1922 Newspaper Abstracts

The State, Columbia, SC, Wed, January 25, 1922:
p. 10, c. 4 -

ROSCOE TURNER
        IN COUNTY JAIL
         ------
Government Agents Arrest
      Young Aviator.
         -------
    WELL KNOWN HERE
         -------
Warrant Charges Prisoner With
  Having Stolen Airplane in
        His Possession
          -------

        Roscoe Turner, well known in South Carolina as an aviator, was
arrested yesterday afternoon by a government agent and a city detective
on a charge of having stolen an airplane in his possession and converting
it to his own use.  Turner was located in front of an automobile wareroom
on the 1500 block of Sumter street.  He was taken to the Richland county
jail, where he will remain until federal agents decide if he is to be
tried in this state or Georgia.
        Yesterday afternoon Deputy Marshal J.W. Simmons of Charleston and
Detective Shorter of the Columbia police force went in search of Turner
carrying with them a warrant charging the young aviator with having in
his possession an airplane reported stolen from Parris Island.  Turner
was found on the 1500 block of Sumter street and although seemingly
surprised at his arrest, he offered no resistance.  He was taken to the
county jail where A.J.Wismer of the department of justice questioned him.
The airplane which is alleged to be missing from Parris Island has not
been recovered.
        Officers say the machine alleged to have been located in the
possession of Turner was valued at $6,000 and that it disappeared under
peculiar circumstances last September.  Secret service men have been
working on the case and an alleged clue picked up in Savannah is said to
have led to the arrest.
        Roscoe Turner has done considerable flying around Columbia and in
various parts of the state.  He is well known in Columbia.  Yesterday he
said he had been selling motor cars for a local firm.
        Officers are undecided if the aviator is to be tried in the
federal courts of this state or if he will be taken to Savannah but it
seems likely that he will be given a hearing in Georgia.



The News-Sentinel, Fort Wayne, IN, Thurs., Jan. 26, 1922:
Sec. 2, p. 1, c. 8 -

HIGH SKY BECKS
        FLIER IN VAIN
        -----
 Harry Runser, Well Known
Local Aviator, Arrested By
   Department of Justice
        ---------
   NAVY PLANE IS STOLEN
        --------
        The high sky, lent enchantment by innumerable cirri which hung as
high as the sun beckoned birdmen today, while Harry Runser, well-known
local aviator, lingered in a cell at the county jail.
        An agent from the United States department of justice arrested
the aviator this morning in connection with the theft of a United States
navy flying machine at Atlanta, Ga.  The agent said that Runser will be
taken to Atlanta at once.
        Aside from saying that the flier was wanted in connection with a
missing navy plane, the officer refused to discuss the case.

                DENIES GUILT.

        Runser himself is at a loss to know why he is wanted.  He denied
knowing anything about a navy machine and said that his operations in the
south were with land planes only.  He thought, however, that his former
partner might have become involved in some trouble and that he was wanted
as a witness.
        The aviator is the son of Henry Runser, a farmer living on the
Covington road.  He was in the air service during the war and afterward
started in the commercial aviation field.  Several local businessmen who
financed Runser in his private undertaking are out about $4,000 because
of his mishaps, they say.
        Ross McCulloch, vice president of the First National bank, said
today that he was one of the group of business men who bought Runser a
Canadian airplane in 1919.  They told him to have it shipped here, but
the aviator tried to fly back from Toronto with his bride of a few weeks.
In making a forced landing in Ohio, the new machine was damaged and the
repairs cost several hundred dollars.

                FLEW AWAY.

        Runser tried to make flights here, carrying passengers in the
summer of 1919, but finally decided that he could make more money in the
south.  Accordingly he flew away and was in North Carolina for a year.
He returned home in December.
        Runser said today that he knows he owes his local backers and
that he will repay them when he makes the money.  It is understood that
the business men will not take legal action to collect the money,
although they admit that Runser might have let them know his intentions
before leaving here.



The Springfield Herald, Springfield, GA, Fri, January 27, 1922:
p. 4, c. 4 -

NOTES FROM RINCON

     ...Mr. and Mrs. H.H.Bird and Miss Mildred Bird spent Saturday in
Savannah...

     [The Springfield Herald only rarely carried any news of Rincon, the
area apparently was very remote, very rural and the newspaper did not
have a regular correspondent in the area.]


