The Pee Dee Advocate, Bennettsville, SC, V32, #50, Thur., April 8, 1920:
p. 5, c. 1-2 -
THOUGHTS OF AVIATORS
TURN TO BENNETTSVILLE
------------
RUNSER AND TURNER TELL OF
THEIR EXPERIENCES
------------
Some of Which Are Not as Pleasant
as Here -- To Begin a History-
Making Tour in May
------------
Goldsboro, N.C., Sunday, April 4th, 1920.
Pee Dee Advocate, Bennettsville, S.C.
Dear Editor and Friends: As we were thinking over the many
places we have visited tonight, and comparing them, it prompted us to
write you and let you know we are still flying and shall never forget
your people and the way you welcomed us into your town. As we told you
once before, and we take the pleasure of telling you again, that we have
never visited a place, before nor since, where they treated strangers as
nice as we were treated during our stay there. You people should be
proud of your community, for there is nothing lacking. You have
clean-cut, broad-thinking, well educated people, who hustle and mind
their own business, and find enough to do without bothering the other
fellow's business. Of course this rule is broken sometimes, but we are
taking things as a whole. We think we are well qualified to say this,
for we come in touch with all kinds of people and places, and speak
according to our thoughts, from cussing them out to admiring their town.
Some times a fellow comes and taps us on the shoulder and says, "You
better go easy, old top, or you might have trouble." Answer is, "Come
on; we cover all the ground we stand on;" and so far we have received no
scratches, and still we leave them smiling.
Our experiences have been many since we left. We have it with
the farmer for landing on his alfalfa or their clover, and some times in
a place where it is so soft we cannot get off. Then we have to clear the
sides of the big road so we can fly off of it.
For the last month we have made a specialty of carrying
passengers and flying from public roads and streets. We have it with the
ministers, the policemen and sheriffs; then the secretaries of the
chambers of commerce in each town, trying to show them that aviation is a
coming thing and they should have a landing field. So far we have worked
up three towns to getting fields.
If it is not some one of these troubles, then at night they cut
the wings of our ship or steal something off of it or walk all over the
wings. But after all we do not get discouraged in developing the game.
This week we go to New York to purchase a new three passenger limousine
aerial cruiser, which we will bring back to the Carolinas for a few weeks
before we start on the world's longest history-making tour; which we will
start in month of May at Washington, D.C. If our time permits we want
to visit Bennettsville while in South Carolina, but we are not sure as to
how much time we will have to spend before we start on our trip. But
twelve months from now our trip will be over, so then we will come back
to visit your town, here real people live.
With kindest regards and best wishes to every one.
Sincerely,
Runser & Turner,
Aviators
Headquarters: Raleigh, N.C.
The News and Observer, Raleigh, NC, Sun., Apr. 25, 1920:
p. 2, c. 2 -
RUNSER AND TURNER
HAVE STORMY PASSAGE
---------
Lieutenants Harry J. Runser and Roscoe Turner arrived in the city
late yesterday afternoon from New York City with their new Avro, nine
cylinder, three passenger plane.
The two flyers had a stormy voyage and would have been here
Friday but for strong headwings, clouds and a storm when they winged out
of New York Thursday afternoon [April 22, 1920] at 5 o'clock. On
reaching Havre De Gras [sic, Havre de Grace], Maryland, they were forced
to descend and spend the night. Runser and Turner left there early
Friday morning, stopped over at Washington a short while, and reached
Raleigh late Saturday afternoon. Much of the way, the aviators stated, a
45-mile wind had to be contended with. Lieutenant Turner lost
practically everything he said but himself on account of the storm-- cap,
goggles and other articles went by the board when the vicious headwinds
were struck.
