The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-02-16
Noted Dancer Loses Life When His Machine Falls
 in Practice Flight
HAD WON HONORS ON
 FRENCH BATTLE LINE
Was the Fifth Man to Die Within Week at Fort Worth Training
 Grounds

Fort Worth, Tex, February Is. Capt. Vernon Castle of the royal fly ing corps, who braved death for more than n year over the German lines with only n minor wound, met death on peaceful flying field today in an effort to avert n collision with an- other aviator. The cadet aviator with whom he wns flying, H. Peters, was only slightly injured.
 Captain Castle, widely known as a dancer was killed when he prevented what would have been certain death for him. the cadet with him and an aviator In another plane who was landing nearby at what is known as blind angle'' The avia- tor could not see Castles machine, which was on the ground. and did not hear it because of his own engine.
 HIS ENGINE DIED
 Captain Castle saw the collision coming and "zoomed up 75 feet but went at such an angle that his engine died. un- able to push the plane father. So close was the escape from serious collision that Castles plane struck the other planes tail, smashing it.
 Castles plane turned on it's side. then plunged downward to earth. He sought to right it but there was not time enough.
 Had he been 20 feet higher he could have landed safely.
 CtnnnnVxY rNr ~ AATn
 Captain Castle was one of the best liked men on the aviation fields. Tears streamed down the cheeks of officers and men as they worked releasing his saoly ria.ais;ta 30as fsoh, vsscleas plane. All Fort Worth, CAinp Bowie and the aviation fields plainly showed the deepest regret at his tragic death.
 The funeral, the largest and perhaps the most impressive ever held here. will be attended tomorrow afternoon by of ficers and cadets of the royal flying and the American flying squadrons.
 A detachment from the royal flying corps will escort the body to New York for burial.
 FIFTH DEATH IN WEEK
 Dallas, Tex, February 15.-The death of Capt. Vernon Castle at Fort Worth was the fifth in the aviation camps in that city within week. one fatal accident has occurred within the same time in Houston and one in Wichita Falls.
 fA. t1tu at Fort Worth to s1 as compared with seven at Houston, three at San An tonic. two at Wichita Falls and one. each at Dallas and Waco.
 BRAVE MANS DEATH
 New York, February 15.--Although prostrated by the news of the death of her husband. Capt. Vernon Castle, who fell today during a flight near. Fort Worth, Tex, Mrs. Irene Foote Castle paid tribute to his courage after receiving . telegram confirming the accident. She refused to believe the news at first
 Tt was brave mans death and it is rot woman's part to complain" was all she said.
 Mrs. Castle still was under the care of physician tonight. It was said she was resting quietly, but was still suf- fering greatly from shock.
 Hundreds of telegrams of condolence from all over the country poured in on Mrs Castle today and tonight Broad way was stunned by the news of the tro y;o r,F hn Co. | soldier. and messages of sympathy were sent to Mrs. Castle by every theatrical organization in the city and by scores of friends who now are in New York.
 NATIONAL REPUTATION
 New York. February 15.-vernon Castle had national reputation as a dancer. Ills home was here. With his wife, also a graceful dancer. he at- tained great popularity several years ago as teacher of modern dances. When the war broke out both of the Castles became interested in war work and MT. Castle took up aviation.
 He was granted an ayiator's pilot
  February 9. 1s16. after having made a satisfactory record in test flights at Newport News, Va. He was born in Norwich. England, May ?. 1887.
 VERNON BLYTHE
 His right name was Vernon Blythe. Soon after receiving his aviator license he sailed from New York for England, to join the British aerial service. Tn March of 1916 he was ap- pointed temporary lieutenant in the British royal flying corps. Shortly aft- erward there came a report of his death while flying in France.
 Castle returned from the French front in April. 1917. and joined the royal flying corps in Canada as an instructor with the rank of captain. The following month he was reported to have had a narrow escape from death in an accident while flying at Camp Mohawk. The cadet who was flying with Captain Castle in the ma | I~.~ X I~t1