The Staunton News Leader, Staunton, VA, Wed., June 16, 1920:
p. 1, c. 1 -
EXPECT AIRPLANE
-------
Secretary Ralston of the Chamber of Commerce had a telegram
yesterday asking him to be on the lookout for an airplane which is making
a tour of the country in behalf of aviation. The plane is expected the
latter part of the week.
The Staunton News-Leader, Staunton, VA, Thurs., June 17, 1920:
p. 1, c. 2 -
ALL VISITING
AIRMEN URGE
LANDING FIELD
----------
Every Birdman Coming to Staunton
Says City Would Profit By Es-
tablishment of Haven for Air-
planes; Airmen Now Here Dis-
cusses Question.
-----------
Agitation for the establishment of an aviation landing field here
is furthered by every airman visiting Staunton recently. The Chamber of
Commerce has referred the matter to a committee of which Charles S.
Hunter is chairman, but no definite action has been taken. Advocates of a
Staunton landing field maintain that the advantages of having a permanent
haven for the birdmen, who are coming this way with increasing frequency,
would be many.
Eddie M. Freeland, an aviator who is in the city arranging for an
exhibition flight here Sunday, discussed the question of a permanent
landing field with a News-Leader reporter last night.
"It might seem to some people that Staunton would be jumping the
gun" a little in establishing a landing field this early in commercial
flying game," said Mr. Freeland, "but as an aviator who is boosting
commercial flying with all confidence in its early development in the
United States to a stage equalling or surpassing foreign countries, I am
sure that this city would make no mistake in establishing a field.
Visitors To Increase
If Staunton was an official landing place, your city would be shown
on all aero maps, and airmen would probably come out of their way to stop
here, knowing that there would be a good landing, and supplies of gas and
oil readily available. There is no other established landing field for
several hundred miles, and by getting in the game early, Staunton would
attract ever increasing visitors form the air.
"Many other cities are establishing fields, some by municipal
appropriation, and others by private citizens, the latter charging
reasonable fees and making a good thing out of it. Near Asheville, N.
C., a farmer has given use of a field, requiring only that the city pay
him for the hay that he had formerly raised on it about $50 a year.
Winston-Salem has a fine field, and it is a mecca for all airmen flying
in the South.
"The postal air service is growing steadily; soon, airplanes are
going to be used for express and other commercial purposes, including
passenger service. If you secure a landing field here now, it will be a
leverage for future patronage from the air on a large scale, and
undoubtedly will put Staunton on the government routes which are certain
to be developed in a few years."
Mr. Freeland represents Runser Turner, a firm which is sending an
airplane on a nation-wide flight to increase interest in flying as a
foundation for developing commercial service via the air.
The Staunton News Leader, Staunton, VA, Thur., June 17, 1920:
p. 1, c. 5 -
AIRMEN PLAN
DARING EXHIBITION
HERE SUNDAY.
----------
Eddie M. Freeland, advance agent for Lts. Runser and Turner, who
are making a tour of the United States, has arrived in Staunton and gives
the following information in regard to the plane landing here and the
motives for the trip, mention of which was made yesterday:
The two lieutenants and himself are travelling over the entire
United States for the purpose of stimulating public interest in
commercial aviation, and to cover the entire country in order to map it
and mark desirable landing points.
They are in a three-passenger British Avro crusier, propelled by
a nine-cylinder motor which develops 120 H.P. but which only weighs 270
pounds. Lt. Turner will do several daring stunts such as walking across
the wing, standing on his head on it, hanging from the sterring gear by
his feet and several other tricks which require nerve and courage. Lt.
Runser will pilot the plane during its stay here and during the acts. A
series of lectures will be given to the public at the field and in order
to help defray expenses, a small number of passengers will be taken over
the city. Any person wishing to make arrangements for a flight may
communicate with Mr. Freeland at the Beverley hotel.
They are to arrive Sunday, and the exhibition is to be given on
Sunday afternoon.
