-old London School student), Associated Press; Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth, Texas; 19 Mar 1937, Fri; Page 11.

Martha “Peggy” Harris Melton (9 May 1918- 2 Mar 2010; 91 years old)
Pleasant Hill Cemetery, New London, Rusk County, Texas, USA
Find A Grave Memorial

"Deadliest single building or complex fires and explosions in the U.S. table"; Source: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) archive files, 1984 Fire Alamanac, and The Great International Disaster Book by James Cornell, Pocket Books New York, 1976; updated March 2008; https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Data-research-and-tools/US-Fire-Problem/Catastrophic-multiple-death-fires/Deadliest-single-building-or-complex-fires-and-explosions-in-the-US; accessed July 12, 2021.

In the days before the explosion, there had been evidence that there was leaking gas.

The United States Bureau of Mines (Department of the Interior) and the State of Texas sent experts to the scene to investigate. The investigation was really just an inquiry since the site was cleared of any evidence that could have been examined. They learned from the inquiry about the cancellation of the contract with United Gas Company two months earlier.

The official cause of the explosion was blamed on a combination of the unventilated floor space and the method of heating being wrong. The Bureau of Mines determined that the source of the gas leak was likely due to a faulty connection installed when the school ordered the tap into the residue line. The Texas Inspection Bureau’s H. Oram Smith published his preliminary findings on March 27, 1937. His findings were that:

Raw gas escaping from leaking lines had accumulated in a dead space between the foundation and basement floor. The gas expanded because of a drop in barometric pressure, and an electrical spark from a switch in the manual training shop had triggered the explosion.

Mr. Smith concluded that most of the faults of construction were due to a “lack of supervising power such as would apply in communities having city ordinances.” Since New London was an unincorporated area of Rusk County, he suggested that state laws were needed. There has not been a reason given for the cause of the leak, which likely would have been determined if the evidence was not taken away as fast as it was.

Source:
"The New London School Explosion"; Robert Steelhammer, Jr., PE; Continuing Education and Development, Inc.

"A teacher [C. R. Sory] and a student [Rosa Brlster] who escaped death In the disaster testified this morning that escaping raw gas before the explosion had caused severe headaches and that at times classes were removed to other parts of the building because of offensive odors... Sory identified pictures taken three weeks after the explosion of the smoked walls, but because he and T. B. Hodges, an oil field worker, could not decide who took the pictures, Judge Brown ruled they could not be admitted as evidence.

When Knape objected very vigorously, charging that the Judge had over-ruled his own ruling, Judge Brown threatened to throw the plaintiff’s counsel in jail. 'If you have no respect for this court,' he said, 'we have no respect for you.'

Earlier In the day, Judge Brown fined Knape $5 for being late in court. He arrived about 10 minutes late because, he said, he was preparing some subpoenas in the case. When he went Into the district clerk's office and returned to the courtroom, Judge Brown assessed another fine of $10 for leaving the room without permission, for not apologizing properly and for delaying the trial too much more."

Source:
"Band Teacher and Student Take Stand: Tell of Escaping Raw Gas in Rooms Of School Day Of Disaster"; Henderson Daily News (Henderson, Tex.), Vol. 8, No. 83, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 23, 1938; Pages 1,2; University of North Texas Libraries; The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rusk County Library; https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1331345/; accessed July 12, 2021

It will be observed that the barometer for Thursday, March 18, was high at 10 a. m. with a reading of 29.45 and that at 3 p. m., about the time of the explosion, the barometer had dropped to 29.34 and continued to fall for some time later.

The fact that the explosion occurred during a period of falling barometer is important for at least two reasons. In the first place, it may explain how it happened that one of the school employees, entering the open area underneath the floor at the southeast corner about 10 a. m. to remove some stored material, was able to strike several matches at this point without causing an explosion. It is very evident that the gas had not accumulated sufficiently for an explosion at this point up to 10 o’clock in the morning of the day the explosion occurred. It is important to note that this workman entered this area at the time the barometer was high for the day.[Page 5]

In the second place the gas would probably escape more readily and therefore accumulate in larger quantities as the barometer was falling. It is quite likely therefore that during the 5 hours of falling barometer from 10 a. m. to 3 p. m., the approximate time of the explosion, a large amount of gas had collected in the open area under the first floor...[Page 7]

It has not been possible to establish definitely the source of the gas accumulation. It may have resulted from improper pipe connections causing leaks in the lines. It may have come from nearby wells or it may have been due to seepage through the surrounding strata.

