The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1918-01-19
THE BIl,D-MAN'S VISIT.

this week. Several aviators, on
scouting trips, visited this section,
landing at several points in this
vicinity, and 10y these acts attract
ed large crowds, notwithstanding
Indictment weather III several in
stances.
On last Sunday one of these
aviators effected a landing in a
pasture IN the western part of this
city. There was a pretty stiff
wind blowing at the time and in
consequence the dying machine
drifted till its planes were entan
glcd in the branches Of a small
tree, barely above the dimen
sious of a bush. This accident
swung the machine around rather
abruptly, throwing undue pressure
upon certain parts, causing sew
eral breaks, which resulted III put
ing the machine out of commission
temporarily. 1t was found, after
a careful inspection, that certain
new parts would have to be order
ed to replace those which were
damaged. They were wired for.
The operator gave his name as
Frederick N. Byerly, connected
with the government aviation
camp, near Lake Charles, and
home and permanent address as
Chicago, III. He was promptly
accorded every assistance within
the power of this people, helping
him to acquire every needed lnfor
nation and to repair all injuries
his machine had sustained. Mr.
Silvio BIoussard, the postmaster
at this point, and Mr.. Henry Gal
lois, the manager of the Cumber
land Telephone Exchange of this
city, together with number of
others, rendered valuable and pa
triotic assistance in getting the
machine free of its entaDglements,
giving directions and information,
and in assisting in keeping the Gu
rious crowds back and away from
the crippled machine.
Information of the accident was
wired to the camp together with a
request for duplicate parts where
needed, in consequence Of the
breaks. In a short while another
flying machine was seen approach
ing from the west. The new com
or brought a mechanician and
such parts as were needed. After
a few hours Of dilligent work the
injuries we're all repaired and the
machine again made ready for
flight.
On Tuesday, during the noon.
hour, with ideal atmospheric con
ditioDs, trial fight was made,
the machine circling over and
about the town several times I'D
several directions. The machine
made loud hummDg noise which
heralded it's coming and attracted
the attention of practically the en-
tire population. Later in the aft
ernoon of the same day the flyer
started another fight, heading in
a northwesterly direction, closely
followed by another machine. In
a few minutes both machines dis
appeared from view as they wend
ed their way back to the aviation
camp.
Mr. Byerly was uDstinted in biz
praise of the manner of his recep
ton by this people and the uni
form many kindnesses extended to
him the entire time of his etay.
1t is pleasing to note that every
one seemed disposed to comply
promptly with every requirement.
Of the Federal Law, once it was
explained to them. Not only
were they willing to comply with
the requirements themselves, but
they were disposed to see that no
uniformed new conner would blum
der into the dong of any restrict
ed thing. During the enforcement
of these regulations a "small boy"
found 1t restful to support his
body by resting his elbow upon a.
part of the frame of the machine
while he was interestedly watch
ing the proceedings Of those who
were st work upon tho machine.
Several Of those so engaged he
knew rs citizens of this place. If
they were priviledged to touch the
machine, why was he nots SO,
when he was Informed that he
would be put out of the pasture If
1t became necessary to tell him
again to keep away from the ma
chine, he moved a few feet away,
wearing q dark scowl on his count
nance and grumbllDg half to him
self-"Dis pasture Amt yonrs.n