The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-08-26
DEATH plane
WAS IN GROUP
TOBE BURNED
Gordon and Mrs. Jackson
Killed in Obsolete Gov
ernment Craft.
PROBE BEING LAUNCHED
Wrecked Ship One of Five
Which Had Completed
Flying Hour Quota.

The Government plane in which
Sergt. Ralph A. Gordon, 20, 113th
Observation Squadron mechanic,
and Mrs. Vivian Jackson, %, OF
l044 Reisner ST., we're killed in a
1,0O0-foot drop Thursday night
at Stout-Cox airport, Mars Hill, was
one of five planes ordered dissem-
bled and burned Sept. by the
Government.
The planes have all completed
their quota of flying hours, but are
in active service at the field, Acting
Adjt Gen. E. L. Nicholas, Indiana
National Guard, said.
Nicholas was left in charge of the
crash investigation by Adjt. Gen.
William H. Kershner, who departed
this morning for French Lick with
Governor Jackson.
The five planes are considered OBJ
solete by the Government and three
new ones are expected Sept. |.
Probers Named
Nicholas appointed Lieut.. Col.
Manford C, Henley Lieut.. Garrett
w. Olds, both of the 151st In
fantry. and Lieut.. Col. Clarence G.
Wysong of the Judge Advocate
Generals Department to investigate
the crash. They began their inquiry
at Stout-Cox field this afternoon.
Gordon and Mrs. Jackson were
killed a few hours after Gordon
completed examinations to entitle
him to commercial pilots license.
Gordon, an enlisted man, was with
out authority to fly Government
planes.
Investigation by Coroner C. H.
Keever, indicated however, that
Gordon died heroically spurning to
use the parachute strapped to his
back in an effort to right the plane
and save his passenger.
Darkness, which overlook the
pleasure flight, is blamed for the
crash. Airport authorities believe
Gordon lost his sense of direction in
the dark and in fitting the plane at
speed and went into a tail spin.
Woman Eager to Fly
Mrs. Jackson. relatives say, had
been eager to fly for months. Her
young husband attempted to dis
courage her and asked her not to
go up Gordon's companions at
the airport said Mrs Jackson came
to the field repeatedly and asked
Gordon to take her up.
A flight was arranged for two
days before Col. Charles Lindbergh
came here, but was postponed be-
cause OF unusual activity at the
field. Thursday afternoon Mrs.
Jackson and her chum, Mary Brew
er, l8, 1136 Richland Ave, went to
the field and flight with Gordon
was arranged for after o'clock"
The two girls left and Miss
Brewer decided not to go. Her sis
ter, Katherine Brewer, 16, took her
place and the two left for the field.
Miss Brewer thought the three were
to fly together and was disappointed
when Mrs. Jackson got to go up
first.
When the two girls returned, Cor
don's companions say, he hesitated
at making the flight, but relented
when Mrs. Jackson accused him Of
being poor sport"
"Good-by, if I never see you
again" was Mrs. Jackson's parting
cry as the plane started.
The planes altimeter, Coroner
Keever said, showed the plane
dropped about i,100 feet.
Married Only Year
Mrs jackson had been married a
little more than a year to Loci Jack
son, %, Smith Agricultural Chemical
Company employe. They had been
making their home witt. the wife's
mother, Mrs. Lena Carter, and her
sister and brother-in-law, Mr.. and
Mrs. B. l.. Reynolds, 1044 Reisner st.
Mrs. Jackson's father, Charles
Holcombe, lives at 1850 S. Belmont
Ave.
Gordon's wife and two children.
Jerry, II months, and Gilbert. 4,
were visiting her parents, Mr.. ana
Mrs. George w. Brown, in Kokono.
Gordon was to drive there Thursday
night to bring them back to their
home at 5ll0 w. Washington st.
Funeral services for Mrs. Jack.
son will be held ther home Sum
day afternoon. Gordons body will
be sent to Kokomo this evening for
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