The Staunton News-Leader, Staunton, VA, Thurs., June 17, 1920:
p. 2, c. 1-3 -
[advertisement] -
BY SPECIAL
ARRANGEMENT
With Runser and Turner
This store has booked for Tuesday, June 22nd, a Special Flight of their
Aerial Cruiser, covering the main points in Augusta and Adjoining
territory, leaving Staunton about 9:30, weather permitting, look for our
message from the sky --
ROUTE:
From Staunton to Waynesboro
" Waynesboro to New Hope
" New Hope to Verona
" Verona to Spring Hill
" Spring Hill to Parnassus
" Parnassus to Churchville
" Churchville to Craigsville
" Craigsville to Middlebrook
" Middlebrook to Greenville
" Greenville to Stuart's Draft
And Return to Staunton
WHILE INTERESTED IN AVIATION WE HAVE IN NO WAY ADVOCATED THE
SUNDAY FLIGHT
BRYAN'S DEPARTMENT STORE
"Leads in Value Giving"
The Staunton News-Leader, Staunton, VA, Sat., June 19, 1920:
p. 1, c. 2 -
BRYAN CHARTERS
AIRPLANE TO VISIT
COUNTY PATRONS
-----------
J. Harry Bryan, of the Bryan department store, has made
arrangements for the airplane which arrives here tomorrow to make a tour
of the county, in order that the many patrons of the Bryan store who will
be unable to see the exhibition here may have a glimpse of the plane.
This was announced last night by E. M. Freeland, advance agent for Runser
and Turner, who plan a flight here Sunday.
Mr. Bryan is greatly interested in the progress of aviation. Mr.
Freeland said, and engaged the Runser-Turner plane for a county tour
because many county people have never seen a flying machine, the Bryan
department store thus affording some of its patrons a rare treat.
The county tour probably will be made Monday or Tuesday, and the
itinerary will be:
Staunton to Waynesboro, Basic, New Hope, Churchville, Craigsville,
to Waynesboro again, and back to Staunton. The airmen may do a few
stunts over each of the principal towns included in the itinerary.
Mr. Freeland said that tentative arrangements have been made for a
lecture Monday night at the Y. M. C. A., by one of the visiting airmen in
behalf of the Chamber of Commerce's proposal for a permanent landing
field here. The lecture will include, he said, some of the airmen's
thrilling experiences as a war-flier.
The Staunton News Leader, Staunton, VA, Tues., June 22, 1920:
p. 1, c. -
RAIN SETTLES
SUNDAY FLIGHT;
EXHIBITION TODAY
--------------
Jupiter Pluvius settled the question of a Sunday airplane flight
which had been the subject of condemnation by the ministers of the city.
Sunday, the day of the proposed exhibition of Messrs. Runser and Turner
former war fliers, was a day of torrential downpours, and the flight was
postponed.
Yesterday, the airmen flew to Waynesboro, expecting to return in
the latter part of the afternoon for an exhibition and passenger flights.
Mr. Turner stated last night that the plane was caught in a severe wind
and rain storm at Waynesboro, and that they were delayed so that it was
impracticable to return here for the air show last evening. "We were
exceedingly sorry to disappoint Staunton," said Mr. Turner, "but we have
no control over the weather." He said the wind was so bad at Waynesboro
that it required half a dozen men to hold his plane.
Miss Leola Miller flew to Waynesboro with the airmen.
Today, Mr. Turner said, the plane will fill its engagement for a
county tour in behalf of the Bryan department store. Mr. Bryan having
booked a circuit of the county for the benefit of some of his patrons who
have seen little of nothing of air machines. Bryan literature will be
dropped.
About noon, the airmen expect to be over Staunton, and Mr. Turner
said last night that he would walk out on the wings of his plane while
the machine is directly over the business district. A further exhibition
will follow at the Lyle field. Spring Hill road, and for the rest of the
afternoon, passenger flights will be made. This will be the only day of
flights here. The plane will remain over until Thursday, but the
aviators have business engagements at several of the surrounding towns.
Mr. Turner invites business men of the city and people generally
who are interested in aviation to meet with him at the Y.M.C.A. tonight
at 8:30 o'clock, when he will talk on the future of commercial aviation.
He will also discuss the advantages of establishing a permanent landing
field here.
The Staunton News-Leader, Staunton, VA, Wed., June 23, 1920:
p. 3, c. 6 -
AIRMEN MAKE
PASSENGER TRIPS
---------
Four passengers flights were made by Aviators Turner and Runser
in their British Avro plane yesterday, from Lyle field, on the Spring
Hill road. A crowd of several hundred people gathered to see the
exhibition which the airmen had announced, but they limited their stunts
to a walk out on the upper wing because of the high wind. Aviator Turner
walked out a few feet from the cockpit on one of the flights.
