The morning of June 27th was clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full summer day. The flowers were blossoming and the grass on the town green in front of the bandstand was a nice warm summer green. The folks in the village and the farmers inside the township line began to gather in the square between the post office and the bank by about ten o'clock. School was out for the summer and the kids came in early to chase around the board sidewalks the way kids will.

Bobby Martin and Harry Jones were sitting in front of the post office swapping stones. Bobby had his pockets full already -- nice, smooth round ones. The girls stood aside, talking among themselves, and looking over their shoulders at the boys, and the very small children rolled in the dust or clung to the hands of their older brothers and sisters.