1925 Newspaper Abstracts JAN-JUN For JUL - SEP see1925 CONTINUED -- JUL - DECThe Weekly Corinthian, Vol. XXX #4, Thurs. Jan. 22, 1925: p. 3, c. 2 or 3 [page torn] - MAN SEVENTY FOUR PLEASED WITH FLIGHT ------------- Roscoe Turner, the flying man, made a trip to Pocahontas, Tenn., Sunday and while there had as a passenger in his airplane J. D. DeVinney, a well known citizen of that community, who has passed the three score and ten limit by a few years ago. It is stated that Mr. DeVinney, took the flight as a sort of challenge from a number of his friends, having said before that he would never make a flight. When he landed he had hardly got out of the machine until he said "By smut, that is about the best ride I ever had, and I might take another." The Weekly Corinthian, Vol. XXX #5, Thurs., Jan. 29, 1925: p. 8, c. 2 - ...Roscoe Turner who drove the first plane from St. Louis to Dallas, Texas, carrying a salesman for Curlee Clothing Co., of St. Louis, Mo., opening a new era in commercial aviation had as his passenger Saturday S. H. Curlee prominent capitalist and manufacturer on a trip of inspection to Muscle Shoals and tri-cities in Alabama for the day.... The Weekly Corinthian, Vol. XXX #6, Thurs., Feb. 5, 1925: p. 8, c. 2 - FROM TUESDAY'S DAILY. The alarming information comes from Roscoe Turner who is spending a few days in Saint Louis that airplanes are advancing in price and those interested had better make their purchases right away. This will be somewhat annoying to many who had contemplated buying during the summer, and now are threatened with an increase that may make the investment prohibitive. The Weekly Corinthian, Vol. XXX #7, Thurs., Feb. 12, 1925: p. 8, c. 3 - TURNER IS HOME WITH NEW PLANE FOR TENNESSEAN Tuesday's Daily, Roscoe Turner is back from St. Louis where he went several days ago to receive an airplane, the sale of which had been made to a Mr. Walker at Clifton, Tenn. Mr. Turner came in Monday afternoon having made the flight from St. Louis to Corinth in less than five hours. He will take the airplane to his Tennessee patron and will also give him lessons in handling it. Walker and a friend were here several weeks ago and became interested in the air craft and it was understood that each was to make a purchase, but only one machine has been sold thus far. Yazoo County News, Yazoo City, MS, Mon., March 9, 1925: p. 1, c. 5 - SAFE AIRPLANE TRIP ------ Evangelist Gypsy Smith made his return trip from Memphis yesterday afternoon [Sunday, March 8, 1925] in 3 hours and 20 minutes-- stopping at Greenwood for gasoline. He reached the landing field here in Wisetown at 4:40. The aeroplane was driven by Lt. Roscoe Turner, who gave some stunt flying after safely landing with the evangelist. Mr. Smith addressed 12,000 men in a Bible class rally at Memphis yesterday morning. Prayers were offered here for his safe return. Daily Commonwealth, Greenwood, Leflore Cty, MS, Mon, March 9, 1925: p. 1, c. 4 - GIPSY SMITH JR. ON FLYING VISIT ------ Evangelist Flies Into Greenwood For Twenty-Five Minute Stay On Yesterday Afternoon -------- Gipsy Smith, Jr., paid Greenwood a flying visit yesterday afternoon. Gipsy's visit was a real flying visit for Gipsy dropped down from the skies, and spent twenty-five minutes while his plane was re-fueling before taking off again for Yazoo City. Gipsy was returning by plane from Memphis where he delivered an address at a Bible class yesterday morning, making the trip both ways by airplane. The plane landed at the county club yesterday afternoon at 3:15 and the tanks were refilled by the Gulf Refining Company. The plane departed at 3:40. Roscoe Turner was the pilot on the trip. The Weekly Corinthian, Vol. XXX #11, Thurs., March 12, 1925: p. 1, c. 2 - LIEUT. TURNER TO HAVE GYPSY SMITH PASSENGER ----------- Saturday's Daily. Lieut. Roscoe Turner of this city is to figure prominently in the inter-city Sunday school class attendance Sunday between Memphis and Evansville, Ind. The two citizens have staged this contest to run ten Sundays and to come to a climax Sunday morning at Memphis in the Municipal Auditorium. At Evansville the personal attraction for the final Sunday is to be Gov. Jackson of the state of Indiana: Memphis is countering with Gypsy Smith. The evangelist is in a revival at Yazoo City. In order that he may make the return trip