It was some time before the airmen succeeded in securing any
passengers, but about four-thirty, a pair were secured, and thereafter a
total of four flights of about ten minutes each were made. Those
accompanying the airmen into the heavens reported an enjoyable
experience.
The airmen said last night that they would carry passengers again
today.
Mr. Turner was at the Y.M.C.A. last night to speak on aviation and
its future in America to any who might be interested, but only a small
audience was present.
The aviators will leave Thursday morning for Covington, weather
permitting. Mr. Turner said last night that the weather had been so bad
here that he had to disappoint Staunton in regard to exhibition flights,
and that for this reason he has arranged to stay over today. If the
weather permits this afternoon, he promises to do some stunts or the
delectation of the spectators. He cannot state what hour his exhibition
will be given because of the uncertainty of the weather.
Fulton Democrat, McConnellsburg, PA, Thurs, June 24, 1920:
p. 1, c. -
AIR PLANE LIGHTS HERE
-----
Friday after noon of last week [June 18, 1920] an air plane lit
in D.A.Washabaugh's meadow, just southwest of McConnellsburg and
announced that they would take any one a flight for the sum of $20.00.
In the evening E.R.McClain of this place and Minnick Mellott and son Paul
of Saluvia were the first to take a flight. Mr. Mellott's son, Paul is
only five years old and no doubt is the youngest lad in this county and
possibly in adjoining counties, that have sailed through the air.
We have been informed by those who timed the machine from the
time it started until it came back, that it was in the air only nine
minutes.
The second flight was made with John Kelso and Bonnie Regi, and
the time in the air was only seven minutes.
Considering the time they were in the air the price charged each
for the flight, it was generally considered too expensive.
Had they charged one dollar a minute many more people would have
availed themselves of the opportunity of taking a flight, and no doubt
they would have been busy taking flights all day Saturday.
The car was occupied by two men, both dressed in English
Uniforms. They left Saturday morning [June 19, 1920] about 9 o'clock for
Va.
Fulton County News, McConnellsburg, PA, Thurs, June 24, 1920:
p. 1, c. -
HAD RIDE IN AIRPLANE
While airplanes have been soaring high above the surrounding
mountain tops by McConnellsburg residents, it was not until last Friday
afternoon that our people had a chance to see one of those birds at close
range. About three o'clock a plane came across the mountain east of
town, soared over the town a few minutes and then, like a giant hawk,
swooped and alighted in Washabaugh's meadow south of the bridge at the
west end of town.
The plane was a nine-cylinder Avro, and was driven by Messrs.
Runston & Turner, who were aviators in France during the World War.
Their mission to McConnellsburg was to give our citizens an opportunity
to take a ride thru the air at twenty dollars per. While the fare seemed
a little steep for a five minutes' cruise, we had the sports who had the
nerve and the bucks, and when 7 o'clock in the evening, the time for
making the flights came, the pilots did not have to wait for applicants.
The first passengers were Ernest R. McClain of town, and Minnick Mellott
and his little five-year-old-son of Saluvia. In the presence of several
hundred spectators, the huge bird left the meadow and glided gracefully
upward until it had attained a height of 2500 feet, traveling southward
until it reached Rockhill schoolhouse in Ayr township, thence across the
Cove to Cito, thence northward along the east side of the Cove to the
foot of the Ridge, thence south to the place of the beginning, as the
surveyors say, and landed as gracefully and safely as when they started
out.
Bonnie Regi and John Kelso were the next to mount the aerial
steed and they were taken over practically the same route. By this time
it was growing late in the evening, and the exhibition closed.
Saturday morning [June 19, 1920] quite a crowd assembled in the
meadow, but as no one seemed anxious, the aviators swung their machine
into the air, and headed for Staunton, Va.
These gentlemen are travelling over the country for what they can
make out of it giving exhibitions and taking persons up for a five or
ten-minute ride. There were several more persons who would have
patronized them while here,if the price had been lower- say ten or
fifteen dollars.
The plane is said to have cost new about $6000-- about the same
as a good automobile.
The Staunton News-Leader, Staunton, VA, Thurs., June 24, 1920:
p. 1, c. 4 -
AIRMEN LEAVE FOR
COVINGTON TODAY
--------
After a five-day stay in Staunton, during which trips were made
here and into the county, Lts. Runser and Turner, circumaviating America,
will leave today for Covington, where they will give exhibition flights.
From Covington the aviators go to Roanoke, and thence to Big Stone Gap,
where Eddie M. Freeland is now arranging for their reception.
