The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette, Fort Wayne, IN, Thur., February 27, 1919:
p. 1, c. 7-8 -
FT. WAYNE HONORS TO-DAY
INDIANA'S PREMIER ACE
------
Lieut. Paul F. Baer, Victor of Many Air
Battles, Reaches Native City Accompanied
by Lieut. Runser, of Detroit; Praises the
Yankee Doughboy; Modest as to Himself.
------
RECEPTION THIS AFTERNOON
------
LIEUT. PAUL F. BAER, Indiana's premier ace, and Fort Wayne's greatest
outstanding figure in the world war, came home last night. He arrived
over the Wabash from Detroit, Mich., reaching here at 8:50 o'clock,
accompanied by his chum and comrade, Lieut. Harry Runser, whose guest he
was at the latter's home, 30 Van Alstyne avenue in the Queen City of the
Straits. Lieut. Baer made the trip west from New York via Detroit in
order to avail himself of the company of his friend, who had promised to
make the journey to Fort Wayne with him. The two young officers are
devoted to each other in a sort of David and Jonathon relationship, and
Lieut. Runser will be the guest of Lieut. Baer's mother, Mrs. Emma Dyer,
while he is in the city....
...He was born in this city in 1893 and attended the Clay,
Jefferson and Nebraska schools.... When 18 years old he left this city
and went to work in an automobile factory at Detroit, Mich.... [1911]
The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette, Fort Wayne, IN, Fri., February 28, 1919:
p. 1, c. 6 -
GAVE GLAD HAND
TO LIEUT. BAER
------
Reception Yesterday After-
noon Was Notable Affair;
Makes Brief Address.
--------
ENTERTAINED BY ROTARY
--------
Tells of Trip to Italy and of
His Experiences in German
Prison Camps.
--------
Fort Wayne yesterday afternoon extended the glad hand to
Lieutenant Paul F. Baer, Indiana's premier ace in the form of a public
reception, given at the chamber of commerce under the auspices of the
Fort Wayne Rotary club. Lieutenant Baer declared, after the informal
function was finished, that he had enjoyed the occasion, but those
nearest to his heart are of the opinion that the occasion was more
difficult for him than fighting German air raiders, as the young aviator
shrinks from all manner of display and has requested as little public
attention as possible during his stay in the city with his mother, Mrs.
Emma Dyer.
At noon, Lieut. Baer, his mother, Mrs. Dyer; his sister, Mrs.
Armstrong; Lieutenant Harry Runser, Mrs. Runser, mother of Lieutenant
Runser, and Mrs. J.F. Smith, mother of Aviator Art Smith, as well as the
members of the county council of defense, were the guests of the Rotary
club at a special luncheon at the chamber of commerce....
Unknown Fort Wayne Newspaper probably Journal-Gazette, ? Date Unknown
Approx. April 15, 1919:
p. , c. - (From Harry Runser's scrapbook)
AIRSHIP SERVICE
FOR FORT WAYNE
--------
Lieut. H.J. Runser to Estab-
lish Passenger and Com-
mercial Line.
----------
FLIES HERE THIS WEEK
----------
That Fort Wayne will soon be the center of a passenger and
commercial airplane service, which will cover Indiana and surrounding
states, is assured today by a message from Lieut. Harry J. Runser who has
just purchased the first plane for the service and will fly it through
from Toronto, arriving here some time this week. The plane was purchased
from the Canadian Royal Air forces, after attempts had been made to
secure one from the United States war department.
Lieut. Runser will stage an exhibition flight here about May 1,
which he guarantees will be the most spectacular ever given here, or
anywhere outside the war zone. Arrangements for the exhibition are now
being made and will be completed within a few days after the arrival of
Lieut. Runser.
It is now planned to do passenger and commercial flying.
Passengers will be taken to a height of several thousand feet and given a
view of three states, a little trip which will set them back only about
$10 each. Commercial flying will include advertising by means of
distributing circulars, cities being bombed with posters and bills,
dropped from the fast flying airplane.
Lieut. Runser is known in Fort Wayne. He is a pal of Lieut. Paul
Baer and was here when the local air hero visited this city recently.