from Memphis in time for his service at Yazoo City he will make the trip by airplane, and will be a passenger of Lieut. Turner in his big new plane. When the evangelist was in Corinth he made an airplane trip with Mr. Turner and he feels perfectly safe in taking passage on the big ship with him as the pilot. The Weekly Corinthian, Vol. XXX #12, Thurs., March 19, 1925: p. 3, c. 4 - LEAPING FROM PARACHUTE LANDS UPON A BOVINE ----------- Roscoe Turner, who made the flight from Yazoo City to Memphis and return with Gypsy Smith as a passenger last Sunday for the Strand Bible Class lecture, is in receipt of a letter from C. L. Montgomery, president of the class, in which he is thanked for the assistance he gave the class by transporting the great evangelist on that occasion. Lieut. Turner made a short talk in the presence of the class and for the sentiments expressed therein he was strongly commended. He is at home from Water Valley where he gave an exhibition. In the parachute jump from the airplane landed safely but landed on a cow, which was one of the amusing features of the big exhibition. The Weekly Corinthian, Vol. XXX #17, Thurs., March 23, 1925: p. 7, c. 6 - SHORTEN TIME TO ST. LOUIS IN NEW SHIP ----------- From Wednesday's Daily. Roscoe Turner came in from St. Louis Tuesday afternoon in a new airship of more pretentious proportions than has been in Corinth before. It is a big five passenger, 300 horse power machine, and the flight was made from St. Louis to Corinth in three hours and ten minutes without stopping. Mr. and Mrs. S. H. Curlee had planned to make the trip home with Mr. Turner but had to pass up the opportunity on account of the slight illness of Mr. Curlee. It is planned that this trip will be made later. Mr. Turner left this morning for Sheffield where he went to keep a business appointment with a number of real estate men of the Muscle Shoals territory, making the trip in the new ship. There is not so much difference in the length of this new airship and the ordinary ones, but the difference is in the bulkiness of the body and the power. It is 25 feet from tip of nose to tail; 48 feet from tip to tip of wings; is all metal construction; has a loading capacity of 1250 pounds; carries 108 gallons of gas; makes a flight of 500 miles without landing; has a speed capacity of 120 miles per hour; 12 cylinders of 300 h.p., and will fly on either six, these being constructed in separate units; has 2 carburators, 4 magnetos, and will operate on any one of them; has 24 spark plugs. There are three seats. The rear seat is occupied by the aviator. The next seat front is room enough for two passengers, and the one nearest the engine will accommodate three. Mr. Turner is pardonably proud of his new ship, and says it is one of three planes that he now has for operations. The Florence Times, Florence, AL, Thurs., April 4, 1925: p. 1 , c. 5 - TURNER TO START SCHOOL OF FLYING Lieutenant Roscoe Turner, of Corinth and Sheffield, who is well-known as an aviator throughout this section, has completed his plans for operating a school for instruction in flying, and has three planes which will be used in his operations here. He will be assisted by Captain W. N. Mohlar and A. H. Starnes, the latter being a stunt flier. His operations will be conducted at Gusmus Field, adjacent to Nitrate Plant No. 2, and at Ford City, and his planes will be used commercially and for exhibition purposes, and in addition to three now in use, he will add a seven passenger plane from which parties may view the scenery of Muscle Shoals. Five prospective fliers have already enrolled for instruction in the school, including three local men, E. C. Carter, Charles Ovitt and F. M. Sharp, and Earl Cobb, of Corinth, and C. L. Walker, of Waynesboro, Tenn. Lieut Turner is an aviator of exceptional experience, having flown almost continuously since the war period and having covered a large portion of the United States in his trips. The Florence Times, Florence, AL, Wed., April 22, 1925: p. 6 , c. 6-7 - BIG AIR STUNTS ON NEXT SUNDAY ------ Roscoe Turner, head of the local airplane corporation, has announced a big 'air frolic' which is scheduled to take place at Ford City next Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, when the three new planes which will be used locally by the company will be