Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-07

waved to the ground to hurry up the
refueling.
we took on the gas in q hurry and
lightning in all directions broke around
us. There was q white cloud to the
south and we thought that we could
get through that, but sunk into q
squall. We left the ship drift and de-
cided to fight 1t out. The wind was
blowing about 100 miles an hour. We
lost all sight of land for 90 minutes.
We let the ship toss around and
then headed northwest hoping to pick
up the air beacon at the airport
Finally we saw few lights, like street
lights, they were lights we knew when
we were flying the air mail and then
we came closer to the port.
Next thing I knew, We must have
passed over Akron at @ thousand feet,
but could catch no sight of 1t In the
intense blackness. We went from Wads-
worth over to Medina, where they have
an emergency. We circled the field
until the weather lifted to some ex-
tent. but were In O hurry to get back to
the Cleveland airport because we knew
every one would be anxious to know
where we were. We circled Medina for
Is minutes and headed for Cleveland.
at was grand ceiling when we
picked Cleveland up. Rain was pour
ing down, lightning flashing every sec
ond, but the air seemed stiller. We
could hear thunder, but it did not
bother US. The lightning was blind
then the lights went out.
I'VE changed controls at ! am,
Newcomb now flying mitch few during
the storm. Newk few until daylight.
Lightning, thunder and blowing and
raising hell all night. No sleep, creased.
oiled and listened to motor, praying
that 1t would not go out. Did not
have magnetos covered, was afraid
they'd go out. Grease on them prob
ably kept them dry and working.
Terrible Night.
'T returned to the controls at S am.
Newk seemed glad to see me; 1t was a
Friday morning we both were very
tired but congratulated each other on
getting through the storm Oater we
learned that no other ship had ridden
1t out). Reaction then set in and we
were both very tired and nervous. We
began TO doubt that we could carry on
very much beyond record time, II till
then.
Hoped to get enough rest to over
come Our exhaustion. Couldn't sleep
GA 10Y oAOAAOuSA NGAy AAc 1llOe
tor OF the ship came out of the storm
much better than we did. The motor
seemed little rough at 10 am. We
ran it wide open for five minutes, then
throttled 1t back, after which It re-.
gained its smoothness. At first refueling
we learned Of Basins crash. We were
sorry. but happy that none was hurt.
THE hand pump was not working
very well--the gasoline was low in the
q nj rknxy kay4V rtak -.
Wiggled wings when ready for gas.
When We didn't want gas we always
kicked the rudder and swung the ship
back and forth, sideways
"Refueled at $3.50 (the last refleling)
and were growing more and more tired
every minute, looking forward to the
end. We found 1t difficult to keep
track of time because of WEAKNESS.
''Newcomb took the controls ct $40
pm. Friday. Believe me, 1t was a re-
lief to break the monotony by taking or
leaving those controls.
See Crowds Gather.
AFTER while we noticed the crowds
approaching on the port In greater
numbers and also the autos in the roads
became thicker. We were thankful
that we were not in that jam of autos
and men.
Each second seemed an hour long.
1t was then we decided that we could
not 60 on to the 200-hour mark and
that as soon as we had beaten the rec
ORD by q few hours we would go down
to earth.
We felt very bad about giving I'D
before the 200 mark, but we could hold
out very little longer.
We did not know just, when we had
equaled the other mark. we STAYED
In the air 28 minutes after we saw The
fireworks on the ground. We circled
low over the field and threw. out the
RED Hare. We were surprised that we
nag stayed UP so long. Swarms rushed
under us. We were afraid the pro-
peller would strike those people, so we
started up again.
Then we circled around and around
twice for a safe landing and we
smoothed down on the earth in q re-
markable manner, surprised again that
we knew how to land.
Everybody seemed to hug us and
push us: We were kissed a thousand
times, 1t seemed. You couldn't helm
but feel good with all the welcome.
-, Helen got some flowers and put
them around our necks. We had to
stand to be posed in that fashion.
Helen lien is q wonderful girl.
We went down to the winton. but
we didn't get to sleep until 5 O'Clock.
ana then. how we did Sleep"