The Big Stone Gap Post, Big Stone Gap, Wise County, VA, Wed., July 7, 1920:
p. 1, c 1-2 -
PICTURE: Jenny with wing-walker, standing center of top wing. Caption:
Lieutenants Roscoe Turner and Harry J. Runser as they appeared
in exhibition flights at Big Stone Gap Saturday, July 3rd.
Lieutenant Turner is shown standing on top of plane while it is
going at high speed with Lieutenant Runser as pilot.
RECORD BREAKING CROWD
VISITS BIG STONE GAP
------------
Nearly Ten Thousand People Witness Cele-
ebration of Declaration of Independence
Here Saturday -- Aeroplane Arrives
Late in Day and Thrills Crowd
--------
It is believed the largest crowd of people that ever came to Big
Stone Gap was here Saturday to witness the annual celebration of the
Declaration of Independence. There were over seventy-one hundred paid
admissions at the gate and it can be safely estimated that the crowd here
would number close to the ten thousand mark. Every event on the program
was carried through without a mishap with the exception of the aeroplane
flights. The machine did not arrive until 4:45 o'clock in the afternoon
and consequently only one exhibition flight was made before the closing
of the program. However Lieut. Runser and Turner will be here all this
week with their aeroplane making flights and taking up passengers who may
desire a trip to the clouds.
It was previously arranged for the aeroplane to come here at noon
Friday [July 2, 1920] from Covington, Va., but a telegram received Friday
night from Mr. Runser stated they had left at five o'clock for Big Stone
Gap. This was the last message received from them until their arrival
Saturday afternoon [July 3, 1920]. The aviators stated they encountered
frequent storms and were forced to land twice in West Virginia and once
at Dungannon, Scott county for gasoline. Much anxiety was felt here over
their safety on account of receiving no message during this intermission
of several hours and the thought of having an aeroplane here on
celebration day was practically abandoned. But it was finally cited to
the north east of town at a high altitude coming this way when the
baseball game between Big Stone Gap and Keokee was going on. This, of
course, interrupted the game and the crowd was pushed back to the edge of
the park to allow plenty of landing space, which the aviators acomplished
with perfect safety. Then one was given an idea of the immense crowd
here as they rushed across the grounds to where the machine was to greet
the aviators and give them a rousing welcome. Aviator Turner announced
to the crowd that they would give an exhibition flight at seven o'clock
which took place over the the athletic grounds. The crowd was thrilled
by the stunts of Aviator Turner as he stood on top of the plane and also
hang from it by his toes as it was going at full speed. Several flights
were made Sunday afternoon and a number of passengers taken up from this
place and at near Minton's store, where the aviators found a perfectly
safe field for this purpose and where they will fly from while in this
section.
Two base ball games were played during the day. The first one
was between Keokee and Stonega which resulted in a victory for Keokee by
a score of 7 to 1. The winners of the morning game played Big Stone Gap
in the afternoon and the home team won by the close score of 1 to 0,
which was the most exciting game seen here for some time.
After the ball game the motorcycle races took place and this also
proved to be one of the best attractions, as some of the best riders of
Southwest Virginia were seen on the track. There were three races, Frank
DeBusk, of East Stone Gap, winning the first; Simms, of Appalachia,
winning the second, and Williams, of East Stone Gap, winning the third.
The track was very rough owing to the recent rains, but the riders gave
the crowd a chance to witness some rare speed.
The Big Stone Gap Post, Wise County, VA, No. 27, Wed., July 7, 1920:
p. 1, c 5-6 -
AVIATORS
EXPLAIN DELAY
------
Encounter Many Difficulties
in Flight to Big Stone Gap.
Lieutenants Roscoe Turner and Harry J. Runser, who piloted the
big British cruiser aeroplane from Covington, Va., to Big Stone Gap, a
distance of two hundred and fifty miles, as the crow flies, to take part
in the big celebration here Saturday, made a statement explaining their
delay of several hours. It was their intention to leave Covington at 10
o'clock Friday morning and arrive here at noon, but rain storms prevented
them from starting until four o'clock in the afternoon. After being in
the air only thirty minutes they ran into a storm and were forced to land
near Gap Mills, W.Va., twenty miles away from railroad or telegraph
office. After waiting until noon Saturday for the clouds to break away
they attempted to fly again but had to descend to the same place after
being up for only a few minutes. Realizing the fact that the people here
would be greatly disappointed if they failed to show up they decided to
face the storm and come anyhow. They were compelled to fly against a
stiff wind all the way and only travelled at the rate of fifty ground
miles an hour although under normal conditions the speed would have been
one hundred miles. Flying over the city of Bluefield they followed
Clinch River down to Dungannon, Scott county. By this time their gas
supply was low and they stopped before attempting to cross the mountain
range. At four o'clock in the afternoon they started on what proved to
be their last lap for Big Stone Gap reaching here at 4:45 o'clock. On
arriving here they were flying at an altitude of about 7000 feet. This
height was maintained on account of not finding a suitable landing place
between here and Dungannon, and in case their machine went wrong they
could glide back to the starting point.