christened, the names 'The Florence,' 'The Sheffield' and 'The Tuscumbia,' being chosen for the new ships. Stunt performances will be done by Art Starnes in addition to those by Mr. Turner; Starnes doing a parachute jump from a plane piloted by Turner. The new seven passenger plane purchased by the company will be on exhibition. It is the largest plane in this part of the country, and is equipped with a twelve cylinder, five hundred horse power motor. The Tuscumbia Times, Vol. 1 No. 36, Friday, April 24, 1925: p. 1, c. 2 - AVIATION MEET AND AIR FROLIC ---------- Roscoe Turner and his coterie of fliers will stage an air frolic at Ford City Sunday afternoon, April 26th. Art Starnes the "stunt man" promises to pull a couple of real thrillers for the spectators, one of which will be a parachute drop from a speeding plane. Other stunts will be pulled by Roscoe Turner and his pilots which will no doubt be most interesting. Those in charge of the meet say that plenty of parking space will be provided for cars and that an extraordinary large crowd can be handled. The show is under the auspices of the Sheffield "S" Club and for the benefit of the club athletic fund. With three planes taking part in the frolic a big day is assured for spectators. The Florence Times, Florence, AL, Mon., April 27, 1925: p. 3 , c. 6 - AIR FROLIC IS HUGE SUCCESS ----- Many Hundreds Gather at Ford City for Flying Stunts ----- The Air Frolic, which was put on yesterday afternoon at Ford City under the direction of Roscoe E. Turner, nationally known aviator, proved to be a decided success, although the rain delayed the program and threatened to make the performance impossible. Immediately after the rain, however, Mr. Turner announced the weather was ideal for flying and the program commenced, many of those who left earlier in the afternoon returning to witness the hair-raising stunts, and others to take a flight in the big seven passenger plane, which has been placed in regular passenger service. The airplane stunts were the most thrilling ever witnessed here. The daring aviator walked the wings of the plane as it was ploughing through the air at a rate of ninety miles an hour, leaped from the plane on a rope ladder and after performing many acrobatic stunts that almost took the breath of the spectators, made a beautiful parachute leap while the plane was at an elevation of more than 4,000 feet. So perfect was the leap planned that he landed inside the flying field near the area for spectators. Mr. Turner piloted the big seven passenger plane, and in the course of the afternoon carried about two score of residents of the Tri-Cities for a flight in the clouds. Included in the number were Judge N. P. Thompkins, of Tuscumbia, Mr. E. C Carter, of Sheffield, Mr. Justin E. Leonard and Mr. J. T. Evans, of Florence, and many others. A group of high school boys of Sheffield assisted Mr. Turner in policing the grounds and making collection of admission charges, a part of which was turned over the "S" club. Quite a number of the boys accepted Mr. Turner's invitation to take a flight. There are now four planes in service, being operated by Mr. Turner and his associates. The seven passenger machine is one of the largest in the south and considered almost perfect in performance. There has been an aviation school established and a number of students are being taught the art of flying under the capable direction of Mr. Turner. The Florence Times, Florence, AL, Fri., May 1, 1925: p. 2 , c. 7-8 - [ADVERTISEMENT] FREE PARACHUTE JUMP =================== GUSMUS FIELD Sunday Afternoon Between 3 & 5 O'clock A. H. Starnes, stunt man with the Roscoe Turner Flying Circus, will give a free parachute jump Sunday afternoon and the people of the Tri-Cities are cordially invited to come out and witness this event. Mr. Starnes will leap from a plane at an altitude of approximately a half mile. If you have never seen a parachute jump don't miss this opportunity. The Weekly Corinthian, Vol. XXX, #19, Thurs, May 7, 1925: p. 3 , c. 4 - CORINTH GIRL IS WEDDED WEDNESDAY AT TUSCUMBIA, ALA. Mr. and Mrs. W.S. Hamilton announce the marriage of their daughter Charley, to A.A.Starnes of this city, on Wednesday evening, April 29, at 8 o'clock at the home of her sister Mrs. John B. Pounds at Tuscumbia, Ala. Mrs. Starnes is one of the most attractive girls