The Lenoir News-Topic, Lenoir, NC, Thurs., May 6, 1920:
p. 1 , c. 2 -
RUNSER IS COMING
WITH A BIG PLANE
--------
Wires Friends Here That He Will
Arrive About Monday- He Is
Flying Big British Three-
Passenger Cruiser
---------
Lieuts. H.J.Runser and R.Turner, who gave exhibition flights here
during fair week, will return to Lenoir early next week, according to
messages received here yesterday by friends, which read:
"Lincolnton, N.C., May 4.
"Doctor Dooley, Lenoir, N.C.
"Step lively, Doctor, and tell everybody we will be there about
May 12 with a high-powered British cruiser three-passenger airplane and
will carry anybody. So spread the news and write us at once at Asheville
if the field is all right. Best wishes.
"Lieuts. H.J.Runser and R. Turner."
"Mr. Wright, Supt. Whitnel Cotton Mill, Lenoir, N.C.
"We will fly to Lenoir about May 12 with three-passenger British
cruiser airplane on our way to Washington. Advise papers we will carry
passengers and write me at once at Asheville if the field is all right or
if plowed up. Best fishes to all."
"Lieuts. H.J. Runser and R.Turner."
The Cleveland Star, Shelby, NC, Fri., May 7, 1920:
p. , c. -
THREE-PASSENGER PLANE
AT EASTSIDE WEDNESDAY
------------
Messrs. Runser and Turner, piloting an Avro plane landed in
Shelby Wednesday afternoon about 3:30. They took several passengers up
Wednesday and Thursday. Quite a number of people went over to Eastside
to see the machine which was a three passenger and equipped with a nine
cylinder rotary motor. It was the first plane equipped with a rotary
motor to visit Shelby and many examined it although few were able to
understand how it worked, the cylinders turning with the propellor and
the crank shaft remaining stationary. The aviators intend to leave this
morning for Asheville.
The Asheville Citizen, Asheville, NC, Fri., May 7, 1920:
p. , c. -
PLANE WILL BE FORCED
TO LAND NEAR NAPLES
-----------
Advance Agent Unable to Secure Any
Place Nearer Than That 17 Miles
From City
------------
Because it was impossible to secure a landing field in or near
Asheville, the aerial cruiser in command of Lieut. Runser and Lieut.
Turner, will land at Naples, 17 miles from this city, after it flies from
Charlotte this morning.
It is possible that an exhibition flight will be made over
Asheville before the plane lands, but it is not at all assured. The
landing field at the end of the Henderson road pavement is the only one
that could be found.
Eddie M. Freeland, who is here as advance agent for the two
aviators, was on the point of wiring his two mates not to come, but stron
representations by the Board of Trade and the city officials finally
prevailed on Freeland to give up his decision.
The whole thing has served to bring to a focus the question of
having a municipal landing field here. Asheville will not be on the
route of many planes if the nearest landing field is at Naples, it is
believed.
Western North Carolina Times, Hendersonville, NC, Fri., May 14, 1920:
p. 1 , c. 4-5 -
ILLUSTRATION: [Map of U.S. with capital cities connected with zig-zag
lines]
Caption: ROUTE OF RUNSER & TURNER LINKING THE STATES BY AIR IN THE
BRITISH AVRO
LTS. HARRY J. RUNSER AND
ROSCOE TURNER VISIT HERE
----------------
Last Friday [May 7, 1920] Lieutenants Runser and Turner arrived
on time after a beautiful flight over the range near Hickory Nut Gap.
The trip was made from Shelby in 35 minutes and the landing was witnessed
by a large crowd at Naples.
The airplane used is the famous British Avro and is known amond
allied flyers as the safest plane and most remarkable for performance in
the world.
This was demonstrated Sunday [May 9, 1920] when Lieutenant Runser
would leave and land. His flying astonished the throng and American
ex-pilots stood in amazement as the big three seater would leave the
ground go straight up with absolute safety. The performance was
remarkable since the surrounding country is nearly half a mile above
sea-level, but the big Avro answered and Lieutenant Runser demonstrated
in his many flights that air travel is safe with a correctly designed
plane and Lieutenants Runser and Turner selected the British Avro after
careful consideration. Experience has taught them that performance; that
is ability to get in and out of small fields with safety; is what is
required today on account of scarcity of landing fields.