The aviators will remain here all this week with their machine
and will make exhibition flights at Norton Saturday afternoon [July 10,
1920] during the ball game. They will return to their aviation field
which is located on the farm of Clay Stewart above East Stone Gap and
haul passengers all day Sunday. Already a number of people from here and
neighboring towns have went up for a trip over the mountain tops.
During the flight at Norton Saturday Lieut. Turner will do
aerobatic stunts on the plane, such as standing on his head and walking
out to tips of wings.
The Monroe Watchman, Union, WV, Thurs., July 8, 1920:
p. 5, c. 2 -
AIRPLANE FLIES OVER MONROE
Last Friday evening, July 2, about 6 o'clock, an airplane swept
over the Potts Valley, flying westward over Lanret Branch and Waiteville
and disappearing over the rim of Peters Mountain. Mr. G.E.Arthur, who
was here Saturday, said the plane was at no great altitude the noise of
the motor being distinctly heard and the figures of at least two men
being seen in the air craft. Later it was seen flying over Peters
Mountain Valley in Red Sulphur district. This probably was the first
airplane to fly over Monroe country and caused much "miratin'."
p. 8, c. 4
ZENITH ITEMS
Aeroplane Visits Monroe
A severe electric storm accompanied by torrents of rain swept
across our valley last Saturday night.
...The valley of Peters Mountain now justly claims the honor of
being the first section of Monroe county to be traversed by an airplane.
On Saturday morning, July 3, 1920, our people were startled by the sound
of an approaching airplane, which came down the valley as far as Zenith
and turned and went back to the Eads Hill, where they stopped. In about
30 minutes it returned and went on down the valley. It was so near the
earth at Zenith that the letters on the bottom of the machine could be
distinctly seen. Some of our people are now predicting a regular air
line along Peters Mountain.
CAPT.
p. 8, c. 6
LINDSIDE NEWS
...An air plane flew down Peters Mountain Valley Saturday
Evening. We don't know where it was bound for.
ALPHA
The Big Stone Gap Post, Wise County, VA, No. 28, Wed., July 14, 1920:
p. 1, c. 4 -
AIRPLANE
ATTACHED
--------
To the People of Big Stone
Gap, Norton and Surround-
ing Towns.
We wish to state that all our dealings throughout more than a
score of states in the Union have always been fair and square and within
the law, and never before in all of our travels have we been bothered and
accused of breaking the law.
Monday morning [July 12, 1920] we were notified that our airplane
had been attached because we had been selling photographs of an
exhibition which no one else in the world has ever attempted. On these
photographs, which is plainly stated, there is a number which entitles
the holder to a free chance to draw the airplane when the photographs are
all sold. This photograph cost us hundreds of dollars to get and the
chance of losing our lives, but we are out to help develop aviation and
we find it necessary to take some very hazardous risks in order ot keep
the game pushing forward.
We thought we were doing the people of this part of Virginia a
favor by bringing our airplane in here, as many of them had never seen an
airplane. True enough we were paid for our first day here, but we still
have to pay our expenses the balance of the time. If we crack up our
plane as we did in Jonesville last fall, no one has to pay the bill but
us, and in order to prepare for these kind of days, we have to think of
many ways to raise money to keep in business and at the same time we try
always to stay within the law. In a few years it will be much easier to
remain in the flying game, because people will understand it better, but
unless we aviators undertake to go where people know nothing of
airplanes, how will they ever understand and how can we ever expect to
advance in aviation with other countries of the world?