of Corinth, and her host of friends will be interested in her marriage. The groom is connected with Roscoe Turner, the aviator, as stunt flyer, and has made his home in Corinth for some time. After a few days the young couple will be at home to their friends at the home of the bride's parents on Childs street. Rev. J.A. Morris of Tuscumbia, pronounced the ceremony. [NOTE: Roscoe's brother, William (Bill) Turner, remembers Art Starnes' wife as "one of the most beautiful girls" he could ever remember. mls 11/24/1993 ] The Florence Times, Florence, AL, Thurs., May 11, 1925: p. 1 , c. - TURNER STUNG FOR LICENSES -- Local Aviator Made to Pay for Show Held at Lawrenceburg -- Roscoe T. Turner, Colbert county aviator, who operates an aviation field and school on instruction at Ford City, was presented with a warrant for his arrest when he landed in Lawrenceburg, Tenn., Saturday, to put on an exhibition flight and fill an appointment with citizens of that city for a sight-seeing flight, the sheriff charging that he was violating the laws of Lawrence county and the State of Tennessee for Operating an airplane without license. Mr. Turner was told by the Sheriff that he would be required to pay license in each county in Tennessee in which he operated, the state license being $25 and the county license $25, or [a] total of $4,750, for the 95 counties in the state, providing he wanted to operate throughout the state. He doubts the accuracy of the information given him by the Lawrence county official and does not believe it is the policy of the State of Tennessee to hamper aviation in any such manner. In the State of Alabama no license or tax is imposed upon operators of airplanes, the state offering every inducement for the development of the industry here. Even the gasoline tax of 2 cents per gallon is refunded because of the fact that airplanes use none of the state or county highways, says Mr. Turner. Mr. Turner began his operations in the Muscle Shoals district last year with only one small airplane. His company has developed until now he is operating four machines including a seven-passenger plane, one of the largest in the south. He states that he is not in the business to make every dollar possible out of it, but because he believes he is offering the people new, convenient and safe means of travel and an opportunity for pleasure and adventure never before available here. There are several citizens of the Tri-Cities who are taking lessons in the art of flying under Mr. Turner's instructions. He takes aviation seriously and believes he is performing a patriotic service to the country in teaching men to operate airplanes as they will be prepared in case of war or the development of commercial aviation both of which be believed are future certainties. The Weekly Corinthian, Vol. XXX #21 , Thurs., May 21, 1925: p. 7, c. 4 - ...Mr. and Mrs. A.H.Starnes are at home from Sheffield, Ala., having come over by airplane Thursday afternoon. They will remain here a few days visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.S. Hamilton. They will go from here by airplane to Borden, Ind., for a visit with his parents.... The Weekly Corinthian, Vol. XXX #21, Thurs., May 21, 1925: p. 3, c. 6 - TURNER WILL GO TO NEW YORK FOR A CONFERENCE From Friday's Daily. Roscoe Turner who has been at Sheffield the past several days on business returned Tuesday afternoon. He is leaving today for Savannah and Mt. Pleasant, Tenn. From the latter place he will go to Sheffield, and from there he will depart Sunday night for New York. The trip to New York is for the purpose of a conference with a number of interested parties with reference to establishing some lines from the east to the South. Mr. Turner has secured the open field belonging to Joe Coleman near the Gulf Highway to the south of the city for a landing field, and will return the big ship from Sheffield here at an early date. The New York Times, Thursday, May 21, 1925: p. 5, c. 2 - TESTS HIS METAL PLANE ------- Sikorsky Pilots Craft With 11 Passengers Over the City. The new Sikorsky giant all-metal transport airplane made a successful trial flight yesterday afternoon from Roosevelt Field, Westbury, L.I., in which the plane's inventor, Igor I. Sikorsky, piloted eleven passengers through the air for fifty miles. The airplane, keeping an altitude