It was traditional at West Side Baptist Church in Beatrice, Nebraska, to hold choir practice on Wednesday night beginning at 7:30. But one night, March 1, 1950, one by one, two by two, the choir members all had excuses for being late. Marilyn, the church pianist overslept on her after-dinner nap, so she and her mother were late. One girl, a high school sophomore, was having trouble with her homework. That delayed her, so she was late. One couple could not get their car started. They, and those they were to pick up, were subsequently late. All eighteen choir members, including ...