These photographs with a free chance on the plane are being sold
because it stimulates further interest in aviation. Is it because we are
strangers in here that some one trys to black every move we make? I
suppose if we should break our necks while up in the mountains here
demonstrating that aviation is a coming business no one would object to
that. But we are game, we do not mind coming into a country where no
landing fields exist, if we think there is a half chance to get out
alive. Both of our exhibitions at Big Stone Gap and Norton were very
hazardous and both times if things did not work perfectly it meant
complete destruction of our investment and perhaps our lives. Our flight
out of Norton, we both thought we were gone, because of the dead air
which would not let our ship climb. We missed the telephone wires only
one foot.
When we make chances like that to make our expenses so we can
bring something in this part of the country where no other airship will
attempt to come, can it be possible that the people here will not let us
continue the same work we have done in twenty other states? If this be
so, all the people who have bought photographs will kindly return same to
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and we will return the money to them.
We wish to thank all the people who gave us their hearty
cooperation during our stay here. Signed:
HARRY J. RUNSER }
ROSCOE TURNER } AVIATORS
P.S. -- We think that we should have been notified that it was
not the wishes of the people for us to sell our photos here, in place of
attaching our plane while we were in bed asleep.
The Big Stone Gap Post, Big Stone Gap, Wise Cty, VA, Wed., July 14, 1920:
p. 2, c. 1 -
[Gilbert N. Knight - Editor
Lindsey J. Horton, Ass't Editor
Editorial]
Monday morning it was learned that the Sheriff of Wise county had
attached the aeroplane of Runser & Turner, having locked it on the
aviation field near East Stone Gap, at an early hour, even while the
aviators were asleep in the hotel here. This was done probably because
the aviators were selling photos and giving the purchasers a chance on
the flying machine free, which may have been construed as a violation of
the law. The rifling off of automobiles, etc., has been a frequent
occurrence in Wise county within the last few years and so far as can be
learned no one has been molested or prosecuted or such air act, yet these
gentlemen who came here for a good cause, and having piloted their
machines across the lofty mountain ranges, for the sake of giving the
people of this section a chance to see a real aeroplane and acquaint them
with aviation, have to face this undue embarrassment. They are gentlemen
of the highest type and saw much service in the aviation corps during the
recent war, both here and abroad, and although coming here rank strangers
they have made friends with every one they come in contact with and it
was not their purpose to violate any law. They announced their
intentions of selling these photos within fifteen minutes after arriving
here on the evening of July 3rd and if it was a violation of the law and
the authorities intended to take action in the matter the aviators should
have been notified to that effect. But no action was taken until after
the aviators had made exhibition flights before thousands of people, both
at this place and at Norton.
It is to be hoped that if these gentlemen have violated the law and
are prosecuted they will be dealt with leniently, as we do not believe
they had any intention of evading or violating the law in any manner.
The News and Observer, Raleigh, NC, Fri., July 16, 1920:
p. 2, c 1 -
RUNSER HELD ON CHARGE
OF OPERATING A LOTTERY
-------------
Bristol, Tenn., July 15.-- The airplane belonging to Harry J.
Runser and Roscoe Turner has been padlocked to a post by authorities at
Big Stone Gap, Va., where the two aviators, ex-service men of
Winston-Salem, N.C., are detained on a charge of operating a lottery.
Photographs sold by the young men portraying aero acrobatic stunts, were
alleged to have been numbered, and were to be held by the purchasers as
chances on the airplane.
---------------------------------------------
Runser and Turner are well known in Raleigh where they operated a
passenger carrying airplane here for some time.
Many Raleigh people took flights at a good price for flight, and
the Sunday operations particularly came in for vigorous denunciation in
some of the churches.
The Big Stone Gap Post, Wise County, VA, No. 29, Wed., July 21, 1920:
p. , c. 4 -
GO TO ASHEVILLE
-------
Aviators Left Here Monday
With W.H.Wren As a
Passenger.
Lieutenants Roscoe Turner and Harry J. Runser, who have been in
the Gap since July 3rd, having come here in their British aerial cruiser
from Covington, Va., to make exhibition flights at the celebration, left
here Monday [July 19, 1920] at 12:45 p.m. for Asheville, N.C., although
they stopped for a short time at Chilhowie to let off W.H. Wren, who went
from here as a passenger. A telephone message received here at 1:50
stated the flying machine had just passed over Abingdon and would land at
Chilhowie in a few minutes. It took the aviators several minutes to get
the proper elevation on leaving here and finally when they reached a
height of about 5,000 feet they disapppeared in the east.
Asheville is almost direct south of Big Stone Gap, the distance
being about 125 miles on an air line, which the aviators claimed they
could reach in one hour and thirty minutes. It was their intention to
leave Saturday afternoon, but threatening storms prevented the trip.