The State, Columbia, SC, Sat, January 28, 1922:
p. 1, c. 5 -

RUNSER DENIES
        KNOWLEDGE OF ACT
         -------
Former Partner of Turner Also
    Taken Into Custody in
         Indiana

Special to The State.
        Fort Wayne, Ind., Jan. 27-- Harry Runser, former army aviator,
was arrested by federal department of justice agents at his home, seven
miles north of this city city, Thursday, in connection with the theft of
a naval seaplane at Savannah, Ga.  Runser denies any knowledge of the
theft, declaring that he has been devoting all his time to land craft,
having been affiliated with an air commercial enterprise.  He is being
held in the county jail.  Runser was not allowed to see newspaper men and
the officers making the arrest said that Runser was wanted in Savannah
"for investigation."  He told local police that his former partner in the
commercial flying enterprises had become involved in a seaplane theft and
that he might be wanted as a witness.
        Following his return home from the army he induced several Fort
Wayne business men to back him in organizing a flying corporation.
        At the time the seaplane is alleged to have been stolen Runser
says he was carrying passengers in and out of Savannah.
                --------------------------------
        Roscoe Turner, who was associated with Runser as a flyer in
Columbia and elsewhere in South Carolina, was arrested in Columbia
Tuesday afternoon on the same charge and is still being held in the
county jail, having been unable to give bond.


The Columbia Record, Columbia, SC, Vol. XXIV, No 230, Sat, January 28, 1922:
p. 8, c. 1-3 -

ROSCOE TURNER, AVIATOR, HELD IN
        COUNTY JAIL BUT NOT ADVISED OF
                ARREST OF HIS PARTNER, RUNSER
                --------------------
Columbia Flyer Has Informed Government
        Agents Where His Plane Can Be Found
        --Will Be Given Preliminary Feb. 14, in
        Savannah-- Bond Is Reduced
                ---------------------
        Roscoe Turner, young aviator, who is being held in the Richland
county jail on a federal charge of having an alleged stolen naval
airplane in his possession, had not been informed Saturday morning of the
arrest of Harry Runser, also an aviator, on a similar charge at Fort
Wayne, Md., as the county authorities preferred that Turner not talk of
that phase of the case for publication without permission from the
federal authorities at this time.  The prisoner is in charge of the
department of justice.
        Turner's bond has been reduced from $2,000 to $1,500.  So far no
sureties have come forward to furnish bail for the accused.  Turner will
be given a preliminary hearing before a United States commissioner,
either in Columbia or Savannah, on February 1.
        Turner is confined to a large room on the second floor of the
county jail.  The county authorities have permission from the federal
authorities to allow Turner to receive visitors.   He is not allowed to
discuss the case against him, as he is merely held by the Richland
authorities for the federal officers.  He has not seen newspapers
publishing accounts of Runser's arrest.
        Turner said that regardless of the outcome of his case he
expected to return to Columbia to resume public flying.  He made only one
brief reference to the charge against him, in discussing the case
Saturday morning.  He said he informed government agents where he had
left the craft that is figuring in the charges against him, but whether
or not the machine has been recovered he had not learned.
        According to William J. Burns, chief of the bureau of
investigation of the government, John McCoy, a gunner in the marine corps,
flew a service plane, by permission of the authorities, from Parris
Island.  He landed near Savannah, according to press accounts quoting Mr.
Burns, where he sold the plane to Turner and Runser for $600.00.  The
marine reported that the machine had been wrecked in a march near
Savannah.
        McCoy was interviewed by government authorities at a marine corps
hospital in New York, it was said, and a complete confession was obtained
from him.  Following the alleged disclosures, Turner was arrested here
and Runser in Fort Wayne, Ind.  It is probable that the trial of Turner
and Runser will be held in Savannah if they are indicted.  McCoy will be
tried by courtmartial if the the investigation develops a probable case
against him.



The Savannah Morning News, #20321, Savannah, GA, Sat, Jan. 28, 1922;
p. 1, c. 7 -

TWO TO BE TRIED FOR
        THEFT OF AIRPLANE
        ---------
John L. M'Coy Lands Near Sa-
  vannah and Sells Machine.
        ----------
    REPORTED IT WRECKED
        ----------
Ralph Turner and Harry Run-
ser to Be Tried in Savannah
        ----------
        Washington, D.C., Jan. 27.-- Behind the arrest at Columbia, S.C.,
of Ralph Turner, a former army officer, for alleged theft of an
aeroplane, is a line of charges involving John L. McCoy, a gunner in the
marine corps, recently stationed at Parris Island, and a civilian named
Harry Runser.
        The charges affecting Turner and Runser will be presented to the
federal grand jury at Savannah, where the civilian plase of the case will
be tried.
        If an indictment is returned such action as may be taken with
regard to McCoy will presumably be a court-martial at Parris Island.
        Willliam J. Burns, chief of the United States secret service, is
authority for the statement that McCoy, the marine says he was given
permission last September to take an aeroplane for a flight and that he
landed near Savannah and sold the plane to Turner and Runser, although on
returning to Parris Island he reported the plane had been wrecked.
        The government authorities were suspicious of the wreck story and
turned the matter over to the secret service who traced McCoy to the
marine hospital at New York, where, according to Chief Burns, the man
made a full confession.  Turner was later arrested at Columbia and Runser
at Fort Wayne, Ind.
        Attorney General Daugherty on receiving the report of secret
service chief ordered that the two civilian cases be handled by the
Savannah jurisdiction of the Department of Justice.