In any event the evidence is very definite and conclusive that the explosion originated in the manual training shop and spread through the unoccupied space under the first floor.[Page 8]

As previously stated the estimated area of the unoccupied space underneath the first floor on the west side of the building was approximately 65,000 cubic feet. Assuming that the most violent explosive gas mixture was approximately 6.5 percent gas and 93.5 percent air, about 4,225 cubic feet of gas would be necessary to accumulate in this area. With the abundance of gas present from sources in the vicinity of the school building this condition could quite easily develop.[Page 8]

The following precautionary measures are recommended for prevention of explosions in schoolhouses, public buildings, and institutions:

(1) The use of effective malodorants for detection of escaping combustible gas due to leaking equipment or other causes should be required.

(2) Practical methods for the installation of gas indicators centrally located in school buildings and public institutions to detect the presence of escaping combustible gases in concentrations below their lower explosive limits should be developed. This disaster has clearly shown the need for further research on the development of alarm systems and warning devices in connection with the operation of combustible gas indicators as adapted to school buildings and other institutions where large numbers of people are exposed to explosion hazards.

(3) Supervision and inspection, by competent authorities, of public buildings and installations of heating and lighting devices and equipment should be required.

(4) Approved pressure regulating devices should be properly installed in all gas lines where natural gas is used for heating school buildings and public institutions.

(5) All electrical equipment and appliances should be installed in accordance with requirements of the National Electrical Code.

(6) Provision should be made for such proper construction of school buildings that will eliminate dead spaces underneath class recitation rooms and similar meeting rooms where dangerous gases can accumulate.

(7) Main pipe lines carrying gas to be used for heating purposes should not pass directly under public buildings, but should be located outside the building proper with only the necessary connections entering the main building.

(8) Adequate ventilation of all necessary and essential spaces under all occupied sections of public buildings should be required.

(9) Adequate ventilation at all times for schoolrooms using gasheating appliances should be provided.[Page 9]

Source:
Report: "Explosion at Consolidated School, New London, Tex.: Report on Investigation of Explosion at Consolidated School, New London, Tex.; March 18, 1937"; 75th Congress, 1st Session, U.S. Senate; Document No. 56; Prepared by David J. Price, Principal Engineer in Charge; Chemical Engineering Research Division, Bureau of Chemistry and Soils, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C.; April 1, 1937.

The April 1937 edition of the Quarterly National Fire Protection Association ran a 14-page summary of the London School disaster of the previous month. Among the conclusions in the report prepared by H. Oram Smith with the Texas Inspection Bureau, was that "the value of a distinctive malodorant in all gas supply systems by which leaking gas may be readily detected is clearly evident."

Due to pressures from Texas constituents and several Representatives, the 45th Legislature passed legislation giving the Railroad Commission the authority to adopt rules and regulations pertaining to the odorization of natural gas or liquefied petroleum gases (House Bill 1017); May 17, 1937). The Railroad Commission, in response to the Legislature’s actions, ordered the odorization of natural gas to prevent future disasters caused by undetected leaks.

By enforcing this legislation, the Commission committed itself to protecting Texans from the hazards of the oil and gas industry and set an important precedent for future safety efforts. On July 27, 1937, Gas Utilities Docket 122 was adopted, and the commission began enforcement of odorization requirements for natural gas.

The most important developments in the investigation of the explosion in the Texas schoolhouse can be summarized as follows:

1. It must be recognized that open or unoccupied spaces underneath class recitation rooms are dangerous. Such spaces are too readily available for the storage of combustible materials or explosives, or for the accumulation of dangerous gases and vapors.

2. Inspection and supervision of school buildings, during construction and before and during occupancy, by competent officials is vitally necessary. This must include the inspection of heating and lighting equipment and appliances and similar installations from the standpoint of safety before boys and girls are allowed to occupy the building. The safety of occupancy is of the most fundamental importance.[Page 9]

3. Hazardous processes should not be carried on under or adjoining class recitation rooms. The isolation of manual training room operations, smith and forging operations, carpenter shop work, automobile, motor, and engine repair work, and the location of these operations in buildings separate from the main school building is desirable.

4. The inherent danger of using the basement under class recitation rooms as a garage for busses, automobiles, trucks, etc., must be recognized. The necessary storage of gasoline, oils, and other flammable liquids in connection with the operation and maintenance of garages introduces a serious hazard in the development of consolidated high schools, particularly in rural areas.

