The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1922-03-09
love PERSUADES
OAKLEY TO QUIT
STUNT FLYING
While He Promised to Stop
hazardous Work, He Will
Continue Developing
Initiative Here


The super-human power which Dan
Cupid possesses regardless Of his di-
minutye physique was demonstrated
in most conclusive manner when
the marriage of Arthur Oakley, ma.
tonally known aerial acrobat, of Ard
more. and Miss Mahota Nichols, Of
sulphur, was announced, on December
90. 1921. Cupid shot two arrows
when he selected Oakley as his targe,
--one directed at his heart and the
other at his stubborn will power. Both
arrows took effect.
Oakley gained the consent Of Miss
Nichols only after he had promised
that he would no longer perform aero.
"atics on the wings Of planes. Thus
ended the doath .defylag and sensa-
.iula, care~r Of a mere youth who has
Thrilled people 81 AL parts of the
.olnur during the past several years
Has Not Quit Flying.
This does not mean, however, that
Oakley Will discontinue flying, for
mis- wife. as well as he, are enthusi.
astic over the possibilities of aerial
navigation as applied TO commerce
and pleasure. ana both Of them may
be found almost daily. attircd in their
leather togs and hjgh-toppcd boots,
on tho aviation field north of Ard.
more. Oakley is now Interested IN
aerial development from business
viewpoint. and associated with Dorsey
Astew. one Of The most capable pilots
In this country IS conducting the
Oakley-Askew aerial service which is
now enjoying a profitable patronage
from citizens in this section Of the
state.
Tricks Not Dangerous?
When his wife is out of hearing
distance, Oakley still insists that the
tricks which he at one time performed
IN tho air are as safe as walking
around the block. with the possible
exception Of that in which the aero
bar changes in mid-air from one plane
70 another. AS for standing on his
head on the upper plane or hanging
BY his knees from the landing gear,
or balancing on the end of the wings
on one foot-these. he says. are "as
easy as rolling off log" and just
as safe.
Started When Young.
Okley's first interest in aviation
was displayed when he was IA years
old, and al which time he lived at
Ranger. Texas. Reading mechanical
publications. which contained pictures
and data on flying. and also observa-
ton OF planes which passed over the
city made an appeal to the boy which
carried him TO the high position in
aviation circles which he now occu.
pies. His first genuine happy" mo.
ment was at hand when Il. c. Fowler.
the pilot who attempted TO break
Rogers cross continent record. made
q forced landing at Ranger, on ac.
count OF engine trouble. Oakley was
on the field on which Fowler had
landed from morning to night and
would not leave the location until
Fowler had gone
Immediately after Fowler's depart
ure the boy decided TO try it him
self, and taking n bicycle which he
owned, he equipped it with wings by
attaching single planes on each side
cr 1t fastened 20 the frame Of the
wheel with wires and rods. Not know.
Ing the formula for the dope" with
which aeroplane wings are usually
coated. he painted the planes on the
bicycle with llnseed oil. His frs.
effort resulted IN loss by fire. due
q exposure OF the linseed oil coated
linen to the sun.
Makes Second Plane.
He made a second bicycle plane"
and kept It under cover until the
great day" on which he was TO give
his exhibition. When the time ar.
rived. he wheeled the contraption to
the edge OF 4O.coot high bluff.
which was perpendicular 10 meadow
which lay below. lie took ofr'-a
few seconds later he could be seen
sprawling on the meadow with a
mass Of iron bars, wires. and torn
linen, IN a heap OF debris beside him.
lie repained consciousness a few mo.
ments later, and fortunately was not
seriously injured.
The boys first real experience with
modern planes was 10 the air service
Of tho United States army. in which
lie served from MAY 1917, until
January 1919. a. mechanic.