The Savannah Morning News, #20322, Savannah, GA, Sun, Jan. 29, 1922;
p. 32, c. 1 -

STORY OF "WRECKED"
        PLANE PROVES FAKE
        ---------
Runser and Turner, Former
Army Fliers, Face Charges.
        ---------
MARINE MAKES CONFESSSION
        ---------
Said to Have Admitted Ma-
chine Was Disposed of Here.
        ---------

        When Runser and Turner, aviators, former army officers, wrote
mayor Stewart last August proposing the Savannah-Buenos Aires airplane
expedition, and when they came to Savannah along about the time of the
Savannah Tri-State Exposition seeking to stage several aerial feats, and
later when they took a trip up to the postoffice building to see the
United States marshal about purchasing the old Curtiss plane at the
police station, little did they dream of the predicament which they now
confront, although if they had, it wouldn't be.
        Ralph Turner and Harry Runser have been arrested at Columbia,
S.C., and Fort Wayne, Ind., respectively, for the larceny of government
property, and probably conspiracy, and will be presented to the United
States grand jury at Savannah for indictment.
        Assistant United States District Attorney Charles D. Russell has
been working on the case for some time, and yesterday he explained the
situation, which is something like this:
        John L. McCoy, marine at Parris Island, obtained permission from
his superiors some time last September to taken an airplane for a flight.
He did.  He landed the 'plane near Savannah- the machine changed hands.
McCoy returned to Parris Island and reported that it had been wrecked.
The plane was valued at $6,000.
        Government authorities became suspicious of the wreck story and
requested the secret service department to conduct an investigation.
McCoy was traced to the Marine Hospital at New York and it was there that
William J. Burnes, chief of the U.S. Secret Service Bureau, obtained a
full confession from him.
        McCoy was arrested and will in all probability be court-martialed
at Parris Island.  The arrest of the former army officers was made
several days later.
        In the suggestion of the aviators last fall to fly to Argentine
from this city, quite a deal of interest was created as the plan was
considered a good one for international advertising of Savannah.  The
plan was turned over to the Kiwanis Club by the Mayor to obtain $6,000 to
finance the expedition.
        But the "Savannah flyers' South American aerial expedition," came
to grief, and the fair association officials turned down their
proposition to stage several stunts as "too risky" and the negotiations
for the purchase of the Curtiss 'plane fell through; and instead of the
international fame which was to have been Runser's and Turner's, they
face charges of serious infractions of government laws.


The New York Times, Sunday, January 29, 1922:
p. 14:3 -

MARINE FLIER CHARGED
        WITH SELLING PLANE
        ------------
Two Civilians, Alleged Buyers,
 Are Arrested- Court-Martial
     Likely for Gunner.
        ------------
Special to The New York Times.

        WASHINGTON, Jan. 28.- Investigation by the Department of Justice
and the Marine Corps has resulted in charges that an airplane belonging
to the corps was sold by a gunner to a former army officer and another
man. The two men in question, both civilians, have been arrested, and the
Marine Corps is conducting a further investigation into the case of the
gunner, who will probably be tried at a court-martial.
        According to details revealed by the Bureau of Investigation,
John L. McCoy, the gunner, obtained permission about Sept. 19, 1921, to
take a flight from the training station at Parris Island.  He returned to
the station a few days later with a story that the plane had been wrecked
in marshes near Savannah, Ga., and that he had abandoned it.  Suspicion
was aroused, but there was no investigation.
        Some time later the Department of Justice and the Marine Corps
began a dual inquiry, with the result that McCoy, who had left Parris
Island, was traced to the Marine Corps Hospital in New York City.  There,
according to the Bureau of Investigation, he confessed that the plane had
landed near Savannah and sold the machine to two men, Roscoe Turner and
Harry Runser.
        Acting on this information, agents from the Atlanta office of the
Department of Justice arrested Turner, a former army Lieutenant, and
recently an exhibition flyer at Columbia, S.C., and Runser, at Fort
Wayne, Ind.  The Attorney General has ordered that the Federal attorney
at Savannah take cognizance of the cases and report the findings to the
Federal Grand Jury at that city.  The Judge Advocate General's department
of the Marine Corps will handle the case of McCoy, it is said.