The flyers will leave soon for Washington, D.C, where they start
the long flight and promise to return to Hendersonville and Asheville
about May 1, 1921, on their last lap of the tour.
Many people in this territory have shown keen interest and three
parties have expressed desire to purchase Runser and Turner's plane but
they have referred them to New York office as they would not part with
the good bird at any price.
Many ladies and children have flown this week as people seem to
have shown more confidence in Lieutenant Runser and the big plane than
other smaller machines that have visited here.
The flyers leave with the best wishes of everyone in the
community for a safe and successful flight and with the ambition and
courage they have shown in their exhibitions here is no doubt but what
the AVRO cruiser will bring them home safely and break the world's flight
record.
The Winston-Salem Journal, Winston-Salem, NC, Mon., May 17, 1920:
p. 2, c. 2 -
ACCIDENT PREVENTED
THRILLING AIR STUNTS
----------
Daring Flier Will Walk on Wings
of Plane in Motion This Af-
ternoon at 6 O'clock.
-------------
Because of an accident to their plane Lieutenants Runser and
Turner could not make their scheduled hair-raising flights and stunts at
Maynard Field yesterday afternoon, but it is announced that this
exhibition will be pulled off this afternoon at 6 o'clock, this hour
being selected in order to permit the working people of the city to
witness the stunts.
Twenty-six passengers were carried into the air by these flyers
yesterday afternoon, and just as the last one which was to be taken up
for the day was being brought back to the earth, preparatory to the
thrills, the plane struck a rut in the field and the shock absorber
support was bent.
It is announced that the damage can be repaired in two hours and
that passengers will again be carried up this afternoon from 12 until 6
o'clock, when Lieutenant Turner will walk on the lower wing of the plane
and hang underneath the steering gear while the plane is in motion. In
case the wind is calm enough he will also walk on the top wing, a stunt
he has not attempted on the machine he is now operating.
The fliers will leave Maynard Field early Tuesday morning for
Washington, probably making a short stop in Greensboro. From Washington
they will begin a flight which will take them into every State in the
Union.
Greensboro Daily News, Greensboro, NC, Tues., May 18, 1920:
p. 4, c. 4 -
COMMERCIAL AVIATORS WILL
DO STUNTS HERE THIS WEEK
-----------------
Eddie M. Freeland, advance agent of Runser and Turner, commercial
aviators, was in the city yesterday making arrangements for a field from
which the two aviators will perform within a few days. The two men are
now in Winston-Salem and will stop in Greensboro for one day en route to
Washington. The program calls for numerous stunts.
Cobb's field, which is located several miles west of the city,
was secured by the advance agent.
The purpose of the flights is to educate the public that
commercial flying is a present, practical achievement.
The Winston-Salem Journal, Winston-Salem, NC, Wed., May 19, 1920:
p. 5, c. 2 -
TRIP TO GREENSBORO
IN FOURTEEN MINUTES
-----------
Lieutenants Runser and Turner, the dare devil fliers who so
thrilled a large percentage of the city's population Monday afternoon by
walking on the upper and lower wings of the plane, swinging from the
landing gear, etc., left the city for Greensboro yesterday afternoon with
an extra passenger, the trip being made from Winston-Salem to Greensboro
in fourteen minutes.
Douglas Chandler, who represents a New York firm, was in the city
yesterday and being in a hurry to reach Greensboro he chartered the big
British Avro cruiser for the trip over. This is probably the fastest
time ever made by a passenger between these two cities.
Within the next few days Lieutenants Runser and Turner will begin
what is said to be the longest aerial voyage undertaken. Starting from
Washington they will circumnavigate the entire United States, a trip
which will take them over every State capitol building in the nation. On
the return trip, late in the fall, the fliers expect to again come to
this city on the last lap of their long journey.