C.W.Bennett returned Monday night from Chilhowie and said the
aeral party arrived there about thirty minutes before he left, making the
trip in fifty minutes without a single mishap. The distance from here to
Chilhowie by rail is one hundred miles.
The Lenoir News-Topic, Lenoir, NC, Thurs., July 22, 1920:
p. 7, c. 2 -
PERSONAL AND SOCIAL
----------
Aviators Are Here
Lieut. Harry J. Runser and Lieut. Roscoe Turner arrived in Lenoir
Tuesday [July 20, 1920] to spend a day or so. They came in a big British
three-passenger airplane, and landed in Lower Creek bottom. These
gentlemen were here during the fair and just a short time ago and did
many exciting stunts. The people of Lenoir like them and are glad to
welcome them at any and all times.
The Pee Dee Advocate, Bennettsville, SC, Thur., July 22, 1920:
p. 4, c. 2 -
AN AIRPLANE ARRESTED
-----
Runser and Turner in Trouble For
Selling Chances For Rides
-----------------
Runser and Turner, the aviators who spent some time at
Bennettsville last winter and carried many people up in the air here, ran
into trouble in Virginia, as the following press dispatch shows:
Bristol, Tenn., July 15.-- The airplane belonging to Harry J.
Runser and Roscoe Turner has been padlocked to a post by authorities at
Big Stone Gap, Va., where the two aviators, ex-service men, of
Winston-Salem, N.C. are detained on a charge of operating a lottery.
Photographs sold by the young men portraying aero acrobatic stunts, were
alleged to have been numbered, and were to be held by the purchasers as
chances on the airplane.
The Asheville Citizen, Asheville, NC, Fri., July 23, 1920:
p. 14, c. 5 -
SECOND AEROPLANE
LANDS IN ASHEVILLE
Runser and Turner Bring Big Aero
Here-- To Hold Races Over the
City Next Sunday
----------------
Flying here from Lenoir, where they landed after leaving Big
Stone Gap, Va., Turner and Runser, owners of the big British plane, an
Avro, arrived here yesterday and are now at the field in Baird's bottoms,
which Scott Dillingham is using for his ships. The aviators have covered
11 states and 6,000 miles since they left here last May. They propose to
remain here for sometime, making trips in this section of the country,
and both planes will use the same field.
The aviators plan to stage a big race next Sunday, at which time
the two machines will do a number of stunts in the air and it is expected
that a large number of people from Asheville and towns in this section of
the state will be present.
The Asheville Citizen, Asheville, NC, Sun., July 25, 1920:
p. 21 , c. 4 -
[WANT AD SECTION- HEADING - WANTS - AUTOMOBILES (next to big classified
ad for Scott Dillingham's Modern Used Car Exchange)]
----------------------------
AEROPLANE RACING
and Stunt Flying, at Baird
bottom today from 3 to 7 p.m.
Take Grace Car line.
7-25-1
------------------------------
The Asheville Citizen, Asheville, NC, Mon., July 26, 1920:
p. 1 , c. 7-8 -
EVERETT B. FRADY IS
KILLED AS AIRPLANE
FALLS IN NOSE DIVE
---------
Lieut. Theordore Whitt Has
Both Legs and Arm
Broken in Crash
---------
MACHINE FALLS 250
FEET INTO PASTURE
---------
Funeral of Frady Will Be
Held at First Baptist
Church Today
-------
In the first fatal aeroplane accident to occur in this section of
the state Everett B. Frady was killed and Lieut. Theodore Whitt had both
legs and one arm broken when the machine in which they were riding
crashed to the earth in Beaverdam bottom at 11:30 o'clock Sunday morning.
From a statement made by Whitt when he was picked up, Frady had
become frightened when the plane was leaving the landing field about half
a mile beyond the end of the Grace carline, and seized the control stick.
He froze to this and efforts of the pilot to loosen his hold met with no
success and the machine plunged headlong to the ground from a height of
250 feet, killing Frady instantly.
WAS A PASSENGER.
Frady was riding as a passenger in the commercial plane operated
by Scott Dillingham. Several successful flights had been made during the
morning.
The machine was a total wreck. When found Whitt was conscious
and was rushed at once to the Mission hospital. No internal injuries
were suffered and it is said by physicians that he will recover....
TWO SEATED CURTISS.