The State, Columbia, SC, Mon, January 30, 1922:
p. 10, c. 6 -

PRELIMINARY DATE
        SET FOR AVIATOR
        -------
Hearing for Roscoe Turner
      February 14.
        -------

        Roscoe Turner, young aviator, being held in the Richland county
jail on a charge of having had a stolen airplane in his possession, will
be given a preliminary hearing before a federal commissioner Tuesday,
February 14.  Turner has been advised that bail has been fixed at $2,000
pending the hearing.
        Harry Runser, another aviator, well known in Columbia, was
arrested at Fort Wayne, Ind., two days after Turner was placed under
arrest in Columbia.  It is said that Runser may be given a hearing before
a commissioner in Indiana and that it will not be necessary for him to be
brought to Columbia for that purpose.  Turner and Runser are being held
on similar charges.
        A.J. Wismer, federal agent, questioned Turner at the county
prison shortly after he was arrested.  At that time it was said that the
army airplane alleged to have been stolen from Parris Island last
September had not been recovered.
        Federal agents claim a soldier brought a flyer from Parris Island
to a point near Savannah where they claim he was paid $300 and promised
another $300 for the machine.  Secret service men say the airplane went
into the care of Turner and Runser.
        Turner has received a number of callers since he was placed in
the county jail, but he has not been able to furnish bond to date.  He is
asking the public to withhold judgment until his side can be heard from.


The Savannah Morning News, Savannah, GA, Thurs, Feb. 2, 1922;
p. 14, c. 2 -

        DRAW U. S. COURT JURORS

        Grand and traverse jurors for the February term of the United
States District Court were drawn by Judge Evans yesterday.  The former
will report on February 14, the convening day of court, and the latter on
February 20, the day on which trials will begin.
        Following are those drawn:
        Grand Jury-
              Adrian      Brooks     W.J.
              Baxley      Jarman     R.H.
              Baxley      Leggett    C.D.
              Claxton     Brewton    Jas. M.
              Claxton     DeLoach    Remer R.
              Claxton     Hodges     H.M.
              Cobbtown    Mercer     L.M.
              Guyton      Weitman    D.M.
              Jesup       Reed       W.R.
              Lanier      Stubbs     J.C.
              Metter      Rountree   L.D.
              Millen      Applewhite J.P.
              Millen      McComb     M.G.
              Owens Ferry Hopkins    A.J.
              Pembroke    Dukes      H.H.
              Savannah    Eve        J. Hammond
              Savannah    Bacon      Albert C.
              Savannah    Bennett    Jas. L.
              Savannah    Blun       Henry
              Savannah    Boley      Henry M.
              Savannah    Bruen      H.H.
              Savannah    Coney      W.M.
              Savannah    Cunningham Wayne
              Savannah    Davis      Wm. V.
              Savannah    Williamson Wm. W.      [Foreman]
              Soperton    Branch     E.L.
              Soperton    Jones      F.E.
              Statesboro  Oliver     E.C.
              Tarrytown   Wheeler    A.L.
              Ways        Sasser     S.S.
        Traverse Jury--
              ...


The Columbia Record, Columbia, SC, Vol. XXIV, No 245, Wed, Feb 15, 1922:
p. 1, c. 5 -

ROSCOE TURNER
        CASE BE HEARD
        -------
Preliminary Against Columbia
  Aviator Probably Friday,
  When Witnesses Arrive
        -------

        Upon arrival of government witnesses, who were being expected
here Tuesday from Atlanta, Roscoe Turner, well known young aviator,
charged with having an alleged stolen naval plane in his possession, will
be arraigned before United States Commissioner R. Beverley Sloan.  The
local authorities were without definite informaiton regarding the time of
the arrival of the government officials, neither were they able to say
whether Turner would be transferred to Savannah.  The case being a
government proceeding, the local authoriities were awaiting instructions
from the federal investigators, who lodged the charge against Turner.
Turner has been in the county jail since his arrest a month ago, being
unable to furnish the required bond of $1,500.  The investigation was
conducted principally by Albert J. Wrismer, of Atlanta, who, with
Detective Shorter, arrested Turner in front of an automobile
establishment on Sumter street.
        Turner's partner in flying exhibitions, Harry Runser, was
arrested at Fort Wayne, Ind., two days after Turner's arrest here, for
complicity in the alleged purchase of the naval plane in question.  It
was said that the plane was borrowed by a young marine at the Parris
Island yards, and when he failed to report back with the plane government
agents got busy and arrested the marine, who upon being questioned by
William J. Burns, chief of the government bureau of investigations, made
statements, it was alleged, that resulted in the arrest of Turner here
and Runser in Indiana.