5. The use of effective malodorants for detection of escaping combustible gases due to leaking equipment or other causes, when the gas used for heating or lighting has no odor or toxic effect, is vitally necessary.

6. The importance of the further development of alarm end warning devices, in connection with the operation of combustible gas indicators as adapted to school buildings and other institutions where large numbers of people are exposed to explosion hazards, has been clearly shown by this disaster.[Pages 9,10]...

In order that the tragic explosion in the New London schoolhouse may not be just another "unusual disaster," the following concerted action program is recommended to all responsible and interested agencies in order to prevent similar occurrences in other school districts:

1. Arrange for immediate inspection of school buildings, with special attention to basements, unoccupied spaces, open and dead spaces under class rooms. All combustible material should be promptly removed and steps taken to prevent the future storage and collection of flammable and other dangerous materials.

2. Provide proper agencies for passing an construction plans for new school "buildings or improvements and additions to existing buildings with respect to safety for occupancy. See that all heating and lighting equipment and appliances are installed by properly trained workmen in compliance with requirements of recognized standard codes, and that all possible safety measures are adopted before school children are allowed to occupy the building.

3. Arrange to isolate all processes involving fire or explosion hazards from underneath class recitation rooms or in close proximity thereto.

4. Make provision for extension of methods for inspection and supervision of school buildings and similar institutions as now applied in urban centers to consolidated and other schools in rural areas.

5. Provide for systematic and regular fire drills under supervision of competent and qualified authorities.[Page 12]...

Source:
Presentation at the Sixty-fifth Annual Conference International Association of Fire Chiefs; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; October 19, 1937:
"Lessons from the New London, Texas, School Explosion"; Prepared by David J. Price, Principal Engineer in Charge; Chemical Engineering Research Division, Bureau of Chemistry and Soils, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C.

Oklahoma officers, prior to the lie detector test, said the story might be true because Benson "tells a pretty straight story without many contradictions."

By JOE DAVENPORT
East Texas Editor

Officers of two states Tuesday night were still trying to determine the validity of a confession written by a man claiming that 24 years ago he caused the world's worst school tragedy ever recorded— the New London school explosion.

Texas Ranger Jim Ray of Tyler, Rusk County Sheriff Pete Gibson and Rusk Co. Dist. Atty. William L. Ferguson joined Oklahoma officers in questioning 41-year-old William Estel Benson Tuesday night after the former New London student, took a lie detector test that proved inconclusive.

Both the Associated Press and the United Press International reported the polygraph test failed to show whether the ex-convict made his confession because of 24 years of grief over a dead sister or from a gnawing sense of guilt as he claims.

Benson Monday night, after his arrest for a $38 cafe robbery in Oklahoma City, wrote a confession stating he loosened connections of gas pipes under the school two weeks before the explosion that demolished the new, two-story brick school and killed nearly 300 students and teachers.

In determining the validity of [words missing from image] Oklahoma officers Tuesday afternoon gave him a lie detector test that was "inconclusive because he (Benson) was not physically or mentally capable of giving a valid reaction at the time."

In his Monday night statement Benson, son of Mrs. Helen Curlee who has resided in Kilgore since moving from New London some two years ago, said he loosened the gas line connections to "run up a gas bill because the principal reprimanded me for smoking on the school grounds."

"I knew plenty about oil and gas pipes. I stole two 18-inch wrenches to take loose the unions which connected the gas line under the school. I broke both loose and waited for two weeks to see what would happen," the confession is quoted by both news services.

When the confession was made public early Tuesday morning, present and past school officials scoffed at the statement then added that no record of Benson as a student could be found, even in the school annual for that year.

New London School Board Pres. G. W. Kerce first remembered Benson. In Tyler he said of Benson and of the time of the explosion, "I was a student then. I know him personally and he was a student there at that time also."

Others began remembering Benson. Around noon High School Prin. G. T. Mason found a "Texas Teachers Daily Register" kept by Miss Laura Bell (a blast victim) in school year 1935-36 for grade 6B.

Listed as a student was 15-year-old "Estel Benson", and following his name was a large number of "A's" for absent.

Although his confession says he was 17 at the time of the blast, his mother and the register show he was only 16.