of more than 3,000 feet, crossed the East River near Manhattan Bridge, flew over the downtown section of the city and then traveled up to 125th Street before returning to the field. The flight was made in thirty minutes, an average speed of 100 miles per hour. Another test of the plane will be made today by a pilot of the Engineering Division of the Army Air Service. The Weekly Corinthian, Vol. XXX #22, Thurs., May 28, 1925: p. 1, c. 4 - CONSIDERATION FOR AIR ROUTE FROM NEW YORK ------------------- Roscoe Turner, the aviator, is at home after a trip to New York where he went several days ago for a conference with capitalists interested in the establishment of an air line from New York city to New Orleans. He states there is a strong probability that there will be an organization of a company effected within the near future and that big passenger ships will be put into commission. His conferees are the owners of the largest passenger aircraft in existence and contemplate the construction of others of similar operating capacity. This ship will carry fourteen passengers. Mr. Turner is getting the landing field south of town in readiness for the return of the big 3-passenger plane here. The Lexington Herald, Lexington, KY, Mon., June 1, 1925: p. 1, c. 8 - SESQUI-CENTENNIAL OF CITY TO GET UNDER WAY TODAY; FLYING CIRCUS HAS ARRIVED ---------- AVIATORS WILL STAGE FEATURES OF CELEBRATION ------- Passenger Trips to Be Made by Planes During Week- Head- quarters on Leestown Pike __________ NIGHT-FLYING FIREWORKS AMONG STUNTS PLANNED ---------- Will Drop Flowers on Graves During Exercises Wednes- day Morning ------------ The Roscoe Turner Flying Circus, of Sheffield, Ala., arrived yesterday at noon, after a brief stop at Bowman field in Louisville, and went direct to "Meadowthorpe Air Field" on Dr. Samuel H. Halley's farm, located a mile and a half west of the city on the Leestown pike. Hundreds of visitors went out to the field yesterday afternoon and watched the aviators getting their ships ready for daily flights during sesqui-centennial week. Lieut. Jesse O. Creech, local pilot and Kentucky's only ace in the World War, had marked the field with a "T" and a wind-direction flag, and was on the field with a reception committee, composed of Dr. Halley, Col. James Maret, Henry Reynolds and C. Frank Dunn. The flagship, "The City of Sheffield," a former French bombing plane converted into a six-passenger commercial flyer, was the center of attraction. Pilots Roscoe Turner and Robert Radell, with a full crew of mechanics, are in charge of the ships and will make the flights during the week. Arrangements to handle the crowds who will visit the field each day were made by Dr. Halley immediately upon the arrival of the flyers. A sign marking the automobile road into the farm will be erected this morning and entrances both from the farm road and the Leestown Pile will be opened to the field. The aviation company will stage three big features of sesqui-centennial week-- the night-flying fireworks exhibition over the entire city Wednesday and Saturday nights and the daylight exhibition Thursday afternoon at 2:30, when an airship will fall in flames for one mile over the University of Kentucky stadium, as the introduction to the opening performance of the pageant. Aviator William Vanarsdall of Harrodsburg, flew over to the Halley field yesterday afternoon to meet the visiting pilots. Mr. Vandarsdall, assisted by Lieutenant Creech, showered the Blue Grass region with sesqui-centennial literature and pageant passes Thursday, Friday and Saturday of last week. Wednesday morning at 11 o'clock, the Roscoe Turner pilots and Aviator Vanarsdall will fly in formation over the cemetery and drop flowers on the graves of Confederate and Union soldiers while the Confederate exercises are being held. The Florence Times, Florence, AL, Thurs., June 2, 1925: p. 6 , c. - ROSCOE TURNER IS CENTENNIAL FLYER A telegram received by The Times from Roscoe Turner, Muscle Shoals district aviator, announces his arrival at Lexington, Kentucky, where he and his associates will be the official flyers for the centenial [sic] observance there. They will make two night flights and one day flight, with fancy stunts. Robert Radell is piloting his standard machine in the flights, and Turner is flying a Breguet. George Mode and