The Columbia Record, Columbia, SC, Vol. XXIV, No 249, Mon, Feb 20, 1922:
p. 7, c. 7 -

ROSCOE TURNER IS
        TAKEN TO GEORGIA
                ON THEFT CHARGE
        -----------
        Detective Allen left Monday morning with Roscoe Turner, young
aviator who has been held here for government authorities for having in
his possession an alleged stolen naval plane.  Turner who was well known
in Columbia, was arrested in front of the garage where he worked, on
Sumter street, about a month ago.  His bond was fixed at $1,500 but his
efforts to furnish the bond proved unavailing and he remained in the
county jail from the day of his arrest to the hour of his departure to
Savannah for trial, with the exception of the brief period that he was
before United States Commissioner R. Beverley Sloan.  A date was
orginally fixed for his preliminary, but the federal agents failed to
report in Columbia at the time appointed.
        The federal grand jury sitting in Savannah on Saturday reported a
true bill to the indictment with the alleged receiving of stolen goods
belonging to the government.  Harry Runser, a former flying mate of
Turner, was arrested at Fort Wayne, Ind., on a charge similar to the
allegations preferred by the government against Turner here.



The State, Columbia, SC, Mon, February 20, 1922:
p. 8, c. 4 -

ROSCOE TURNER
        TO STAND TRIAL
        -------
Federal Agents Take Air-
   man to Savannah
        -------
        Roscoe Turner, the aviator, who has been held in the Richland
county jail on a charge of having had a stolen airplane in his
possession, will be taken to Savannah this morning to be tried in the
federal court.  Turner was arrested in Columbia several weeks ago by a
federal agent and a city detective, and two days later, Harry Runser, his
pal in the flying business, was arrested at Fort Wayne, Ind.  Both airmen
are charged with the same offense.
        Federal agents reported the theft of a government airplane from
Parris Island last September and it is said that secret service men
obtained evidence which they claim to incriminate Turner and Runser.  The
flying machine was brought to a point near Savannah where Turner and
Runser took charge of it, according to reports.
        Turner and Runser are well known in various parts of this state
where they gave flying exhibitions.  Turner was engaged in the automobile
business in Columbia when arrested by federal agents.
        Detective Shorter has deputized Detective Allen to accompany
Turner and a federal officer to Savannah.  The party will leave at 7
o'clock this morning over the Seaboard.


The Columbia Record, Columbia, SC, Vol. XXIV, No 250, Tue, Feb 21, 1922:
p. 7, c. 4 -

ROSCOE TURNER
        TO FACE JURY
        -------
Columbia Aviator Waives Pre-
   liminary in Savannah-Tried
   Soon in U.S. Court.
        -------
        Savannah, Feb. 21- Lieut Roscoe Turner, avaitor, indicted by the
grand jury here for stealing government property, was brought here today
from Columbia by a deputy United States Marshall.  Preliminary hearing
was waived and he was lodged in jail in default of bond.  No date has yet
been set for the trial but it is understood that he will be tried at
present session of the United States court.
        Runser is being brought here from Fort Wayne, Ind.  No date has
yet been set for his trial but it is expected that he also will be tried
at present session of court.
                -------------------------------------
        Lieut. Turner was arrested about a month ago in Columbia by
federal agents, on warrant chargin him with having in his possession an
airplane which had been stolen from the government staton at Paris
Island.  The avaitor was arrested in front of an automobile establishment
where he had been working as salesman for several weeks.  He was unable
to furnish the $1,500 bond fixed by a United States Commissioner and
remained in jail until taken to Savannah Monday.
        Lieut. Turner has made Columbia headquarters for several months.
He has flown over many parts of the state and is well known throughout
the state.



The Columbia Record, Columbia, SC, Vol. XXIV, No 251, Wed, Feb 22, 1922:
p. 1, c. 2 -

TURNER AND PAL
        TO GO ON TRIAL
                NEXT WEDNESDAY
        --------------
        Savannah, Feb 22-- Roscoe Turner and Harry Runser, lieutenants in
the aviation reserve corps, will be placed on trial Wednesday for alleged
receiving of stolen government property, a marine corps airplane, it has
been announced by Assistant District Attorney Charles D. Russell.  Turner
was brought here a few days ago from Columbia, where he was arrested last
month while employed as a salesman for an automobile firm.  Runser is
said to be on his way here in the custody of federal authorities who
arrested him at Fort Wayne, Ind.  Turner waived preliminary hearing when
arraigned here.