The machine is a two seated Curtiss. Control sticks are in both
seats. Frady was occupying the front one, while Whitt had the latter,
where all the guages were located. It is customary in these training
planes for the pilot to sit in the back seat and to carry a blackjack or
some weapon with which to knock the one in the front seat loose in case
he grabs to the control stick. Accident after accident of this sort has
happened since aviation was first taken up.
The accident is the first one of its kind to occur in Western
North Carolina. It was not due to the topography of this mountainous
section, according to the belief expressed by those who are in a position
to know. The landing field is perfectly level, and no high mountains in
which air pockets might be at all likely to be formed are near.
Hundreds of people went to the scene of the accident for news of
it spread rapidly. The plane, a total wreck, was hauled into the city
during the afternoon.
Mr. Dillingham stated last night that the accident would not
deter him from his determination to put Asheville on the map as far as
aeroplanes were concerned. He says that another machine is now on the
way from Macon, Ga., and will arrive here within the next few days to
carry passengers.
COVERED BY INSURANCE.
The loss of the plane was fully covered by insurance. The
machine originally cost $4,000 and was one of the old army training
planes with seats for instructor and pupils. This accounts for the
control stick being in the front seat. Insurance on the plane was
$4,000.
Lieut. Whitt was engaged by Mr. Dillingham last week to pilot the
machine. Harry Westall, one of Asheville's aviators during the war went
to Rome, Ga., and flew the machine back to Asheville, arriving here on
July 17. Whitt took charge of the plane the first of last week. He came
here from Carlston Field, in Florida....
Lieut. H.J.Runser and Lieut. Roscoe Turner, who have a large
commercial plane near here, were among the first to reach the scene of
the accident. The latter dragged Frady from the plane.
In a statement made by him last night he said that he found
Grady's hands in a death grip on the control stick. He ventured the
supposition that Frady had either fainted or else had grapped it in
fright.
TURNER'S STATEMENT.
Lieut. Turner said that from the way the plane struck the ground
it could be seen that someone had a hold on the control stick, as had the
plane just fallen out of mid air without any movements on the part of the
pilot or passenger, the wings would have been the first to strike the
ground as the plane would have turned over, either to the left or to the
right.
The fact that it dove nose down made the aviators believe that
someone had a hold on the control stick.
It was a frequent remark yesterday among the crowds discussing
the accident that this would put a damper on the manner in which
Asheville people would receive the "flying game." Lieut. Runser said he
thought this would not be true, pointing out that after the accident
yesterday he had two requests from passengers to take them up....
The Big Stone Gap Post, Big Stone Gap, Wise Cty, VA, Wed., July 28, 1920:
p. 1, c. 5-8 -
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
------
Editor Post:
The statement of Messrs. Harry J. Runser and Roscoe Turner,
aviators, in your last week's issue, regarding the seizure of their
airplane, and your editorial on the subject, demand a public statement
from me in regard to the matter, as I am responsible for the institution
of the prosecution in this case. I do not know that the criticism
contained in your editorial was directed against me personally, and I
make this statement not so much for the sake of personal vindication as
on account of the hurtful effect on the morale of the community in regard
to law enforcement that would be apt to result from silence on my part.
On the evening of July 3rd it was reported to me by parties who had
attended the celebration at Norton on that day that the aviators were
selling photographs of one of their exhibitions for one dollar each; that
each photograph was numbered and entitled the holder to a chance on the
airplane; that seven thousand of these photographs were to be sold before
the drawing was to take place, and that they had offered to purchase the
airplane from the winner at the price of $2,000. I also received an
anonymous letter from Big Stone Gap on the morning of Sunday, July 4th,
calling my attention to the matter. What they were selling was simply a
printed copy of a photograph, and I have evidence that it costs only
about one cent each to produce these copies. The cost of the original
photograph could not have been great and the risk was no more than they
take in all their exhibitions. When I received the above information, it
seemed to me that the proposition carried all the ear marks of a real
lottery; in fact, it was so palpably and flagrantly in violation of
the lottery statute that only the most credulous could have been
deceived, and I did not hesitate to act. I got in touch with Sheriff
Corder as soon as I could, which was late Sunday evening, and requested
him to seize the machine. In such cases the statute provides that any
prize proposed to be drawn in a lottery may be seized by an officer and
held to await condemnation proceedings. Some complaint is made on
account of the fact that the seizure was made very early in the morning,
while the young men were in bed asleep. The sheriff had to be at Wise by
9 o'clock Monday morning to open court, and had to act at an early hour
if he acted at all.
