The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-05-20
five SHIPS IN A
GRAND REVIEW
IN AIR TONIGHT
DalIas-tO- Boston AviatOrs Ar
rived Before Noon Today.
Pathfinder Tried To Wave Them
On, but They Stop.
STUNTS IN AIR AT 6 O'CLOCK
Five Machines Will Dip and
Dive Over Town.
Washburn Campus Is Fitted as
Landing Place.
CRUSADER CAME At 800
Followed an Hour Later by
Formation of Five.
misunderstanding Caused Them
To AIight in Field.
Five Machines Will Dip and
Dive Over Town.
Washburn Campus Is Fitted as
Landing Place.
CRUSADER CAME At 800
Followed an Hour Later by
Formation of Five.
misunderstanding Caused Them
To AIight i'm Field.
FLY AT 6 O'CLOCK


Colonel Clagett announced this
afternoon that the five airplanes
of the flying circus squadron
would appear over Topeka for
fancy flying and stunts at 6
o'clock this evening. The orig
inal plans were for 3 o'clock, but
owing to the condition of the
field it was considered advisable
to postpone the flight until 6
o'clock.
ITS too late They left Funston
at $3.50 o'clock"
This was c. A. Sloan, correspondent
for the Topeka State journal with the
flying circus of the Dallas-to- Boston
squadron, about 10 o'clock this morn
ing. An effort was being made to pre-
vent the planes landing here on account
of the soft ground in Washburn cam
pus.
But right on the heels of this state
ment came the cry from thousands of
spectators who lined tie roped danger
zone:
There they come"
Far up in the sky to the southeast
which later developed into the five air.
planes of the squadron.
Traversing the air lanes in A perfect
V formation just like a flock of wild
geese, the planes circled the city once.
swept south until they were all but
lost in the distance haze, turned and
came sweeping up to the campus head
on to the wind. Col II. b. Clagett. in
the Black Jack. as his ship is named
started to make q landing. He swept
down and down until his wheels al
most touched the ground.
Slid Away to Kansas City.
But n signal frantically waved by
Lieutenant Adams of the Crusader
plane. caused him to change his course
and he climbed. The crowd was dis
appointed and gave vent to its feelings
Within fifteen minutes the big red
Crusader left the landing field. tore
thru the circling planes above and
headed straight northeast for Kansas
City. When last seen thru a pair of
field glasses, he was still headed for
the Missouri metropolis.
Landed I'm Field.
Colonel Clagett had other ideas on
the matter of passing up the capital
city of Kansas. After circling awhile
the Black Jack sailed down to a per-
feet landing in field some five miles
south of Topeka on the Topeka ave-
nue. road. The other four planes of
the squadron followed him down In
turn the Dragon Fly. the General
Menoher, the General Kenly, the Ace
High came down, each one making
perfect landing.
But the committee in charge of the
reception for the flyers promptly dis
patched a courier to the field south of
town. Colonel Clagett was seen and
interviewed. Colonel Clagett prom
ised that his squadron would forth
with take the air again and make a
landing in the selected landing field
on Washhurn campus.
Marked the Field.
AS soon as the announcement came
all was hurry and hustle as far as the
committee was concerned. The land
ing IT was hastily replaced in posi-
tion. The red and white pylons were
given new alignment and the dryest
point on the landing field was marked
out with the red and white streamers
The aviators came streaming in from
the south, one at a time.
The Dragon Fly. piloted by M..i r
NJ. Brown. and with Sergeant Neville
in the observers seat came in first
and made a perfect landing The
plane was rapidly TAXED into its park
ing place. In a short time the Cen
eral Menoher, piloted by Lieut. j. c.