The Savannah Press, Savannah, GA, Weds, Feb. 22, 1922:
p. 11, c. 3 & p. 14, c. 4 -

  TURNER SAYS BOUGHT
  'PLANE IN SAVANNAH
  SUSPECTING NOTHING
       -------
Aviator in Chatham Coun-
  ty Jail Talks About
  Charge Against Him.
        ------
HAS RECOMMENDATIONS
  FROM HOME TOWN FOLKS
        ------
        Reinforced with ace-high endorsements and with a statement
covering his version of the charges placed against him here, which allege
he stole a government airplane, Roscoe Turner, first lieutenant of the
Reserve Officers Corp, in his first and exclusive interview with The
Press yesterday afternoon, told how he hopes to convince the United
States jury at his trial, which will take place next Wednesday, that he
is not guilty of the charge, and that he is a victim of circumstances.
        Turner is now in Chatham county jail, clad in civilian clothes.
He refuses to wear his uniform while confined to jail.  He was brought
here from Columbia, S.C., where he was arrested last week.  Before
reaching Savannah he secured the following endorsement from his home
town.  He has had this endorsement photographed and copies made.

                The Endorsement

        "To whom it may concern:  This is to certify that we, the
undersigned, officials of Alcorn county, state of Mississippi, have known
Roscoe Turner from his infancy up, and there has never been a charge
of any kind made against him in the courts here.  He comes from a good
family, a family noted for its observance of the law.  The father of this
young man was deputy sheriff of this county for four years, and served the
county fearlessly.
        "We cannot believe that a young man reared in such a good family
as this young man has been, would depart from such rearing and resort to
crime.
        "Respectively, Corinth Bank & Trust Co., F.F. Andrews, cashier;
H.G. Perry, cashier Citizens National Bank;  First National Bank, G.A.
Hazard, vice president;  Thomas Johnson, county prosecuting attorney;
Lee Gray, sheriff;  J. H. Pittman, circuit clerk;  W.C. Sweat,
attorney-at-law; and B.F. Worsham, U.S. commissioner."

                Bought 'Plane here

        "The airplane which they accuse me of stealing was bought right
here in Savannah," declared Lieut. Turner yesterday afternoon.  "I bought
it from a marine, John McCoy.  All that time hundreds of government
'planes were on the market, and I had no reason to doubt that McCoy was
not the real owner.  It was nothing out of the ordinary for a marine
flier to own a 'plane, hence I did not hesitate to buy it from him.  My
partner, Harry J. Runser, who has been arrested in Fort Wayne, Ind., and
will be brought to Savannah in the next few days, and I bought it
together.   We were innocent of any knowledge that McCoy may have stolen
the plane from the marine corps.  He was in possession of the 'plane
here, when he named his price, my partner and I bought it.  We concealed
nothing-- we operated the 'plane in this vicinity without any fear.
Doesn't it seem logical to you that if we had any knowledge that the
'plane was stolen we would have hopped off to the other coast and not
given exhibitions throughout the South?"

                In Reserve

        Turner two years ago returned from overseas, where he had been an
American flier for over two years.  He is now in the Reserve Officers'
Corps and is rated as a first lieutenant.  He and his partner are
nationally known.
        "When we returned from overseas, my partner and I decided to take
up commercial flying.  We were more interested in the scientific and
educational side of flying than we were in the monetary end.  Our plans,
as told in the newspapers a few months ago, were to make South American
flights for Savannah as a publicity feature for the city.
        "While we were making a movie 'stunt flight' in Memphis, the
machine-- the identical one in question in this case charged against me--
had a mishap, and crashed in a fall of several hundred feet.  Neither my
partner nor I sustained any injuries.  We were making this flight to
secure funds for our South American trips."

                Expert

        Turner is an expert parachute jumper, aerial acrobat, Spherical
balloon pilot, mechanic and aereal observer.
        The birdman terms his presence in Chatham county's jail as an
"unfortunate affair, which I will come clear of after a hearing."



The Asheville Citizen, Asheville, NC, Thur., February 23, 1922:
p. 14, c. 5 -

LIEUTENANT TURNER
        JAILED IN SAVANNAH
        ---------
Aviator, Known Here, Is Unable to
        Make Bond-- Charged With Theft
        of Government Aeroplane.
        ----------
        Lieut. Roscoe Turner, who last summer operated a passenger plane
here and performed stunts while flying over the city, is now in jail in
Savannah, Ga., charged with being implicated in the theft of a government
aeroplane, according to information reaching Asheville yesterday.
        Following is a story, which appeared in Tuesday's issue of The
Savannah Morning News regarding the predicament of the aviator:
        "Brought here for trial, having been indicted by the grand jury
for the larceny of government property, Lieut. Roscoe Turner, aviator,
was lodged in jail yesterday in default of bond.  Preliminary hearing was
waived.
        "Turner was jointly indicted by the grand jury with Harry Runser.
the two are alleged to have stolen an airplane belonging to the
government.  The machine was flown from Paris Island by a marine and was
reported as having been wrecked.
        "It has not been definitely announced that the two defendants
will be tried at this term of the United States District court but it is
expected that they will be.