The British Avro, used by Messrs. Runser and Turner, did not go up
yesterday. Lt. Turner stated last night that nobody wished to take a
trip yesterday, there being not more than six persons on the field at any
one time during the afternoon. Mr. Turner said it is possible they may
return to Staunton again.
The Staunton News Leader, Staunton, VA, Thur., June 24, 1920:
p. 1, c. -
STAUNTON AND
COUNTY-SIDE
FROM AIRPLANE
-----------
"That looks like a coffin to me."
To the person seated in the cockpit of an airplane and just about
to make his initial flight such a statement from someone standing on
solid ground near the machine has a tendency to make the prospective
passenger just a little dubious about certain things, among others
whether he will return safely to old mother earth. Possibly the
passenger already had revolved such thoughts in his mind, but if not,
comparison of an airplane and coffin certainly would have a tendency to
do so.
A representative of The Leader papers Tuesday afternoon a few
minutes after five o'clock was a guest of Lts. Runser and Turner,
circumaviating America, on a flight of about ten miles over the city.
Although it was the newspapermen's first sky trip, yet he believes a more
pleasant one could hardly be experienced. He has seen a number of other
machines take off and land, but cannot believe a getaway and landing
could be made more smoothly than the one Tuesday.
The machine glided smoothly over the ground while the engine
gathered speed and when sufficient momentum had been attained, the big
man-made bird began to take to the air equally as smoothly. He had been
told by his fellow-passenger, Howard Beech, who had been up once
previously while in the army, that the getaway was bumpy. Therefore the
scribe looked for rough sailing, but was agreeably disappointed.
Everything was "just right," he says. From the northern part of Lyle's
field, on the Spring Hill road, the machine headed due south, but once
off the ground immediately was steered in a southwesterly direction, the
propellor whirring directly in the face of the wind. It is aerial
diplomacy to take off and land toward the wind, it was pointed out.
The machine quickly climbed to an altitude of between 2000 and
3000 feet, which was maintained through the nine-minute flight. The
machine took its two passengers westward over Highland park and continued
its journey to Buttermilk Spring, skirting Plunkettsville on west.
Turning made the scribe grab hold of the side of his seat, for, he says,
it is on the turn that he calculated most on the distance from his perch
to the ground. With the plane "blanked" to something less than
forty-five degrees it appeared as if just a light breeze would upset the
machine. Despite any uncomfortableness the news writer may have had,
this and each succeeding "corner" was executed dexterously.
From Buttermilk Springs the plane moved very swiftly east and the
next turn was over Betsy Bell, circling over Putnam's Organ factory, back
to the center of the city for another circle, and then a semi-spiral
glide over north Augusta street and thence gradually downward until the
landing field was reached in safety. The machine skipped over the ground
about twice before it finally settled to an easy rolling motion that
continued until the plane stopped.
From observations made by the scribe, in his ignorance of the
tricks and trade of flying, he was of the opinion that Lt. Harry J.
Runser, his pilot was all O.K. Not once did he attempt anything
sensational, much to the writer's satisfaction, and at all times had
complete control of the machine. Lt. Runser says that in the commercial
flying game he never tries any stunts with passengers aboard.
Probably at no time of the year would Staunton and the
surrounding territory perceivable while riding in the air appear more
beautiful than at present. Just after the recent rains that refreshed
the entire countryside the scene was very beautiful. The entire
landscape appeared as if flat, only the largest hills being recognized.
The green fields, woods, intermingled with carefully tilled ground and
growing gardens presented an ideal picture. When passing over Staunton
the Fairground lake is continually in view. The reservoir is also in
prominence. In the business section the Augusta National bank building
can easily be distinguished because of its color. Staunton Military
academy could hardly be overlooked; in fact after a passenger gets the
lay of the land almost any large building or spot can be recognized.
From the altitude of 2000 to 3000 feet a railroad track appears about one
foot wide, and a horse and buggy are just beginning to become
indistinguishable.
The entire trip was very enjoyable, says the scribe, despite the
fact that a spectator's remark compared the big British Avro 3-passenger
cruiser, with its 120 h.p. rotary motor weighing but 270 pounds, to a
coffin just before the trip began.
The Valley Virginian, Waynesboro, VA, Friday, June 25, 1920:
p. 1, c. 3 -
...Five airplanes were seen to pass over the Blue Ridge, near
Afton, during the past week. We believe almost everyone saw them; if
they didn't it was their own fault. We understand some of the teamsters
had a pretty tough time to hold their teams, as they became so frightened
from the noise of the engine....