Lieut. Baer will take up flying in the east but Lieut. Runser decided
upon Fort Wayne as the city to make his headquarters. Here he will
develop the business of commercial flying and expects to make Fort Wayne
the center of the project in the middle west. He is a flyer of ability
and was recently offered a contract to fly all summer at Brighton Beach,
N.Y., but declined it to come here. While here he will do considerable
flying on contract in surrounding cities.
The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette, Fort Wayne, IN, Tues., April 15, 1919:
p. 7, c. 1 -
CITY TO BE CENTER
OF AEROPLANE ROUTE
--------
Commercial and Passenger
Line Will Be Established
By Lieut. Runser.
---------
Lieut. Henry J. Runser, known in Fort Wayne, and a pal of Lieut.
Paul Baer, has purchased the first plane for a passenger and commercial
airplane service which will cover Indiana with Fort Wayne as a center,
according to a message received from Runser yesterday. The aviator
expects to fly the new plane from Toronto, arriving here sometime this
week. Lieut. Runser expects to stage an exhibition flight here about May
1.
It is said the commercial serice plans to take passengers to a
height of several thousand feet where they can be given a view of three
states and that about ten dollars will be charged each passenger for this
trip. Commercial flying will also be used for advertising purposes.
The Fort Wayne News and Sentinel, Fort Wayne, IN, Mon., April 21, 1919:
p. 2, c. 3 -
LIUT. RUNSER COMING SOON
-------
War Pilot Will Probably Ar-
rive This Week.
---------------
"Wet weather has made it impossible for me to start, but if there
is no more rain between Fort Wayne and Toronto, I will proably get
under way by Tuesday or Wednesday. The weather is alright now, but the
fields have been too wet for landing."
This message from Lieut. Harry J. Runser, was received in Fort
Wayne this morning and brings the assurance that the aviator will arrive
in the city this week.
Lieut. Runser is to establish an aerial passenger and commercial
line radiating from Fort Wayne and expects to get his first palne which
he will fly from Toronto, in service within a few weeks. A feature of
the service will be commercial flying and "bombing" of cities with bills
and circulars for business houses. Lieut. Runser will also give
exhibition flights in many cities, for which he has already contracted.
Defiance Crescent News, Defiance, OH, Wed., April 23, 1919:
p. 2, c. 5 -
AIRPLANE HITS
NORTH SIDE BARN
AVIATOR HURT
---------------
Lieut. Harry J. Runser and wife, the former recently discharged
from the United States Aviation service, who were driving from Toronto,
Canada, to their home at Fort Wayne in a Curtis plane, narrowly escaped
death Tuesday afternoon at shortly after 5 o'clock when the machine
plunged into the side of a barn on the George Wilson farm near the
Brunersburg road, just on the outskirts of North Defiance.
Runser was a member of the American Expeditionary Force and
landed in Canada when he was sent back to the United States. Upon his
discharge he purchased a Canadian army machine at Toronto, with which he
expected to give exhibition flights during the summer. They were but
recently married and Lieut. and Mrs. Runser anticipated flying to his
home at Ft. Wayne and giving an exhibition in his home city today.
They left Toronto in the plane early Tuesday afternoon. Good
progress was made until they reached Defiance when it was discovered that
the gasoline was running low and they came down to secure a new supply.
Expecting no trouble and being successful in bringing the machine
within a few feet of the ground, Lieut. Runser was taken by surprise when
without a moment's warning the machine escaped his control and plunged
into the side of an old barn. The timber in the old unoccupied barn was
rotten and one wing of the plane tore a big gap in the wood and upset the
machine.
Walter Campbell and party of the Smith & Patten Motor Sales Co.,
saw the plane in the sky and noticed that it was going to come down. He
asserdingly followed it and arrived almost when it alighted. Neighbors
picked up Lt. and Mrs. Runser and they were placed in the Campbell car
and rushed to the office of Dr. C.W.Zeller, while other parties pulled
the wrecked plane from the barn so that there would be no danger of fire.
A guard was placed over the machine by the sheriff and this morning E.
M. Terry of the Commerce Club staked the plane out.
It was at first thought that Lieut. Runser has suffered two
broken ribs on the left side but he is only badly bruised. His wife was
not injured in the least. His wife's folks live at Danville, Ill.