The Savannah Press, Savannah, GA, #20349, Sat, Feb. 25, 1922:
p. 12, c. 2 -

AVIATOR GETS YEAR
        ON FEDERAL CHARGE
        ---------
   BUT DENIES HIS GUILT
        ---------
Lieut. Turner Says He Didn't
   Know 'Plane Was Stolen
        ---------
        Pleading guilty but maintaining his innocence of any crime,
Lieut. Roscoe Turner, indicted by the United States grand jury for
conspiracy and having in his possession stolen government property, in
the United States District Court yesterday, was fined $50 and sentenced
to imprisonment in the federal penitentiary at Atlanta for a year and a
day.
        The plea of guilty followed a consultation with Assistant United
States District Attorney Charles D. Russell.  After the sentence, Turner
stated that he had pleaded guilty to the charge as he thought
"circumstances demanded it."
        "I'm going to Atlanta and serve the sentence like a man," he
said.  "I am innocent of any crime but I thought that this was the best
way out.  And when I leave the iron doors of the pen behind I'm going in
again for commercial flying, exhibitions."
        Turner was jointly indicted with Harry Runser, his partner, the
date of the trial having been set for next Wednesday.  Runser has been
arrested in Fort Wayne, Ind., and is expected to be brought here within
the next few days.  Mr. Russell announced yesterday, however that he had
not been advised when he will arrive.
        John L. McCoy, marine, from whom Runser and Turner are alleged to
have bought a stolen airplane, for which they were indicted, will be
tried by general court-martial.  McCoy was apprehended at New York in the
Marine Hospital and was returned to Parris Island where he is now
confined awaiting trial.
        In his statement to a newspaper man after sentence had been
imposed, Turner is quoted as having said that Runser had attempted to
place the responsibility for the alleged purchase of the stolen plane on
him, tending to throw the weight of evidence against him and to free
himself.


The Columbia Record, Columbia, SC, Vol. XXIV, No 254, Sat, Feb 25, 1922:
p. 2, c. 5 -

ROSCOE TURNER
        TO ATLANTA PEN
        -------
Aviator Sentenced to Year and
   Day and Fine- Runser Tried
   Wednesday.
        -------
        Savannah, Feb. 25.-- Pleading guilty but maintaining his
innocence of any crime, Lieut. Roscoe Turner indicted by the United grand
jury for conspiracy and having in his possession stolen government
property, in the United States district court here yesterday was
sentenced to imprisonment in the penitentiary at Atlanta for a year and a
day by Judge Evans.  A fine of $50 was also imposed.
        The plea of guilty followed a consultation with Assistant United
States District Attorney Charles D. Russell, who advised such action,
coupled with "circumstances" demanding it.  He decided to hazard the
leniency of the court.
        "I'm going to Atlanta and serve the sentence like a man," Turner
said, while he was waiting to be carried to jail. "I am innocent of any
crime but I thought that this was the best way out,  and when I leave the
iron doors of the pen behind I'm going in again for commercial flying
exhibitions."
        Turner, jointly indicted with Harry Runser, who has been
arrested at Fort Wayne, Ind., and will be brought here for trial, in his
statement said that Runser had attempted to place the responsibility for
the alleged purchase of the stolen airplane on him, tending to throw the
weight of evidence against him and to free himself.  The trial of Runser,
will be held on next Wednesday, if he is brought here by that time.  The
district attorney, announced however, that he had not been advised when
he will arrive.


The State, Columbia, SC, Sat, February 25, 1922:
p. 1, c. 4 -

TURNER TO SERVE
        TERM IN ATLANTA
        -------
Aviator Well Known in Columbia
    Pleads Guilty and Gets
        Year and Day.

