Evening star., 1912-09-12
DROPS TO HIS DEATH.
Paul Peck, Capital Aviator,
Killed in Chicago.
FIGHTS HARD FOR LIFE
Works Feverishly With Levers
While Plunging Toward Earth.
FUNERAL IN WASHINGTON
Filler May Be Buried Beside Young
Wife, Who Succumbed Only
Few Months Ago.

Arrangements for the funeral of Paul
Peck. the young Washington aviator
killed In Chicago yesterday, are now be-
ing made by his relatives here The
body probably will arrive here tomorrow
and plans are being made for the funeral
to be held Sunday afternoon from the
residence of his mother-in-law, Mrs.
Elizabeth Owens. 1924 r street. Peck
probably will be buried in Rockville beside
his young wife. Ruth Owens Peck. who
died this spring after the birth Of their
child.
Peck had attempted a spiral glide. just
before his fatal injury, but turned his
machine at too sharp an angle and
plunged from q height OF 200 feet. the
heavy engine and gasoline tank striking
him across the neck and back.
He had been making flights at Cicero
Field and in spite of the gusty wind and
the warnings Of Director Andrew Drew
biplane which he designed. It had a span
Of only twenty-six feet and he believed
that this would insure his safety, even
in the wind.
He planned to use the machine in
the International meet today, and was
making trial flight. He left the
ground perfectly and rose to 500 feet.
Then he began to descend in a spiral
glide. His machine dipped too much
and slid in toward the vortex. He
1t and bring 1t back, but he could not.
He worked his levers feverisly un-
til within 200 feet of the ground. Then
the machine dipped suddenly and shot
straight downward. Even then. Di-
rector Drew believes, he would have
escaped with minor injuries but for
the fact that the heavy engine and
tank. breaking from their fastenings.
crashed through the framework Of the
biplane upon him. He was hurled to
he died.
Had Been Filler One Year.
Peck was only twenty-five years old
and had been flying just about a year.
He was born in West Virginia and trav-
eled abroad. On returning to this coun-
try he started to driving and selling au-
tomobiles He was a good gasoline en-
gine man and when he took up aero
p.aning. he quickly mastered the ma
chine. In fact, his qualification for his
aeroplane pilots license was a record. He
won his license nine days after he had
started flying.
His first experience in the air was with
the Rex Smith Aeroplane Company at
College Park. He flew the old Rex Smith
biplane and made one flight over Wash
ington. landing on the polo field at Po-
tomac Park. He afterward flew back to
College Park. Peck was with the Rex
Smith Company only a short time and
then Joined Emile Ber,iner, the tele-
phone man. of Washington, who was
manufacturing the gyro motor Peck,
with the collaboration Of Robert Moore
Of the Berliner factory and j. Lee Sim
mons. another Of the Berliner men, de-
signed the Columbia bip,ane This was
small One-man machine and very
speedy and handy.
The death Of Mrs. Peck. several months
ago. was sudden. After the birth of the
baby to the young couple Mrs. Peck
weakened, and when in danger of death
TRANSMISSION OF blood was tried, her hus-
band submitting to the operation in the
vain hope OF saving her life. The baby
was tiny. but lived. and now is in the
care of its maternal grandmother, Mrs.
Elizabeth Owens Of 1924 r street north
west. Miss BERTHE Peck. sister of the
dead aviator. Is a trained nurse at George
Washington University Hospital.
Retirement Expected.
After the death of his wife Peck con-
tinued to ny. 1t had been expected that
he would give up aviation after his re-
turn to Washington at the close OF the
Chicago meet He always was considered
a careful aviator. and never attempted
any of the apparently reckless aerial per-
formances of Lincoln Bea:hy and some OF
the other exhibition aviators. but it is
stated that recently he became rather
Peck accompanied the army officers in
a flight from College Park to Chevy
Chase Club where the Langley day
memorial exercises were held May 8. Aft.
erward. at Mineola. he established an
American endurance record Of hours
Mrs. Owens. the aviator's mother-in-
law, was at the apartment OF her son.
Charles Francis Owens. In the Arden
1920 r street northwest. when the tidings
her last night. She was at first told tina,
the aviator had sustained slight injuries
while making a flight at Chicago bu,
efforts to reassure her were futile, as she
seemed to know that the accident was far
more serious than those who We're with
her would say.
She was taken back to her apartment In
the Ripley, 1924 r street, by her son, and
q little later was told the truth-that her
son-in-law was dead In Chicago hos
pital.
Mrs. Owens. the grandmother, is al
most prostrated by the death Of her son.
| in-law. following so closely upon that OF
his girl-wife.
Peck,s father and mother live at sulli
van. w. Va. where the young avtato,
| was born. News OF his death was con.
yeyed to them last night by his sister
Miss Berthe Peck. The young man wal
q partner In the Peck-Gish Company
which has q garage at 17th and u streets
northwest. his partner being Bradley Gish
and the Arm having been in business only
| few months.
Mrs. Picket Brought to This City.