The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1929-10-31
PLANE FALLS IN COUNTY
KILLING ARMY AIR PILOT
Machine Plunged Into Woods
Near Observation-Disclosures
Pull Body From Flames

Blinded by fog over the noun
tains east of Grantsville, Lieut..
John w. Bowman, 26, United
States army fier, was instantly
killed Friday, when his plane
crashed in the woods three miles
east of Grantsville and was des-
troyed by fire.
Bound from Dayton, Ohio, to Boil
ing field, Washington, D. c., the tiler
was plotting his single-seater Booming
pursuit plane through dense fog and
light rain when the ship plunged into
the woods about 400 yards from the
intersection of the National Highway
and the Meyersdale road.
Body Dragged From Flames
Lieut., Bowman's body was found
about six feet from the wrecked plane,
tangled in the straps of his unopened
parachute Three men who were erect
ing a roadside sign along the highway
heard the crash and explosion which
resulted. They ran through the woods
and found the shattered plane attame,
with the body of the fier nearby.
Drawing the danger of further gaso-
line explosions, the men dragged the
aviators body away from the burning
airship.
Milton Miller, who lives near the
Stone House farm, on which the plane
crashed, telephoned to William VIM
terberg, Grantsville undertaken, who
removed the body to his establishment
and then notified the Adjutant-General
at Washington.
Thrown Clear Of Machine
Lieut.. Bowman was thrown clear
Of the falling machine and was badly
crushed about the head when he struck
the ground. His legs and body were
also lacerated and bruised. Small
trees were broken when the plane
Owed into the woods and parts OF the
Aiers uniform were found on the high
branches of the surrounding foliage.
Accompanied by two Army trans
port planes, Lieut.. Bowman lett
Wright Field at Dayton, Ohio, Fri
dav morning, on an authorized flight
TO Washington. The three planes
stopped at Uniontown, Pa, for gaso-
line. and left the airport there at
1920 o'clock. The crash victims plane
was much faster than the transport
planes and he soon became separated
from them over the mountains, where
the visibility was poor.
The transport planes passed over
the scene of the accident about l;3o
O'Clock and landed at Boiling Field
two hours later, when the pilots were
told that Bowman had crashed.
The fiers wrist watch stopped at
1857 o'clock, mute evidence of the
time Of the fatal crash.
Was Seen Flying Low
Bowman's plane was seen flying
low in the vicinity of Grantsville
shortly before noon It is believed
that the fier became bewildered in the
fog and was seeking a landing place
Unable to see the ground the aviator
apparently did not have time to pull
the rip cord of his parachute before
the ship crashed through the trees.
The War Department was advised
and Lieut.. James A, Willis, Jr., and
staff sergeant Hukill were sent to
take charge of the crash victims body
and to investigate the crash. States
Attorney Julius c. Renninger and W.
D. Casteel, sheriff, assisted in the IN
vestigation. The body was shipped tc
Washington where a military funera
was held and interment made in Arl
ington cemetery.
Lieut.. Bowman had been stationed
at Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio, since
july. 1928, as a member of the Ali
Corps. He leaves a widow, who re
sides in Dayton.
Fridays fatal crash was the secon(
to occur in the mountainous section
between Frostburg and Grantsville
the first claiming the lives of two
Army fers in June of this year