The plane is so badly damaged that it will have to be torn down
completely and sent to the factory to be rebuilt.
The Fort Wayne News and Sentinel, Fort Wayne, IN, Wed., April 23, 1919:
p. 1, c. 7 -
AIRPLANE PLUNGES INTO
BARN NEAR DEFIANCE, O.
------------
Lieut. Harry Runser Painfully
Hurt, But His Wife Es-
capes Uninjured.
----------------
FLYING TO FORT WAYNE
----------
Lieutenant Harry J. Runser was painfully bruised and his wife
miraculously escaped injury when the Curtiss airplane in which they were
flying from Toronto, Canada, to Fort Wayne, plunged into the side of a
barn on the farm of George Wilson, north of Defiance, O., late yesterday
afternoon. One side of the machine was damaged, and will have to be sent
to the factory for repairs. However, Lieutenant Runser expects to have
the machine ready for service again within a few weeks.
Lieutenant Runser was recently discharged from the aviation
service of the United States army and had contemplated taking up
commercial flying with Fort Wayne as his headquarters. Soon after his
discharge, he and Mrs. Runser went to Toronto, where a Curtiss plane was
purchased and yesterday morning they left Toronto expecting to fly
through to this city. Spendid progress was being made until within a few
miles of Defiance it was discovered they were running low on gasoline.
Runser decided to make a landing and was succeeding nicely when within a
few feet of the ground he in some manner lost control and plunged into
the side of the Wilson barn. The side of the barn was damaged, as well as
one side of the airplane.
At first it was feared that Runser was seriously hurt. He was
rushed to the office of Dr. C.W.Zellers, in Defiance, where it was found
that his injuries were not of a serious nature.
Lieutenant Runser expects to send his airplane to the factory at
once and he and Mrs. Runser will come on to this city.
PROBABLY FIRST ACCIDENT.
Shortly before he left Fort Wayne to go to Toronto to get his
plane, Lieutenant Runser stated that he had been remarkably free from
accidents during his experience in flying.
"I have been up in the air two hundred and fifty times," said he,
"and never have I had a dollar's worth of repairs for any palne I have
used. Most of the accidents are caused by the fliers by staying too
close to the earth. There is actually no danger if you are high enough
to take care of yourself."
The accident of yesterday was evidently due to the fact that the
mishap occurred when Runser was too close to the earth to make a safe
landing.
Danville Commercial News, Danville, IL, Weds., April 23, 1919:
p. , c. -
AIRPLANE CRASHES
BUT NO ONE HURT
--------
Lieut. H.J. Runser Has Mis-
Hap In A Return Trip
From Toronto.
---------
A message received Wednesday morning by The Commercial-News from
Lieut. and Mrs. Harry J. Runser at Defiance, O., stated that their
airplane had crashed to the earth, but that no one was injured. Lieut.
and Mrs. Runser are both well known in this city. Mrs. Runser formerly
being Miss Hilda Webb, daughter of Dr. W.J.Webb, 306 West North Street.
They at present live in Ft. Wayne, Ind.
The last news heard from Lieut. Runser by his father-in-law, was
that he was going to Toronto, Canada, to purchase a plane of his own in
which he expected to make exhibition flights. It is supposed that he was
returning from this trip when the plane crashed, as Defiance is in direct
route between Ft. Wayne and Toronto.
Lieut. Runser served in the aviation service during the war,
being first stationed at Austin, Texas, then at Rantoul, where he
received his commission. He then was stationed at Dayton, O., and later
at West Point, N.Y.
Danville Commercial News, Danville, IL, Thur., April 24, 1919:
p. , c. -
LIEUT. RUNSER - HAS
THREE BROKEN RIBS
----------
Writen Father-in-Law, Dr. W.J.
Webb, Telling of Crash to
the Earth.
-----------
Lieut. Harry J. Runser, son-in-law of Dr. W.J.Webb, 306 West
North street, has written his father-in-law, telling of an accident at
Defiance, O., of which mention was made in The Commercial News of
Wednesday.
