1994 Newspaper Stories-

The Daily Corinthian, Corinth, MS, Fri., Aug. 19, 1994:
p. 1, c. 3-5 -

Photos:  [Caption- Below work is completed on a photo opportunity
         billboard.  The smiling face at right is Ellis Rhett.  Staff
         photos by Mike McEwen]

FLYIN' HIGH WITH ROSCOE TURNER

By M.L.Sandy Jr.
Special to The Daily Corinthian

      Visitors to this year's 9th Annual Roscoe Turner Balloon Race will
be able to picture themselves along for a flying lesson with pioneer
aviator Roscoe Turner around 1922-23.  A billboard sized mural of pilot
Roscoe Turner flying a vintage Curtiss Jenny aircraft over Corinth will
have a head sized cutout that visitors can utilize to go back in time and
picture themselves in souvenir snapshots for a unique momento of their
visit to Corinth.  The mural will be located at the entrance to the
Balloon Race field at the airport.

      Roscoe Turner's first aircraft in Corinth was a vintage Curtiss
Jenny which he rebuilt from the salvage of several other scrap planes
with the help of Corinth aviation pioneer E.F.Waits.  Roscoe Turner was
married in this plane in September, 1924.  Later, this plane became the
foundation for Roscoe Turner's Flying Circus which performed barnstorming
stunts and exhibitions throughout the Mid-South.

     Visitors in the picture with Roscoe will be seen flying over Turner
Hill in West Corinth with Roscoe's boyhood home pictured below them.  In
the distance over the next hill can be seen the skyline of 1920's
Corinth.

      The buzzard in the mural is historically accurate as well.  On
Sunday, April 24, 1921, Roscoe and his partner were in a mid-air, head-on
collision with a buzzard over Columbia, South Carolina, which ended
fatally for the buzzard and for the propellor of the airplane.  Roscoe
later warned passengers to watch out for buzzards, a real hazard in the
days of flying with goggles, leather caps, and open cockpits.

      The art for the Roscoe Turner mural was created and painted by
Ricky Johnson of Corinth and was sponsored by Deposit Guaranty Bank.
Additional assistance was provided by James Franks and Franks Curtis of
Custom Cabinets Co., Milton Sandy, Jr. of M.L. Sandy Lumber Sales Co.,
Inc., Jim Johnson of Handy Man Rentals, Eddie LaFavour of Comcast
Cablevision, and Beverly Hussey of Structural Products Co.  Creative
contributions were provided by talented family members, Howard Johnson,
Ricky's father, and brother, Jerry Johnson.

     Visitors may also wish to check out the Museum while in Corinth.
During this year's Balloon Race, the Northeast Mississippi Museum will
feature a special exhibit of Roscoe Turner memorabilia.  Advertising and
postal items associated with Roscoe Turner will be on display.  Videos
pertaining to Roscoe Turner's career will be available for special
showings.