Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-07-07
Dexter
Killed When Plane
Crashes to Ground

What is believed to be the first
airplane fatality in Maine took place
late Saturday afternoon when Fran
els Leighton of Parkman was in
stantly killed when the plane in
which he was flying with Frank w.
Sullivan took nose dive when
about 40 feet in the air and came
to the ground.
Mr.. Sullivan had come from Port
land on Friday afternoon to pass
the holidays with his grandparents
and family, who were in Parkman
at his grandparents for their vaca-
ton. Making several trips in the
machine he took Leighton up and
upon returning to the landing field
Leighton was very enthusiastic and
wanted to fly to Greenville, where a
celebration was being held. Sulli-
van agreed to go and the young
mems wives watched them start
from the field in the rear of the Tut,
tie home and start circling, when
up about 40 feet, Sullivan states
that the plane became lover con-
trolled" from some unknown reason
and came with a crash to the ground
in the dooryard of Alvin Cole, a.
neighbor. Leighton's body was bad
ly crushed about the head and death
was instantaneous. Sullivan was re-
moved from the wreck and Drs. s.
J. Redman and j. H.sMurphy OF this
town were called and Sullivan was
found to be suffering from injuries
to the left side, both limbs, and the
back, but will recover and was able
to talk with the press representative
on Sunday morning.
Mr nj offF1hNtPS
being saved by the fact that when
he realized the plane was beyond
his control he slid down into the
cock pit. Mr.. SuIlivan's only solu-
ton to the accident is that young
Leighton must have pressed his foot
on the stick" the plane being one
of the types that can be operated
from both cock pits.
The planes engine was running
when it struck the ground and the
pilot stated that it was llaking -l4QD
revolutions and that the water and
oil registered perfect. The plane Is
completely wrecked, mass or
twisted metal and splintered wood.
The machine was owned by Mrs. Es-
Their Sullivan, wife of the pilot.
Sullivan has been taking a course
at the w. H. Alexander Flying
school in Portland during the sum-
mer and although this is the first
long trip he had ever taken he had
received a diploma from the school
and had done Hying about the school
field during the summer. The in
structor of the school told him only
recently that he was a born flyer,
according to a statement made by
Mrs. Sullivan, Sunday.
Francis Leighton, the young man
who was instantly killed, was a boy
hood chum of Sullivan and is sur
vived by his wife. Theresa Knowles
Leighton, one child and his parents,
Mr.. and Mrs. Blaisdell Leighton OF
Parkman.
Hundreds of cars visited the scene
over the wreckage and offering their
ideas of the proper solution of the
accident. One old gentleman living
in the neighborhood of the accident
was carrying his memo book during
the day in which he was taking
names of persons, ETC., making sort
of souvenir book of those visiting
the damaged plane.
Funeral OF Mrs. Alta Il. Nutter
Funeral services for Mrs. Alta L.
Nutter were held at the home of
her sister, Mrs. Albert L. Atkins on
Pleasant street, at 10 o'clock this
morning. Rev. d. P. Pelley of the
Methodist Episcopal church of this
town officiated. There was a pro-
fusion of floral tributes from her rel
atives and many friends.
Alta l.. Nutter was the daughter
of the late Richard and Lucy A.
Nutter. born in Ripley, Me-, June %.
1858. She was educated in the Dex-
ter schools and graduated from the
college for women at Kent's Hill.
While acquiring her education she
was teacher of mathematics and
English in the high schools of Gar
diner, Me-, Wilmington, N. c., and
was principal of the high school at
Pueblo, Colo. Later she entered pri-
vate school work and was employed
in Mrs, Shaw's school in Boston and
Miss Wheeler's school in Providence,
where she remained from several
years. She travelled extensively dur
ing her summer vacations, making
many trips to Europe for the pur-
pose of study. After returning from
private school work she became in
terested in Miss Tsuda's school for
the higher education of women in