Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1921-05-03
BIG AERIAL CIRCUS IN CHARLES
TOWN LAST TUESDAY.

Horse Show Grounds drew large
crowd to Charles Town last Tuesday,
over five thousand people watching
the exhibition, which was held as
formal opening of the air route be-
tween Washington City and Dayton,
Ohio. There were ten planes here,
and all kinds of stunts were perform
ed in the air.
On Monday four mechanics in
charge Of sergeant with a supply
motor truck, extra parts, &C., were
sent to town to arrange and take
charge of field and to be on hand IN
advance Tuesday to take charge OF
landing the ships, and care for them.
The first aeroplane to arrive few
minutes aften ten was Hambieton
English afro and containedex-Captaln
John Hambleton and Morris Carey,
both from Baltimore. At 1880
four more planes arrived from Boil
ing Field, Washington, d. C.-two
S. E. 5 English Scout Planes and two
German Fokker planes and were piio-
ted by Lieuts. Ames, Wolfer, Reamy
and Smith. At about the same time
appeared from Logan Field, Batl-
more. Major A. L. Sneed, Air Officer,
of the Second Army Corps in S. Z.
5 plane, and Lieut. w. R. Hogg, with
Sergeant Holly, in Curtis Training
Plane, and at 1890 Col. II. h. Hart
tey arrived in an another 5. r. o
plane. He brought down nine Ger
man planes and was decorated with a
Mons Medal, Legion of Honor, Crolx
de Guerre and also decorated by Italy
In another S. E. plane Lieut..
Corrine, one of the Alaskan filters ar
rived and in the afternoon Ballan-
ca plane from Baltimore, with Lieut.
Stonebraker as pilot and j. Murdoch
Dennis, of Baltimore, as passenger,
came on the field.
Captain Hambleton was squadron
commander of the air service at the
battle front. Ex-Captain Temple
Joice who was also present on the
field. established the Loop record in
France during the war. The indivi-
dualsw no came to Charles Town
were among the best air pilots.
It was quite an achievement to get
ten airoplanes to Charles Town.
DR.. Haines, the Citizens Fire Com
pany Chemical Engine and the Boy
Scouts deserve especial mention for
being on the field all day.
Charles Town has been designated
as landing place on the Washington
to Dayton Model Airway, and can be
made a regular landing field if suf-
ficient ground can be obtained. This
would be most interesting and advan-
tageous and many other towns are
eager for it.
The most serious accident of the
afternoon fell upon a Bellanca pilot
ed by ex-Lieut. Stonebaker, an expert
tester with the Poole Engineering
Company He was taking off for a
flight but failed to clear the roof Of
the stables on the field, and as re
suit his machine was badly torn apart
the wings ripped and the engine torn
loose. putting the plane out of COM
mission entirely. With him when he
hit the shed was passenger in the
front part of the cabin. The machine
was turned over backwards once and
landed right side up. The crowd
which was watching the attempt
thought the occupants of the cabin
had been injured when they did not
appear from the machine, but it was
found they had suffered no harm be-
yond some scratches.
For two hours before any show
flights were made visitors were allaw
ed to take a closeup" look at the
air machines and many availed them
selves of the opportunity.
From 2:30 o'clock till about A, the
airmen gave their entertainment
performing all the tricks known t.
their profession.
Two troops of Boy Scouts of the
town. about forty of them in number
rendered efficient service at the dem
onstration. They patrolled tn land
ing field and guarded the airplan'
parapharralia, preventing accident!
and protecting property.
Those responsible for obtaining
this aerial demonstration for Charlie
Town. deserve much credit, anc
should be much commended there
fore.