Greensboro Daily News, Greensboro, NC, Wed., May 19, 1920:
p. 1, c. 2 -
LIEUT. TURNER CAME FROM
WINSTON THROUGH THE AIR
---------------
Lieut. Roscoe Turner, of Runser and Turner, commercial aviators,
to be in Greensboro for the next two days, flew down from Winston-Salem
in his Avro cruiser and landed at Cobb's farm on the High Point road
early yesterday afternoon. He and his party are guests of the O.Henry.
Lieutenant Turner is on his way to Washington, D.C., and is soon
to start on a trip circumnavigating America. Thursday afternoon between
4 and 5 o'clock he proposes to do some thrilling stunts near Cobb's farm,
the daring acts including standing on a wing of the plane and also
standing on his head while the machine is flying 150 miles an hour.
The Avro machine is said to be a marvel for safety combined with
speed. It is of British make and was used extensively in the world war.
The Lenoir News-Topic, Lenoir, NC, Thurs., May 20, 1920:
p. 1 , c. 5 -
AVIATORS VISIT
LENOIR AGAIN
------
Runser and Turner Come Back With
Big British Two-Passenger Crui-
ser- Number of Passen-
gers Take Trips
------------
Runser and Turner, aviators, who gave exhibition flights here
during the fair last fall, returned to Lenoir last week, flying a big
British two-passenger cruising machine. While here they carried many
passengers who did not take trips through the air during the visit last
fall. They left Sunday morning [May 16, 1920] for Winston-Salem,
carrying Mr. George A. Wright, superintendent of the Whitnel cotton mill,
who made the trip with them.
Saturday afternoon [May 15, 1920] they gave an exhibition of
wing-walking sunts over the town. Runser was driving the machine,
carrying Turner, who climbed out on the wings of the ship while it was
thousands of feet over Lenoir. His walking across the wings and swinging
under the ship gave Lenoir folks a thrill such as never was experienced
before.
The two aviators were en route from Washington, from which place
they plan a cross-country trip. They will visit every State capital and
every town of any importance in the United States before returning to
North Carolina.
The Pee Dee Advocate, Bennettsville, SC, Thur., May 20, 1920:
p. 10, c. 1 -
AIRPLANE TOUR OF COUNTRY
The Charlotte Observer publishes a map showing the proposed
itinerary of Lieutenants Turner and Runser, who expect to start from
Washington and fly to the capital of every state in the Union making a
total trip of 50,000 miles.
Lieutenants Turner and Runser are the aviators who spent some
time here during the winter, and recently wrote a letter to The Advocate,
telling of their appreciation and the treatment they received in
Bennettsville.
Trenton Sunday Times-Advertiser, Trenton, NJ, Sun., May 30, 1920:
p. , c. -
AVIATORS MAKING
STOP IN TRENTON
-------
Lieutenants Harry J. Runser and Roscoe Turner, former army
aviators and now held in reserve by the government, dropped into Trenton
last evening at 6:40 o'clock on the first lap of their "circumaviating
America" flight. The flyers, piloting an Avro cruiser, an English
machine, left Atlantic City at 5:40 o'clock, making the trip here in one
hour flat.
The descent was made at South Broad and Stanton Streets, but this
morning the men planned to fly their machine to Stacy Park, where it will
remain at least until next Tuesday. There is a possibility of the
aviators remaining for the balance of the week.
It is the intention of Runser and Turner to visit every state in
the Union, making the capital cities their objectives. They will give
daily exhibitions and carry passengers for short flights.
Runser is the pilot and Turner performs acrobatic stunts on the
wings of the plane and from the landing gear. His feats are similar to
those employed by Locklear, who was seen at the Trenton Fair last season.
1920 CONTINUED -- JUNE
Abstracts (c) Copyright 1993 Stephanie L. Sandy
Data transcription by: Milton Sandy, Jr. Corinth, MS - July 13, 1993