The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1920-08-13
CRASH OF THE BIG PLANE
MORGAN MAN INJURED; MAY
NOT RECOVER
Machine Struck An Air Current
And Was Tossed Into Tail
Spin Stunt
Especial to The Free Press.1


( Morgan, Mimi, August 6.-Elmer E.
Albrecht of Morgan, proprietor of
Albrecht's Candy Shop, met with very
serious and possibly fatal injuries
when an airplane in which he was
riding as a passenger, crashed to the
feet at Milford, Iowa, shortly after
noon Tuesday. Reports Wednesday
afternoon were that he had not re-
gained consciousness. The pilot OF
the machine, E. w. Nelson of Chero-
kee, Iowa, a former lieutenant in the
air service, was stunned and bruised
but regained consciousness shortly
after he was taken to the hospital.
He stated that they were about to
start on trip north to Park Rapids,
Mimi, by way Of Morgan and that as
they were ascending and reached a
height of about 200 feet the plane
struck strange air current which
threw the machine into a tail spin.
AS the machine dropped to the earth
the pilot managed to partially right
it, which probably saved both Of the
men from instant death, and the plane
struck the ground in a nose dive.
Plane Was Wrecked.
The plane was wrecked and Elmer,
who was in the front seat struck
against the engine it is believed and
received injuries to the back Of his
head probably at the base OF the skull.
! The exact nature Of tie injury has not
been learned So far as known
neither one Of the men broke any
bones. The first news of the accident
came about $3.50 Tuesday afternoon
when e. H. Albrecht received a mess
age from Milford stating that his son
was in a hospital there, that he had
been unconscious for three hours from
injuries when an airplane fell. Mr..
Albreht and son Roy Immediately left
by car and arrived at Milford early
that evening. Roy returned to Morgan
about two o'clock yesterday after
noon with the story of the accident.
He stated that while his brother was
considered very low, and was still I'M
conscious, that he was breathing
easier Wednesday morning. Also
that the paralysis to the right side
be clearing up a trifle. These two
signs, which were the only noticeable
changes in his condition in twenty
hours, gave hope for favorable turn.
Machine Struck Ditch.
On Wednesday of last week Lieu
tenant Nelson and passenger landed
in Morgan for oil and gas. They were
on their way to Park Rapids where
!, they state they were about to close
up a deal for piece on lake front.
The passenger was a young doctor
of Cherokee. They landed in Green's
pasture north OF town and as they
were making the run to ascend the
machine struck a small hidden ditch
and lurched forward the propeller
striking against the side OF the ditch
and breaking to pieces. One of the
I wings was also damaged. The pilot
went to the cities for repairs while
his companion returned to his home.
Repairs Were Received.
The repairs were received Saturday
and the machine put in order Sunday
Mr.. Nelson stated that he was going
, to return to Iowa for his companion
and invited Elmer Albrecht to make
the trip with him. Elmer accepted
the invitation and they made the trip
ito Milford Sunday evening. Elmer
expected to return by train but for
some reason the plans were changed
and Nelson invited Elmer to make the
return trip with him by plane which
he decided to do as far as Morgan
| 1t was when they were making the as
cent for this trip that the accident
| occurred. Elmer had taken flights
| before and enjoyed them and was
| glad of an opportunity OF making a
cross country trip.