Runser was volplaning down for gas. He was sailing smoothly,
when a gust of wind turned his plane partially over, throwing him to the
ground. The plane was crushed, three ribs of the operator broken, but
the motor not damaged. He writes that he will get a new plane, fit the
old motor and continue making exhibition flights. He was boosting the
Victory Loan when he fell and was injured.
The Fort Wayne News and Sentinel, Fort Wayne, IN, Sat., April 26, 1919:
p. 2, c. 3 -
RUNSER TO GET NEW PLANE
-----------
Lieutenant, Injured in Flight
Expects to Fly Soon.
---------
Lieutenant Harry J. Runser, who is confined to his home west of
the city by two broken ribs sustained in an accident while flying from
Toronto to Fort Wayne, is rapidly recovering. He is already making plans
to give exhibition flights over this city, and says that he will soon be
as well as ever.
The wreck of his airplane is still at Defiance, and it is thought
that none of the machine will be at all useful except possibly the
engine, and Lieutenant Runser has been communicating with the
manufacturers at Toronto with a view to obtaining a new plane for the
motor. He is receiving a great deal of encouragement from friends in
this city, as well as from the people of Defiance, who offered him any
help he might need.
Lieutenant Runser was the flying pardner of Lieutenant Paul Baer,
Fort Wayne's own ace, in France, and has seen hard service. He was
injured while flying to this city with his wife, his machine failing to
clear a barn and crashing into it. Mrs. Runser was uninjured.
Defiance Democrat, Defiance, OH, Thur., May 1, 1919:
p. 5, c. 7 -
LIEUT. RUNSER TO
BUY A NEW PLANE
--------
The following is from the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette:
"Lieutenant Harry J. Runser who suffered an accident which
demolished his aeroplane while on a trip from Toronto to Ft. Wayne, and
gave him two fractured ribs, while his wife escaped injury, is already
making new plans to open his exhibition flights in Ft.Wayne. Lieut.
Runser is at his home in this city, and says that even with his injuries,
he feels well enought to take a flight at once if he had an available
flying machine.
It is probable that nothing but the engine of the plane, which is
still at Defiance, where the accident occurred can be saved. Runser has
been in communication with the makers of the fliers at Toronto, and
believes he can secure another machine, without an engine, at a very
reasonable cost. His friends in Ft. Wayne encourage him to proceed along
this line of planning. The people at Defiance also gave him the most
substantial encouragement of help if he needed it and their kind words
have helped a lot to make the local end of the project look decidedly
hopeful.
The Fort Wayne News and Sentinel, Fort Wayne, IN, Wed., May 7, 1919:
S. 2, p. 1, c. 1 -
WILL REPRODUCE FIGHT
6,000 FEET IN THE AIR
------------
Lieutenant Runser, Avia-
tor, Recovers From the
Effects of Accident
------------
TELLS OF HIS THRILLER
------------
Lieutenant Harry J. Runser, who, while on his way from Toronto to
Fort Wayne in an aeroplane, bumped into a barn near Defiance and received
injuries which kept him confined for a while at home, is now out again
and evidently more full of "pep" than ever.
"You can't become an 'ace' by quitting," said Runser this
morning, as he smiled broadly when recounting his mishap, "and you may
well believe that it will take more than broken ribs and obstructing hay
barns to keep me out of the air. People make such a fuss about an
aeroplane accident that you might think the life of the flier is in
greater danger than that of other people, but, as a matter of statistics,
it is shown that there are more deaths from automobile accidents than
from aeroplane flights, considering the conditions. Aviation is as safe
as any other mode of travel today.
"You may be interested in knowing that Mrs. Runser, who was with
me in the ship when the accident occurred, has insisted on being my first
passenger in the new plane which is on the way from Toronto.
I expect to be ready to fill my flying engagements by the 20th of
May.