Mrs. Curlee Tuesday morning, in addition to placing Benson's age at 16 when the school building exploded, also revealed she had a 14-year-old daughter killed in the tragedy and that her son has long felt the blame for her death.

Mrs. Curlee lives with a grand daughter in Kilgore, Mrs. I. O. Crews who said, "He (Benson) has been a mental patient all these years and has been thinking about this explosion and blaming himself. His mind is bad and he doesn't know anything else because he has thought about this explosion so long."

In an interview Tuesday afternoon, Benson, in the presence of officers, said he had received a whipping from the school's principal and it made him "mad."

On the day of the explosion Benson said he and two other boys were in a hayloft near the school playing hooky. He also said that when the building was constructed he helped lay the gas pipes and that after the explosion he helped clean up the rubble.

Oklahoma officers said Benson claims he made the confession because about a month ago he was in New London and saw the monument in front of the modern oil field community school that was erected in memory of the 282 students and 14 teachers killed in the fifth worst explosion in terms of casualties in this country.

Although Benson steadfastly claims he caused the accident, residents, many of whom lost children or suffered injuries in the explosion, generally express doubt to Benson's claim and wish the subject hadn't arose again.

Oklahoma officers, prior to the lie detector test, said the story might be true because Benson "tells a pretty straight story without many contradictions."

Officers indicate many details told by Benson check with those given Oklahoma police by Rusk County officers Monday night, especially the positioning of the pipes and the location where the gas pocket was that created the blast.

In report by a legislative team sent to the East Texas Oilfield, along with a military court of inquiry and an investigative team of the Bureau of Mines by Gov. James V. Allred, was the statement that reads: "Gas was present in the space because of leakage from gas lines and their fittings (possibly loose connections) with virtually no method of detecting its presence."

The findings also show that the cause of the blast was "ignition of a large volume of highly explosive natural gas-air mixture that had accumulated in an inadequately ventilated space beneath the first floor of the main school building ... and had a volume of approximately 64,000 cubic feet."

It was determined by investigators the "manipulation of an electric switch on a panel in the manual training room ignited the gas."

The explosion came straight up through the school building, caving in walls. There was no fire.

A majority of those students killed in the blast were in the auditorium where Supt. William C. Shaw had been talking. He had just stepped out of the auditorium with the nearly 200 pupils, including his son, when the blast came, killing all in the auditorium.

Official findings into the blast show the explosive force was so great that a 1500-pound concrete slab was hurled more than 25 feet into a parked auto.

Another verified report shows that a brick from the school was hurled through the wall of a garage nearly three quarters of a mile from the campus.

One of the greatest problems faced by searchers was finding funeral homes to handle the large number of victims. Bodies were taken to funeral homes at Arp, Henderson, Jacksonville, Kilgore, Tyler, Longview, Nacogdoches, Overton and Rusk.

Injured were placed in hospitals all over East Texas. Mother Francis Hospital in Tyler was opened, although still under construction, to handle a number of children who were being frantically sought by parents.

Although more than 1,000 students and faculty members were involved in the explosion, it could have been worse because only minutes before the blast some 500 elementary school children were let out of school for the day.

It is this Benson confesses causing. However, Troy Duran of Henderson, the principal whom the ex-mental patient says reprimanded him, passes the confession off as a false report.

Frank Griffith, jailer at Henderson, said he remembered a false report several years ago. "Some guy in a flop house in New York City made a death bed statement that he blew up the school house, but we checked the records and there wasn't anything to it.

"Apparently his story is true," Oklahoma City Police Lt. I. G. Purser, who arrested Benson, told press services. At least I'm convinced of it. He knew things no one would know unless they were involved."

But in checking the story by polygraph, the outcome was in conclusive and officers said it will either be Wednesday afternoon or Thursday before another lie detector test can be given because Benson is "too nervous, too upset."

Source:
"2 States Study Truth Of Benson Confession: Polygraph Test Is Inconclusive"; Joe Davenport, East Texas Editor; Tyler Morning Telegraph (Tyler, Texas); 19 Jul 1961, Wed; Pages 1,6.

"... those who suffered sorrow 24 years ago wished that the incident hadn't been re-opened. 'It won't bring our children back,' one woman said in expressing her desire that 'it' would fade away quickly. She, and the many others desiring 'it' to pass quickly away again, are getting their wish as the bitter pages of East Texas history are closed once more."