The Staunton News Leader, Staunton, VA, Fri., June 25, 1920:
p. 2, c. 2 -
AVIATORS LEAVE
------
Aviators Runser and Turner, who have been here for the last five
days, left yesterday for Covington, where they will give aerial
exhibitions. After visiting two more cities they will go to North
Carolina to incorporate a company of their own.
A dozen or so people took advantage of the opportunity to fly
while the aviators were here.
The Covington Virginian, Covington, VA, Fri., June 25, 1920:
p. , c. -
AVIATORS HAVE ARRIVED
-------------------
Exhibitions to be given
Saturday and Sunday afternoons
-------------------
Lieutenants Harry Runser and Roscoe Turner arrived in Covington
Thursday afternoon [June 24, 1920] at 1:30 o'clock, making the trip from
Staunton to this point in exactly 50 minutes, a distance of 70 miles!
The Lieutenants are circunaviating America and up to the present
time have already visited 20 states. They will visit every state in the
union. They are traveling in a British Avro Cruiser, with a 9 cylinder
rotary motor. This model was used during the world war as a fighting
plane and is one of the best types on the market today,
The only reason the aviators honored Covington with a visit is that
they are booked to fly at Big Stone Gap, July 4, and stopped off at
Covington to spend the week end, having heard that the citizens here were
very much interested in aviation.
The Lieutenants have promised us some very spectacular flying for
Saturday afternoon and Sunday at which time they will give such
exhibitions as wing walking, hanging by the feet from the landing gear,
standing on their heads and many other dare-devil stunts, with the plane
traveling at a rate of I0O miles an hour.
The aviators said the Covington citizens will have an opportunity to
fly in a real plane and that they will take up any one wishing to
traverse the air.
The exhibitions to be given are merely to demonstrate the safeness
of a plane if properly controlled. The purpose of the flights is to aid
aviation and for educational purposes.
Lieutenants Runser and Turner have gained for themselves quite a
reputation in their daring stunts at other places and the citizens of
Covington and Alleghany county ate eagerly looking forward to seeing them
perform.
There will be no flights during church hours Sunday. Miss Corinne
Noell will be the first young lady to make a flight.
The Covington Virginian, Covington, VA, Mon., June 28, 1920:
p. , c. -
NO EXHIBITIONS GIVEN
---------------------
No exhibitions were given at Mallow Sunday afternoon as only a
few persons were on the field at 6 o'clock at the time of the exhibitions
were to be given. [Per Mrs. Virginia Smith of the Allegheny Highlands
Genealogical Society, 605 Dolly Ann Drive, Covington, VA 24426, this
field was the area later used for the fair grounds and is today covered
with a shopping mall- 5/18/1994.]
Arrangements are trying to be made with a local firm for
exhibitions to be given over Covington for the benefit of their
customers.
Since the landing of the airmen here Thursday afternoon, 17
passengers have made the flights. Lieutenant Turner in an interview this
afternoon, stated that any one desiring to make a flight before they left
Covington could do so by seeing them at the Collins Hotel.
Lieutenant Runser left Sunday evening [June 27, 1920] for Bluefield
and Beckley, West Virginia, where they have been asked to make flights to
look over the landing fields at those points.
Quite a number of questions have been asked as to the uniforms worn
by the aviators. Some are under the impression that they are British
airmen as the uniforms resemble those worn by the British. Both
Lieutenant Runser and Turner hail from Indiana and Mississippi and are
Americans. They served in the World War and are now reserve officers. The
uniforms are their own and were designed for the tour of America by air.
The Big Stone Gap Post, Big Stone Gap, Wise Cty, VA, Wed., June 30, 1920:
p. 2, c. 2 -
AEROPLANE
FLIGHTS
--------
Here Saturday
July 3rd.
The management of the celebration has arranged for spectacular
aeroplane exhibition flights here on July 3rd. The machine is equipped to
carry passengers and will arrive here on Friday piloted by Lieut. Runser
and his mechanician, Taylor [s/b Turner]. Flights will also be made on
Friday afternoon.
1920 CONTINUED -- JULY - SEP
Abstracts (c) Copyright 1993 Stephanie L. Sandy
Data transcription by: Milton Sandy, Jr. Corinth, MS - July 13, 1993