It has not been contended by the aviators since the prosecution was
instituted and will not be contended by any reputable lawyer, that the
transaction was not strictly within the condemnation of the lottery
statute. The law is that even though the article sold with a chance is
worth all that is paid for it, yet if there is a chance on a capital
prize given with the article it constitutes a lottery. The sale of an
article in connection with a lottery is unusually no more than a screen,
or an attempt to evade the law, and if anything is morally worse than a
frank, open lottery, but the legal liability is the same.
The burden of the complaint seems to be on account of the alleged
fact that the young men were not warned, rather than on the question of
the criminal character of the proposition. If there had been an officer
on the ground at the time they announced their intention of putting on
the lottery, it would have been courtesy, at least for him to have warned
them. I do not know whether there was any officer present. I was
informed, however, by a reliable citizen of Big Stone Gap, who was
formerly an officer of the town, that one of the aviators approached him
to sell him a chance on the airplane, and he then and there informed the
aviator that he was liable to get into trouble, and told him about the
instance of the automobile being forfeited at Big Stone Gap two years
ago. It was clearly the duty of the young gentlemen to inform themselves
as to the law. So far as I know, they never sought advice in the matter
from any attorney or official in this county, but went on the assumption
that unless some one protested when they made their announcement they
would be immune from prosecution. It was clearly their duty, especially
after the positive warning above referred to, to seek advice before
proceeding further with the proposition.
In regard to statements that the lottery statute is being
consistently violated in this county, and that nothing is done about it,
I have no means of knowing how much of this has been going on, except
when cases are brought to my attention. I do know, however, that I have
prosecuted, or directed local officers to prosecute, every case of the
kind that has been reported to my office. When I first assumed the
duties of this office four years ago, the punch boards were flourishing
in this county. I recognize this as a great evil, and in violation of
the lottery statute, and conducted a county wide campaign against them.
Judge Skeen held them to be in violation of the lottery statute, and
cases were prosecuted from all parts of the county. The forfeiture of
the automobile at Big Stone Gap two years ago was attended by a great
deal of notoriety, and I have been under the impression until now that
the law had been pretty thoroughly advertised in the county. It may be
that a great many cases have gotten by, but it has not been on account of
any change in policy, or let up, on the part of my office. Such cases
will be prosecuted when brought to my attention, and a number of
presentments in such cases have already been made at the present session
of the grand jury.
The gist of the airplane case is, that the young men took chances on
a money making proposition but failed to get by with it. They state that
their main purpose was to develop interest in aviation, but if the
proposition had gone through as scheduled they would have had a right
handsome profit. This was the wrong way to go about it. If aviation has
to be developed at the price of the development also of the gambling
spirit we will not have made much progress.
I regret very much the necessity of having to make any public
statement in regard to the matter. I know these young gentlemen have
made many friends in the county, and no doubt merit the popularity which
they enjoy on account of the high class and novel entertainment that they
have given the people, and for this I heartily join in the popular
acclaim that has been accorded to them. The heroic and romantic elements
inherent in their profession has a strong appeal for all of us. But at
the same time, I do not think it would be fair to the people of the
county for me to permit them to pose as the victims of unjust or
discourteous treatment, and to be upheld by the public press as such,
when in my opinion such is not the case. When the facts are fully
understood, I trust that no citizen of the county will feel himself under
the necessity of apologizing for the actions of any of the county
officers in connection with the case.
I may state that the case was disposed of by the aviators paying a
fine of $100.00, and the costs and expenses of the prosecution, and the
forfeiture proceeding against the airplane was dismissed, and that this
disposition of the case was made with the consent and approval of the
Circuit Court. I felt disposed to give them the benefit of all doubts,
and deal with them as leniently as my duty would permit, but did not feel
justified in letting them off entirely. To have done so would have been
a discrimination against our own citizens, who been prosecuted, and are
being prosecuted for the same thing.
I will ask you to kindly give space for this statement in your next
issue, and greatly oblige.
Yours very truly,
C. R. McCorcle,
Commonwealth's Attorney.