Describing the stunt which he is preparing to perform as a
thriller for his spectators, Lieutenant Runser says:
"My original exhibition- coming down in flames from 6,000 feet,
falling out of control for one mile, will, I believe, be the most
spectacular daylight attraction in aviation. The ship will be bombarded
by smoke bombs at 6,000 feet, giving a realistic imitation of an air raid
with attacks from the defenders. In the midst of the battle, just as the
ship is evidently struck by one of the bombs, a man will leap from the
ship as it bursts into flames. He will descend in a prachute, while the
aeroplane falls in every conceivable manner, spinning, looping, diving,
side-slipping and 'falling leaf' effect, leaving a trail of smoke for a
mile. When the plane comes close to the earth, control will be regained,
and the people will have witnessed a reproduction of real war scene as
enacted in reality countless times in the war zone. People nowadays want
the sensational, and I am doing my best to make my act "the master
attraction of the air."
PICTURE: [Serious looking aviator in leather cap and goggles, captioned
Lieut. Harry J. Runser]
Danville Commercial News, Danville, IL, Wed., May 7, 1919:
p. , c. -
RUNSER WHO STRUCK
BARN TO FLY AGAIN
---------
Aviator, Who Married Dan-
ville Girl, Recovers
From His Injuries
----------
Lieut. Harry J. Runser, the son-in-law of Dr. W.J.Webb of West
North street, Danville, and well known as an aviator, is going to try it
again. His last flight at Defiance, several weeks ago, when he took Mrs.
Runser up with him and hit a barn, breaking several of his ribs, has not
stopped his enthusiasm. Mrs. Runser is equally determined to attempt
another flight. A dispatch from Fort Wayne says:
"Lieut. Harry J. Runser, who while on his way from Toronto to Ft.
Wayne in an airplane, bumped into a barn near Defiance, Ohio, and
received injuries which kept him in bed for awhile at his home here, is
out again.
"You can't become an ace by quitting," said Runser, as he smiled
broadly in recounting his mishap, "and you may well believe that it will
take more than broken ribs and obstructing hay barns to keep me out of
the air. People make such a fuss about an airplane accident that you
might think the life of the flyer is in greater danger than that of other
people, but, as a matter of statistics, it is shown that there are more
deaths from automobile accidents than from airplane flights, considering
the conditions.
"You may be interested in knowing that Mrs. Runser, who was with
me in the ship when the accident occurred, has insisted on being my first
passenger in the new plane which is on the way from Toronto. I expect to
be ready to fill my flying engagements by May 20.
"My original exhibition - coming down in flames from 5,000 feet,
falling out of control for one mile, will, I believe, be the most
spectacular daylight attraction in aviation."
The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette, Fort Wayne, IN, Thurs., May 8, 1919:
S2, p. 1, c. 5-6 -
TO PERFORM DARING
FEAT HIGH IN AIR
---------
Lieutenant Runser On His
Feet Again Following
Defiance Accident.
---------
Lieutenant Harry J. Runser stated yesterday that he expected to
be able to fill his flying engagements here by May 20. Lieutenant Runser
has apparently recovered from his injuries sustained a few weeks ago when
in a flight from Toronto to Fort Wayne he bumped into a barn near
Defiance.
"You may be interested in knowing," he said, "that Mrs. Runser
who was with me in the ship when the accident occurred, has insisted on
being my first passenger in the new plane which is on the way from
Toronto."
Describing the stunt which he is preparing to perform as a
thriller for his spectators, Lieutenant Runser says:
My original exhibition -- coming down in flames from 6,000 feet,
falling out of control for one mile, will, I believe, be the most
spectacular daylight attraction in aviation. The ship will be bombarded
by smoke bombs at 6,000 feet, giving a realistic imitation of an air raid
with attacks from the defenders. In the midst of the battle, just as the
ship is evidently struck by one of the bombs, a man will leap from the
ship as it bursts into flames. He will descend in a parachute, while the
aeroplane falls in every conceivable manner, spinning, looping, diving,
side-slipping and 'falling leaf' effect, leaving a trail of smoke for a
mile. When the plane comes close to the earth, control will be regained,
and the people will have witnessed a reproduction of real war scenes as
enacted in reality countless times in the war zone. People nowadays want
the sensational, and I am doing my best to make my act 'the master
attraction of the air.'"
The Fort Wayne News and Sentinel, Fort Wayne, IN, Fri., May 16, 1919:
S. 2, p. 1 , c. 1 -
RUNSER'S NEW AEROPLANE
ARRIVES IN FORT WAYNE
--------------
Plucky Aviator Now Assem-
bling It for Spectacular
"Battle in the Clouds."