Noland Brewer, of Sheffield, are assisting them as mechanicans [sic]." The Weekly Corinthian, Vol. XXX #23, Thurs., June 4, 1925: p. 7, c. 7 - Roscoe Turner has closed a contract with the Centennial Committee at Lexington, Key. for a week's flying and two nights flying. The contract begins on Monday and Mr. Turner is leaving Sheffield, Ala., Saturday for Louisville. Hence he will not be here at the end of the week. The Lexington Herald, Lexington, KY, Fri., June 5, 1925: p. 8, c. 3-4 - "BUGS" FISHER SWIPES RIDE AND AIRPLANE STRIKES FENCE, THROWING HIM THROUGH WING OF PLANE UNHURT ----------------- Lieut. "Bugs" Fisher, daredevil of the flying circus here for the sesqui-centennial, received an unexpected thrill yesterday afternoon. The daredevil and Pilot Roscoe Turner had just returned to the Halley flying field from a flight and Pilot Turner was preparing to take a spin with Robert Radel, when "Bugs" hid himself in the undercarriage of the plane. Not knowing that Fisher was hidden in the landing apparatus, Radell started the plane. When just in the act of leaving the ground, the ship struck a fence at one side of the lot, owing to the weight of the third occupant. The impact projected "Bugs" through the wing, uninjured. He cooly informed his partner that "I am here Roscoe." The flight with Mr. Radell was abandoned, due to the injured condition of the plane. During the progress of the pageant at Stoll Field circling about the stadium earlier in the afternoon until he had attained an altitude of about 2,000 feet, Turner brought his plane into position so that Fisher could drop with his parachute. He left the plane without mishap and his chute opened up immediately, allowing him to make a graceful landing within a few yards of the stadium. Turner then ascended to about 5,000 feet, where he ignited two smoke boxes and did a spiral nosedive of about 3,000 feet directly over the stadium. Turner announced yesterday that Sunday afternoon he will give a free performance at the flying field on the Leestown pike in which a plane walker, who is joing the circus, will give his first exhibition. The daredevil will do a number of stunts on the wings of Turner's plane. The aviator also plans to give an elaborate display of fireworks on Saturday night. The Lexington Herald, Lexington, KY, Sun., June 7, 1925: p. 8, c. 7 - CELEBRATION OF CITY'S ANNIVERSARY CLOSES (Continued from Page One) -- Fireworks Spectacle [sic, spectacle] Seen -- As the final number of the sesquicentennial program, the greatest fireworks spectacle ever given from an airplane at night in Lexington was given last night between 10 and 11 o'clock by Roscoe Turner's flying circus. Despite a drizzle that continued all afternoon and during the early part of the night, Turner kept his promise of giving the fireworks display. When the rain abated he took the air with his plane, a large French bomber, decked with white lights on the extremes of the planes and red lights reaching across the span of the wings. Turner threw out several other bombs in his trips over the city. The red lights burned out and then two extremely bright lights, one on each wing, enveloped the ship in white. Continuing its flight, the plane suddenly issued red flames and then all lights and the airplane disappeared. Turner disappeared in the west as he returned to his landing place at Halley field. Turner will remain in Lexington for several more days until his lighter airplane is repaired, it having been wrecked several days ago. The Florence Times, Florence, AL, June 11, 1925: p. 6 , c. - Roscoe Turner, head of the Muscle Shoals flying enterprises, who has been putting on features at the Lexington, Kentucky, Sesqui-centennial, arrived in the district today about noon, having flown from Louisville in three hours and ten minutes in the big Breguet plane. He was accompanied by his new stunt flyer, Lieutenant J. W. "Bugs" Fisher, who will make a parachute jump at Gusmus field Sunday afternoon. His associates left Louisville in the standard plane expecting to arrive during the afternoon. The Weekly Corinthian, Vol. XXX #25, Thurs., June 18, 1925: p. 5, c. 3 - A TALK WITH A CORINTH MAN --- Mr. Hamilton Tells Something of Interest to Corinth Folks. There's nothing more convincing than the statement of someone you know and have confidence in. That's why