The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1919-01-02
REAL FLIGHT OVER HAYS
Lieutenant Dougherty, Former F. H
N. Boy, Gives Exhibition With
Army AirPlane While Thou
sands APplauded.


/ Army Airplane While Thou
sands APplauded-
/ STORM DELAYED DEPARTURE
To enlist at the outbreak of the wal
as private soldier at $15 month anC
then to fly back to Hays in an army
airplane as a First Lieutenant was the
privilege of Lieut. Elmer Dougerty
who landed here early Monday after
noon enroute to Payne Field, Missis-
sippi.
Only few aviators in America were
accorded the honor of being permitted
to go home by airplaine- Lieut.. Dough
erty was one of the few.
Hays has had many aIrplaine flights
at fairs and carnivals, but no such ex-
hibition was ever seen here of man s
sovereignty of the air as the fight
Monday. Although he did not attempt
any stunts his maneuvers were many
and varied. The air was the ''dirtiest'
he had ever flown in, according to his
statement after the landing.
The plane he is using is not his regu-
lar "ship," but a training plane-a two
scatter Curtis model first training plane.
To carry enough gasoline for cross
country flight he had closed up one of
the seats for a gas tank. The engine
is 80 h. p. with 1900 revolutions per
minute for the propeller.
Lieut. Doughtery spoke of the plane
as being merely "an old tub" It's
limit in speed is about Is miles an hour
Sometimes with the wind just right
he can develope more, but the plane is
essentially a slow one. Its value is
between $1,000 and $4,000.
He flew here from Plainyille in four
teen minutes, but the wind was an as
sistance. Lieut.. Dougherty said that
many times before the war, in going
between here and Plainville he wanted
to fly over the Deane hill and valley.
Monday he satisfied his ambition.
Lieut.. Deugherty was a powerful
tackle on the F. H. n. Football team
in the fall of 1916. He has received
his life diploma from the Fort Hays
Normal While in school he majored
in English.
Lieut. Dougherty's rise in the army
was remarkable. He enlisted as pri-
vate in the regular army aviation
branch in April 1917. This almost pre-
cluded any chance for commisson, as
was later given for men to become ca
dets in order to try for commission.
n n, H.
made good to such an extent that he
was enabled to skip the grade of Sec
ond Lieutenant and was given his COM
mission as first Lieutenant.
In the army he is known as an expert
on airplanes and areonautics. His colo
nelis one of the best two or throe air
men in America.
Athletics have commanded much of
his attention in the army, and his coach
was Arthur Duffy, the famous holder
of the worlds record in the 100 yard
dash. Dougherty himself is the cham
pion 100 yard runner of his large army
camp.
Lieut.. Dougherty will return soon
te civilian life as his discharge is await
ing his arrival in Mississippi
After leaving here he expects to
make only two landings before reach
ing Payne field.
A large crowd soon gathered at the
Hays Colleges Athletic Field where he
landed Monday. He held an informal
reception out there to his many frionds.
His departure was delayed by the
storm and cold.
At the Tuesday dinner of the Cham
Der of Commerce, Lieut.. Dougherty
was the guest of honor. The estab-
ishment of an airplane mail route was
a topic of discussion by the business
men, but the army officer refused to
make a speech.
]. G. Brenner is invoicing this week.
Mrs. Roger Miller is visiting in Man
haitian. Roger is still working at the
carpenter trade in Washington, D. c.,
while his son, Walter, is working in
the U. P. depot, Washington, D. C.
E o. Hopkins and sister, Leuise, ar
rived Thursday from Washington, D.
c., having been called here by the i'll
ness of their sister, Miss Annie F. Hop
klns. S. ]. Hopkins, another brother,
arrived Monday night from st. Louis
The Knights of Columbus held a ban
quet and dance at the Essex Hall, Sun
day night. They also initiated eighteen
new members.
Company B, Hays State Guards held
dance at the Essex Hall Wednesday
night. A large crowd was IN attend
ance and a good time was reported by
all.
Mrs. Keberlein fell on the icy pave
ment near the Citizens Lumber yard,
Tuesday, and it is reported, broke her
limb.
Fred Miller and wife entertained at
New Years didner, Mrs. Kate Miller,
and Mrs. Sarah Bartholomew.
John and Rarhara RardevaaIxv a15