Albert Hays Funeral
HOW ALBERT HAYS WAS LAID TO HIS LAST REST
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Two Brief Requiem-Like Airs, The Address, Then the Lamar Band, the Old Band of Which Our Late Townsman Was the Leader, Played As the Crowd Stood Outside – Played Again at the Grave – A Band Member Placed a Lily Upon the Casket With an Eloquent and Touching Tribute to His Old Chief.
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The KONANTZ Chapel was filled to capacity, at the funeral of the late Albert HAYS. The service was an unusual one. There were two brief interludes of requiem like music from a Victrola, then after the address the old Lamar band that had played under our late townsman as a director, gathered in the yard and played Chopin’s Funeral March. Arthur AULL delivered a eulogy upon our late townsman, depicting his life work, and emphasizing the points of his strong personality, along with his honesty, his courage, his marvelous self control and his life work in the community. A very beautiful offering of flowers was fairly woven into a green a blooming mass at the rear of the casket.
Following the simple service, the casket was escorted to Lake Cemetery.
The active pallbearers were Frank THORPE, Ed McCLURE, Cecil KAZEE, Ernest WOODIN, Earl RUTHERFORD and U. GRAY.
The honorary pallbearers were Col. F.M. THORPE, Jim BONNEY, W.P. FINKS, Don WEST, E.E. WAGNER, John PAHLOW, Geo. E. WARD and C. F. BRILEY.
The women who took care of the flowers were Mesdames Tom STREEPER, Frank VLAZNY, Eddie COX and Pearl HUMPHREY, all members of the Legion Auxiliary.
A generous tribute to our late townsman was the manner in which the old band turned out to show their love for its late chief. The band stood outside, and played as the crowd waited for the casket to be taken from the funeral home. Among those who played were, Chas. GOODBALL, of Minden, who succeeded his old chief, as leader; Pat GRIFFEN, W.E. WALTERS and his sons, Messrs Herbert and Warren, of Golden City; D.B. MILLER, Ira ALEXANDER, Earl WAID, Carl KONANTZ, Joe SHUSNICK of Burgess; Jack TOSTI, of Pittsburg, E. MONONI and Raymond MONONI, form Pittsburg, Jack CASLAVKA, who came from Minden with his friend and mentor, Chas. GOODBAL, Earl KESSELL, Paul RISTER, G.W. SCHRIEVE, Chas. TYCE and Jim KNEEBONE. Allen WALTERS played the trap drums for Arthur DAVIS, who was not sufficiently recovered from his recent operation to play. The band played a funeral march, at the grave followed by Nearer My God to Thee.
H.E. WATERS followed by placing a lily, upon the casket of his late chief, accompanying the act with a touching address.
Then, the body of Albert HAYS was lowered to sleep in the soil. Dear ones and friends walked away, with his memory enshrined in their hearts.
Lamar Democrat
March 14, 1939, p. 6, col. 1
Submitted by Sara Reed on July 27, 2002.