By JOE DAVENPORT
East Texas Editor

HENDERSON—Unassuming William Estel Benson here Thursday morning verified the belief of most folks in the East Texas oilfield by admitting as a hoax his Oklahoma City, "confession" that he caused the New London school explosion 24 years ago.

"I had nothing to do with it," the ex-convict and ex-mental patient said quietly at a press conference in Rusk County Courtroom.

Monday night Benson wrote a statement for Oklahoma City police in which he said he loosened connections of gas pipes under the school because he was "mad" at a principal who reprimanded him for smoking on the school campus.

Why did he make the fake confession?

"Well, I just told them that," he said.

"It started with a lie and they (news media) got on it so bad, it was harder to back out than to go through with it.

"I didn't want any publicity. I didn't even think it would get in the papers. I don't have any idea why I did it."

This isn't the first time, however, for the former New London student to "confess" what he didn't do.

Benson in 1947 confessed to several Oklahoma City robberies which police checks revealed he didn't commit.

In 1950 he said he committed eight burglaries, six of which police say he didn't do.

In 1959 he bragged to police of using a cutting torch to open and burglarize a safe, but again police proved he didn't commit the crime he said he did.

In connection with making his "confession" of causing the March 18, 1937, school explosion, Benson also said he shot an Army officer in 1944 in Mississippi.

Thursday morning Benson also revealed that this was a lie and that the officer actually befriended him by giving him a ride when Benson told him he was trying to get home on an emergency furlough when he was actually absent without leave.

"His wife even made me a lunch to take with me," Benson said of the officer.

However, parts of Benson's claims regarding the school explosion that killed 296, is true, according to him and conclusions reached when taking lie detector tests at Dallas Wednesday night.

Benson was playing hooky and in a hayloft when the school exploded and he did help in the rescue work after the blast.

Curly-headed Benson, also confessed burglarizing businesses in Kilgore, Henderson, Tyler, Longview, Big Sandy, Laird Hill and Overton. Dist. Atty. William L. Ferguson said polygraph testing showed that Benson apparently burglarized a washateria in the Rusk County part of Kilgore and charges will be filed against him for that.

Benson began changing his story while traveling from Oklahoma City to Dallas Wednesday afternoon, Ferguson said.

By the time he arrived in Dallas, accompanied by Ferguson, Rusk Co. Sheriff Pete Gibson and Ranger Jim Ray, he had revealed the whole confession as a hoax and agreed to cooperate with polygraph operators.

Benson said the lie test in Oklahoma City wasn't any good because he didn't cooperate and the operator couldn't get a good "reading."

Ferguson said Benson underwent about an hour and a half of testing by two Dallas operators who said Benson was definitely telling the truth when saying he had nothing to do with the explosion.

Benson was arrested by Oklahoma City police Monday night for questioning about a $38 robbery of a cafe. Thursday morning he said the waitress he robbed is his wife who last month had him committed to a mental institution for five days of testing which showed Benson as a non-psychotic, but a man with a drinking problem.

In confessing the hoax, Benson signed this statement: "I have no explanation for this cruel and unhuman act I have done or the endless and tireless work of all law enforcements that have gone into this investigation. I can't ask for forgiveness from the many, many I have harmed through this false statement I made in Oklahoma City. But I do hope that all the people connected with the school disaster can find in their hearts to forgive me."

Benson said he didn't know just why or when he decided to tell the story but indicated it might have started with him when he visited in New London "a month or month and a half ago."

He said he had also thought about the disaster a good deal.

"I've dreamed about it— about my sister," Benson said, keeping his delicate hands clasped in his lap. His 14-year-old sister was killed in the world's worst school tragedy at the "world's richest, rural school."

Benson's about-face with his "confession" wasn't a surprise to most of the residents in the New London school area. From the time they first heard of the confession most expressed doubts.

Chesley Shaw, who received a broken back in the explosion, said Tuesday: "I know him well. I don't think him capable" of causing the blast.

Such feeling as this was general as those who suffered sorrow 24 years ago wished that the incident hadn't been re-opened.

"It won't bring our children back," one woman said in expressing her desire that "it" would fade away quickly.

She, and the many others desiring "it" to pass quickly away again, are getting their wish as the bitter pages of East Texas history are closed once more.

Source:
"New London Disaster: Benson Confesses His Story All Lies"; Joe Davenport, East Texas Editor; Tyler Morning Telegraph (Tyler, Texas); 21 Jul 1961, Fri; Pages 1,10.