Douglas daily dispatch., 1928-01-29
AVIATOR HOYT
LEAVES DIARY
OF MISFORTUNE

Probably 10 more accurate picture
of the perils thataar faced by aviators
whose trips take them over the Rocky
mountains in. al sorts. of weather has
been given to the reading public than
that in the diary left by Fred Hoyt,
who was forced to make landing by
parachute in Idaho only to die alone
in the mountains from exhaustion and
cold some 10 days ago He was driy-
ing a plane from Wichita, Kan, to
Boise, Idaho, for delivery to GUS
toner and encountered storm which
caused his death. He got to the earth
all right and built d fire and waited
through one night and most Of the
next day, it is indicated by the diary
he left. In addition to the diary, he
wrote letter to his bride of a month,
but this was allowed the sacred pri-
vacy that such matters should have
and was not published. The story told
in his log book was as follows:
January IA, l928-6:3O p. m. Left
Salt Lake City l p. M AT 2 p. m
reached the pass (Strevelll Pass. Fog
on ground, SO decided to go above as
weather report clear at Burley. Had
$500 feet and started northwest. AT
places still went through some fog
Opened motor up Indicating to fell
low aviators that ice was already
forming on the plane) and turned 1910
revolutions per minute. Wires began
taking on ice. and speed (indicator)
Tried turn southeast but
I~As4 IL ciI iv1cr
Finally lost teontroD and went into
three spins at 5000 feet. Tried to let
ship adjust itself but was soon in
fourth spin and decided to get out. /
Tried to get on wing but nosed down..
throwing me over center sec t on.
Pulled ring and chute seemed to open
instantly. Severe jerk and when I
realized what it was all about was
perhaps 500 feet above ground. Seemed |
Just like hanging there. AS soon as
was near ground limbered legs and I
struck, facing wind. Threw me head 4
first into snow Have no idea of dl- t
rection. Showing constantly Landed
Just 8 p. m. Didn't hear nor see ship.
Kept Fire All Night
$3.50 a. M, Jan. 15.--Kept fire all I
aight. Slept often. Snow continued,
having no Idea of directions or where
[ am. Feel it best to stay here as it
S very exhausting to try to walk
through this snow
"3:1O b. m, Jan 15-Sun came out
or short time. tried to estimate
south from sun and decided it was
lown this ridge Will stay here and
reep warm tonight then tomorrow will /
emove flying suit and endeavor to go
outh."
The aviator's body was found beside
pile of sagebrush which he appar-
ntlv gathered for his fire during the
light. George said his brother prob
IbIy- had become exhausted in gather
ng the brush and had sat down to :
est, never to get up.
The letter to his wife was written
hortly after o'clock, two hours be-
ore the last entry in the diary. On
he first page Of the log was single
entence: Letter for my wife will be
ound on Page 22.'' L
George Hovt said t1Iat a rancher
wing near sffolbrook was disgruntled
ecause no planes had searched an
rea near his farm, where he believed
he aviator had gone down.
From his information, Hoyt drew .
nap of the territory and placed a
OF in the approximate spot the
ancher believed the missing alrman
yould be found: d:--4~-'-
aAnd two c,ays later Fred was found
n the dot George said.
III. y