------
HE MAY FLY NEXT WEEK
------
Lieutenant Harry Runser is delighted today to announce that he
received a new Curtis bi-plane of the type known as the government
military tractor, used in the training of fliers in the various aviation
camps of the United States. This ship takes the place of the one which
was demolished at Defiance, Ohio, when Lieutenant Runser and his wife
were speeding through the air from Toronto to Fort Wayne, and came into
collision with a barn.
The parts of the new aeroplane are being assembled today on the
Gouty farm on the Fort Wayne and Northern Indiana traction line near
Sprankle station and opposite the Fort Wayne Country club. Only a few
days will be required to put the plane together, and Runser states that
he will probably be ready to fly some time next week. The exact date of
the giving of his big spectacular stunts, "The Battle of the Clouds," has
not been announced, but those who have learned the details agree that it
will doubtless be the most thrilling exhibiton ever seen in America.
That a Fort Wayne boy proposes to undertake the stunt is one which brings
together the emotions of pride in his daring and the fear that he may
have chosen to do a feat which may end disastrously. Runser, however,
laughs at the fears of those who are unacquainted with the advancement
made in the matter of control of aeroplanes, and he has no doubt of his
ability to not only give the exhibition in his home city, but also to
repeat it all over the country. The feat consists of rising to a great
height and then giving an imitation of a bombardment from anti-aircraft
guns, this to be followed by the issuance of clouds of smoke as if the
ship were on fire. A man then jumps from the aeroplane and comes
floating to the earth in a parachute. Meanwhile, the aeroplane comes
tumbling toward the earth, making every manner of twist, turn and dive,
and apparently unoccupied, while leaving a trail of smoke. However,
Runser, who remains in the ship, regains control of it before it reaches
the earth and makes a safe landing.
The Fort Wayne News and Sentinel, Fort Wayne, IN, Tues., May 27, 1919:
p. 2, c. 4 -
RUNSER'S NEW AEROPLANE
-----
He'll Take Passengers Begin-
ning on Decoration Day.
-----
Lieutenant Harry J. Runser, in his new aeroplane, circled over
Fort Wayne last evening and attracted wide attention. He attempted none
of his thrillers, as he was merely trying out the machine which he
secured as a substitute for the plane which was demolished by colliding
with a barn near Defiance, O., while returning home from Toronto a few
weeks ago.
Runser stated this morning that he is getting ready to take
passengers on flights over the city beginning on Decoration day, and will
probably follow the plan each day thereafter, starting from his
headquarters on the traction line at Sprankle station.
Runser will take a flight to Kenton, O., to give an exhibition
next Sunday, June 1, will return for business on Monday. He states that
his plan to give thrilling exhibitions of an aeroplane battle a mile
above the earth has excited much interest and he will soon be able to
make definite announcements of his work in this new and startling line of
entertainment.
The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette, Fort Wayne, IN, Weds., May 28, 1919:
S.2, p. 1, c. 5-6 -
FORT WAYNE BOY TO
FLY HERE SATURDAY
---------
Lieut. Harry Runser to Give
Exhibition, Big Show to
Come Later, He Says
----------
TO TAKE UP PASSENGERS
----------
Lieutenant Harry Runser, the Fort Wayne boy, who met with a
mishap by colliding with a barn near Defiance, Ohio, while returning from
Toronto, and who has been testing out a new aeroplane during the past day
or two, announces that he will make his first real flight at home this
week, Saturday, May 31, when he will do a few stunts over the city.
However, the youthful flier is reserving for a later date his spectacular
"battle in the clouds," full announcement of which will be made in due
time.
Runser has established his headquarters at Sprankle station, on
the Fort Wayne and Northern Indiana traction line, and it is his
intention, as early as Decoration day, to "take up" passengers for
birdseye views of their home city and the surrounding territory.
Late on Saturday or early Sunday morning he will leave for an
exhibition flight at Kenton, Ohio, returning Monday.
1919 CONTINUED -- JUN - SEPT
Abstracts (c) Copyright 1993 Stephanie L. Sandy
Data transcription by: Milton Sandy, Jr. Corinth, MS - August 31, 1993