Special to The State.
        Savannah, GA., Feb. 24.-- Occasioned by circumstances and the
advice of the district attorney, Roscoe Turner, aviator, indicted by the
United States grand jury for conspiracy and having in his possession
stolen government property, brought here for trial, entered a plea of
guilty before Judge Evans this afternoon and was fined $50 and sentenced
to imprisonment in the federal penitentiary at Atlanta for a year and a
day.  After his sentence Turner said:
        "I'm going to serve it like a man.  I am innocent, but I believe
I took the best way out.  And after I leave the iron doors of the pen
behind I'm going in again for exhibition flying.  I'm going to
commercialize flying."
        Turner was jointly indicted with Harry Runser, who has been
arrested in Fort Wayne, Ind., for buying a stolen plane and will be
brought to Savannah within the next few days.  His trial had been set for
next Wednesday but the district attorney is doubtful whether he will be
here by that time.
                -------------------------------------
        Roscoe Turner was arrested in Columbia several weeks ago charged
with having in his possession a stolen government airplane.  The airplane
in question was alleged to have been one missing from Parris Island.
        Turner, who is well known in columbia and throughout South
Carolina, was placed in the Richland county jail where he remained until
last Monday morning, when he was taken to Savannah for trial.
        Runser, Turner's flying partner, who is under arrest, is also
well known in Columbia, having been in the flying game with Turner in
this section for about two years.



The Asheville Citizen, Asheville, NC, Mon., February 27, 1922:
p. 10, c. 3 -

TURNER GETS YEAR
        IN PENITENTIARY
        --------
Aviator Enters Plea of Guilty to
        Federal Charge Before District
        Court in Savannah.
        -----------------
        Lieut. Roscoe Turner, former aviator, who spent several months in
Asheville last summer, was sentenced to serve a year in the federal
penitentiary and pay a fine of $50 when he was given a hearing before the
United States District court in Savannah, last Friday, according to word
reaching Asheville yesterday.
        Regarding the trial of the case, the following story was carried
by The Savannah Morning News:
        "Pleading guilty but maintaining his innocence of any crime,
Lieut. Roscoe Turner, indicted by the United States grand jury for
conspiracy and having in his possession stolen government property, in
the United States District Court, yesterday, was fined $50 and sentenced
to imprisonment in the federal penitentiary at Atlanta for a year and a
day.
        "The plea of guilty followed a consultation with Assistant United
States District Attorney Charles D. Russell.  After the sentence, Turner
stated that he had pleaded guilty to the charge as he thought
"'circumstances demanded it.'
        "'I'm going to Atlanta and serve the sentence like a man,'" he
said.  "'I am innocent of any crime but I thought that this was the best
way out.  And when I leave the iron doors of the pen behind, I'm going in
again for commercial flying, exhibition.'
        "Turner was jointly indicted with Harry Runser, his partner, the
date of the trial having been set for next Wednesday.  Runser has been
arrested in Fort Wayne, Ind., and is expected to be brought here within
the next few days.  Mr. Russell announced yesterday, however, that he had
not been advised when he will arrive.
        "John L. McCoy, marine, from whom Runser and Turner are alleged
to have bought a stolen airplane for which they were indicted will be
tried by general court-martial.  McCoy was apprehended at New York in the
Marine Hospital and was returned to Paris Island where he is now confined
awaiting trial.
        "In his statement to a newspaper man after sentence had been
imposed, Turner is quoted as having said that Runser had attempted to
place the responsibility for the alleged purchase of the stolen plane on
him, tending to throw the weight of evidence against him and to free
himself."



The Savannah Press, Savannah, GA, Thur, Mar. 2, 1922;
p. 11, c. 5 -

RUNSER BROUGHT HERE
     ---------
        Harry Runsner, charged with the larceny of an army airplane
several months ago and who was subsequently arrested in Fort Wayne, Ind.,
was brought to Savannah this morning.
        The prisoner was brought in by Deputy United States Marshal Sloan
of Fort Wayne.



The Savannah Morning News, Savannah, GA, Fri, Mar. 3, 1922;
p. 12, c. 1 -

HARRY RUNSER SENT TO
        PRISON FOR ONE YEAR
        ----------
Flying Partner of Roscoe Tur-
      ner is Sentenced

        Brought here yesterday unexpectedly from Fort Wayne, Ind., where
he was arrested for federal authorities in Savannah, Harry Runser,
aviator, jointly indicted with Lieut. Roscoe Turner for having in his
possession stolen government property and conspiracy, pleaded guilty
before Judge Evans in the United States District Court and was sentenced
to imprisonment in the Atlanta penitentiary for a year and a day.  Fine
of $50 was also imposed.
        Turner pleaded guilty last week and the same term of imprisonment
as was given Runser was imposed by Judge Evans.  The aviators, flying
partners, were indicted by the United States grand jury here for having
bought an airplane from John L. McCoy, marine, a few miles from here.
The plane was alleged to have been stolen.  McCoy was apprehended in New
York and was returned to Parris Island where he is now awaiting
disposition of his case by general court martial.



Abstracts (c) Copyright 1993 Stephanie L. Sandy

    Data transcription by: Milton Sandy, Jr. Corinth, MS - October 17, 1993