this talk with Mr. Hamilton of Madison street, should be mighty helpful here in Corinth. W.S. Hamilton, broom manufacturer, 213 Madison St., Corinth, says: "I was down in my back so bad I could hardly turn in bed. My kidneys acted too freely and I had to get up during the night to pass the secretions. I had dizzy spells and felt tired and nervous. Doan's Pills cured me." The above statement was given June 26, 1918, and on February 7, 1922 Mr. Hamilton added: "I haven't had any kidney trouble since Doan's cured me." 60c, at all dealers. Foster-Milburn Co., Mfrs., Buffalo, N.Y. [Note: W.S.Hamilton was the father-in-law of Art Starnes ] The Sheffield Standard, Vol. XXXII No. 49, Friday, June 19, 1925: p. 1, c. 6 - MOTOR BOAT COMPANY ARRANGES BIG SHOW ---------- Spectators who have been interested in the surf boarding on Lake Wilson arranged for their entertainment by the Parrish Taxi & Motor Boat Co., at Philand Park from which point the "Evelyn Winnifred" makes her daily jaunts, are in for a real thrill in the next attraction offered. The company announces that on next Sunday at three o'clock there will be an exhibition of a straight dive from a speeding airplane into the water of the great lake. The performer of this daring stunt is Lieut. "Bugs" Fisher, formerly with the French army, who is said to be one of the most expert actors from the airplane in the world. Preceeding the dive, Capt. Roscoe Turner will give a daylight fireworks display over the lake and will stage a race with his plane against a fast motor boat. The Florence Times, Florence, AL, Sat., June 20, 1925: p. 1 - TURNER SETS HIGH RECORD IN FLIGHT Residents of the Tri-Cities witnessed the smashing of an altitude record here yesterday afternoon at 6:30 o'clock when Roscoe E. Turner flew more than 10,000 feet in to the sky. It was the highest altitude ever attained by an aviator in the state of Alabama and equally by few in the Southern states. At a distance of almost two miles from the earth Turner's airplane appeared about the size of a small bird. The flight attracted the attention of a large number of people in all parts of the district. The Florence Times, Florence, AL, Monday, June 22, 1925: p. 1 - FROM PLANE TO WATER OF LAKE ------------- Daring Dive Made Yesterday. Entire Family has Flight ------------- A huge crowd, estimated at several thousand, gathered yesterday afternoon at Gusmus field and at Philand Park to witness the aeroplane stunts staged by Roscoe Turner's flying circus, including the dive into Lake Wilson from an airplane by Lieut. 'Bugs' Fisher, the latest addition to the local group of aviators. In addition to the thrills afforded by the stunt flyers, a number of people went in the planes, Roscoe Turner, for the first time, carrying up all the members of one family, when Mr. and Mrs. C. V. Eastep and their three children were passengers in the big seven passenger plane. The stunts included aerial fireworks displays and many difficult feats, the climax being capped when Fisher plunged from a rope by which he was swinging beneath the plane into the waters of Lake Wilson to be picked up by a motor boat. People from a wide range of territory attended the exhibitions, and it was estimated by Florence people that one thousand automobiles were parked at Gusmus field. The Weekly Corinthian, Vol. XXX #26, Thurs., June 25, 1925: p. 5, c. 3 - Local and Personal. ...Roscoe Turner arrived home Monday night from Memphis where he arranged to put on a flying circus for the Fourth of July. But recently Lieut. Turner was engaged in a program of a week of, a similar nature at Lexington, Ky.... The Florence Times, Florence, AL, June 26, 1925: p. 1 - TURNER ENTERTAINS PEOPLE IN PADUCAH ------------- Roscoe Turner and his airplane artists are in Paducah, Ky., today where they will stage airplane flights tonight with fireworks for the occasion of the centennial celebration there. The party made the flight to Paducah yesterday in three hours and thirty minutes. They will return home tomorrow, for passenger flights on Sunday at Gusmus Field. On July Fourth and Fifth airplane stunts will be given at Philand Park, which will include a change from a motor boat to an airplane by Lieut. 'Bugs' Fisher.
Abstracts (c) Copyright 1993 Stephanie L. Sandy
Data transcription by: Milton Sandy, Jr. Corinth, MS - April 20, 1993