Putnam patriot., 1928-09-20

tAt9tc III Nf1ltds iHt} ItttitlA guests of Mrs. Boards sister and bro- ther, Miss Emma and Ebert Kinney of Putnam, and left here for their sixth crossing to China to resume their work among Chinese students.
 Mir. and Mrs. Beard returned to the United States to educate their child ren. Gould Beard attended the schools of Putnam and graduated from the ! Putnam high school in the class of 19- 6. He then went to 0berlin College. 0beriin, Ohio, for a year and half.
 Aviator in France
 Then came the World War and young Beard enlisted. He desired to enter the air service and was success ful. He applied for admission in the l fighting squad, although told this was the hardest division in the service. He said that if he could not get in there he would try the bombing squad, or Photography, or even ground" fly ing. He was determined to enter the aviation section. He was successful in joining the hardest branch of the service--the fighting squad. This ex- perienee gave him everything that aviation then had to give. and, few days before the armistice was signed, he received his lieutenant's com- mission.
 Works On Ships
 I Returning home Beard obtained employment in the Winton Engine works in Cleveland. He worked his way through the plant. He was then engaged as an oiler on a steamer bound for England. He was promoted to assistant engineer and in this capa- city made a trip to South America. After this trip he took an examina- ton as chief engineer and successful ly passed the test which qualities him to run Deisle engine on any ship sailing any sea in the world.
 Following several voyages, Beard went to Wilmington, N. C., where he installed electric engines on concrete ships for the United States Shipping Board. He then went to the Universi- ty of Michigan, Ann Arbor, for four years, taking the regular course and the engineering course.
 After graduating he went with the Ingersoll, Rand Company, manufac- turer of machines and engines for short period.
 It was in 1927 that Beard entered the employ of the Fairchild, Caminez Airplane Engine Company of Farm ingdale, l.. l., where he still remains. He is working as an expert installing and inspecting engines manufactured by this company. This takes him to all parts of the country.
 
 Mechanic and Pilot M
 On June 30th Edsel Ford offered prizes for an a:rplane tour of planes Equipped with different makes of plane engines. The company with which Beard is connected entered three planes, the maximum number allowed under the rules of the duration flight. Beard, not only went along as mechan- ic in charge of the planes but he also piloted a plane. In this plane were carried every part of q complete plane to be used if necessary.
 Among the cities the planes visit ed were Wichita, Kansas; Fl Paso, Texas; Los Angles and San Francis co, California; Portland, Oregon; Se- attle and Spokane, Washington, Min neapolis and back to Detroit about August 1st. the trip of $500 miles consuming approximately five weeks. Twenty-four planes were in the flight one piloted by woman.
 This was the first airplane tour of its kind and each of the eighteen or twenty cities where landings were scheduled elaborate preparations had been made to entertain the pilots, mechanics, reporters and passengers, numbering about one hundred persons There were banquets, parades and lspeeches on every program.
 Hardest Working Pilot"
 Young Boards double duty as mec- lhanic and pilot gave him plenty to do. lAn aviation magazine, which carried Ia story of the test flight, said: Gould Beard was the hardest working pilot during the whole tour" His com pany's plane. the Traveller, made eleventh place in the contest.
 The tour was not without ita thrills for most of the pilots. Beard relates how, while coming over the Cascade mountains in heavy fog, at lan altitude of 10000 feet, he saw two of the studs on his engine pull lont. He said to himself. This IS 2 time when life is very interesting As he climbed 2,O00 feet more to get over the mountain tops he was think ing what he would do if his engine went to pieces. He made up his mind that he would attempt to land in the best place possible and. if success full. would touch match to the gas. olene tank. make the best possible way to a railroad station and take q train home. But this was not neces sary. He maneuvered the plane safe lly across ard made a landing for re pairs.
 Mir. Boards father, while in Put nam, spoke enthusiastically of thu u I J. .-. I.... ... ..1....