The Asheville Citizen, Asheville, NC, Thurs., July 29, 1920:
p. 2 , c. 2 -
ALTITUDE RECORDS
OVER CITY BROKEN
--------
All altitude records for a flight over Asheville were broken
yesterday by Lieutenant Runser, according to a statement made by him
yesterday. He said that he reached an altitude of 9,000 feet above the
city, higher than either Lieut. Belvin Maynard or Henry Westall has gone
over this city, according to Runser. This altitude means that the plane
was in reality two miles above sea level, for the altitude of Asheville
itself is 2,000.
The Asheville Citizen, Asheville, NC, Sun., August 1, 1920:
p. 18 , c. 5-7 -
[PICTURE: Roscoe hanging from landing gear crossbar of Jenny by his
knees]
Exhibition flights will be given by Lieutenants Runser and
Turner, two commercial aviators who have been making trips near Asheville
for the past few weeks, over Hendersonville this afternoon between four
and six o'clock, according to an announcement made last night by the
aviators.
Eighteen persons have been taken up during the past week by these
aviators, according to Lieut. Turner. He says that the tragic accident
last Sunday when Everett B. Frady was killed in a plane accident has not
proved any drawback to a a rushing business this week, and there are no
prospects that it will have an effect on the flying game in Asheville,
which will make this a point to be shunned by aviators.
Stunts of various sorts will be pulled off this afternoon, say
the aviators, Lieut. Runser piloting the machine, while Lieut. Turner
will walk the wings and do various stunts in full view of the thousands
who are expected to throng the pleasure resort at Hendersonville.
Passenger flights will also be made during the day from the
landing field at Hendersonville.
The Asheville Citizen, Asheville, NC, Tues., August 3, 1920:
p. 2 , c. 2 -
OMAR LOCKLEAR AND
HIS AID ARE KILLED
---------
Los Angeles, Calif., August 2.-- Lieutenant Omar Locklear, noted
"stunt" aviator, and Lieutenant Milton Elliott, his aide, were killed
tonight when their plane crashed from a distance of 1,000 feet.
The Asheville Sunday Citizen, Asheville, NC, Sun., Aug. 8, 1920:
p. 16, c. 4 -
PROPELLOR BROKEN IN
SLIGHT ACCIDENT
------
Airplane Forced to Land in Cornfield
When It Runs Out of Gas at Hen-
dersonville
------
Runser, one of the two commercial aviators, who has been making
flights in and near Asheville for several weeks, has a slight accident
about 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon at Hendersonville, when his machine
ran out of gasoline while in flight, and he had to make a forced landing.
Neither he nor his two passengers suffered injuries as the plane
landed in a cornfield. The propellor was broken by the contact with the
cornstalks, but beyond that the plane was not injured.
Reports that an accident had occurred at Hendersonville were
current in Asheville last night, some of them being far-fetched. An
investigation brought forth the fact that the plane had to make a forced
landing.
It will be about ten days before repairs can be made and flights
resumed. A new rotary engine is now in the Asheville express office, and
as soon as a new propellor can be ordered and received, the aviators will
resume their flights.
----------------------------------------------------------
RECORD FLIGHT MADE
TO HENDERSONVILLE
----------
While a storm came down from Pisgah and threatened to catch them,
Runser and Turner, the two commercial aviators who have been here several
weeks, accompanied by a representative of the Citizen, made a record
flight yesterday from Asheville to Hendersonville.
Leaving the landing field on Beaverdam creek about 12:30 o'clock
yesterday afternoon, the powerful Avro headed south across the city and
the Vanderbilt estate, just missing the storm that came in from the West.
During the flight between the two landing fields, only 22 minutes
passed a speed of 120 miles an hour being obtained at times.
The highest altitude reached during the flight was 3,400 feet,
but this was high enough to wet the occupants in the clouds.
Western North Carolina Times, Hendersonville, NC, Fri., Aug. 13, 1920:
p. 1, c. 1 -
FLYING MACHINE FALLS
-----
Last Saturday [August 7, 1920] while the Runser and Turner flying
machine was in the air with two lady passengers, the reserve gas tank got
out of fix and the flow of gas became impaired to the extent that the
machine had to be brought to the gorund.
The machine started to fall at a height of 25 or 30 feet and but
for the skilled management of the aviators it would have come to the
ground perhaps with fatal results for machine and passengers. The flyers
checked the crash by a number of downward curves which broke the speed of
the flying machine causing it to strike the ground lightly inflicting but
slight injuries to the passengers and machine.
Abstracts (c) Copyright 1993 Stephanie L. Sandy
Data transcription by: Milton Sandy, Jr. Corinth, MS - May 31, 1994