davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24
BY JOHN l.. CO0NTZ.

T Y ISTORY is being written in the
- sky spaces by the United States
Army Air orps-imperishable
SagaS in aviation.
This corps has, TO date, no
less than IS major accomplishments in
aviation to IFS credit They range all
the way from altitude records to world
and continental fight records.
Only as recently as last month Lieut..
Johnson and Capt. Stevens OF the serv-
ice reached height of $4,000 feet, the
cishs-' point up ever reached by two
men in plane, overlapping the great
height of Lieut.. Champion of the Navy.
IS 420.5 feet. The fact that JohnsonS
and Stevens record cannot be made Of
ticial-the Federation Aeronautique In
ternationale prescribes that plan land
at the field from which it took offs
secondary. They scared aloft through
ice crystal caves into another world
On January Maj. Spatz of the Army
Air Corps, flying the Question Mark,
completed an endurance flight with his
companions that has been as yet unSur-
passed and one that is likely to remain
unsurpassed for long time to come.
One hundred and fifty hours. forty min
u'es and fifteen seconds they were in
the air. When at last forced to land
they had covered distance of 10000
miles. And that in one machine with
out step.
And now to back-tracK through the
pages of the Army Air Corps records to
bring to light again achievements of its
men as bright and shining in their day
as those that send their beams over
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24

Machinists' Building. The collins of the
little children were borne into the
church by little boys. neighborS of the
Reeds, and the pastor. Rev. A w. Will
son. preached a most touching sermon.
Though the writer was quite too young
in 1878 to remember the burning of
the WawaSet and its incidental horri-
bic details, yet each Memorial day
since 1876, the year his father died,
he has annually passed by the graves
Of the Reed victims. never falling to
recall the stories told him of the acct
dent of so many years ago. Gradually
now he has buried in this cemetery
his father. mother, brother, three sisters
and many other relatives
Joseph w. Reed, the stricken father,
for many years following the death of
his wife and children, conducted a cigar
store at the northwest corner of Ninth
and d streets northwest, and the writer
has seen him here many times. He
died but a few years ago.
X
MOT more than three hundred feet
southeast of the Reed plot is a
tomb which particularly attracted the
writer's notice when he visited the
cemetery last Memorial day, especially
so when he found that here was in
tered the body of Henry S. Fox. at
one time her Britannia majesty's min
lister plenipotentiary to our country. All
around graves were being decorated
by those who loved and revered their
dead, but here was the grave of a man
far far from his country. neglected
no, perhaps just forgotten-for SO years
does make quite difference when one
is thinking backwards.
The Ambassadors tomb is q beauti-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24

taking and it was the greatest news of
the year. The world watched with
deep feeling the progress of the flyers.
The route covered 81 foreign countries,
25 States and / Territory; 1858 miles
were flown; hops made. 81. averaging
483 miles each. Total flying hours
amounted to 35l.
Secretary of State Hughes wrote to
Secretary of War Weeks at the conclu-
sion of this air journey around the
globe:
THE establishment of friendly con-
facts in the various countries visited,
the strength and efficiency of the Air
Service which the flight evinced and the
new prestige which the flyers have
brought to our flag will have a far
reaching effect on the international re-
lationS Of this country. the benefit Of
which cannot be overeStimated"
Assistant Secretary of War Davis de-
clared the flight pioneer work. and
scientific achievement of high order"
1t gave to the world the same service
as our frontier troops, he observed,
when they opened the West, established
the overland trails and transcontinental
railway systems"
You have been making history" said |
Secretary of War Weeks to Capt |
Thomas @. Lanphier when he returned |
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24

Of age. and worked at Lansburgh's.
She was on her way to pay a visit to
her relatives in Westmoreland County
Mrs. Hester Griffin ca daughter of
Capt. Raglan of South Washington
now residing in Alexandria. was drown
ed as also her two children. Her body
was brought up, but the children are
missing"
A S WE look back to this unfortunate
event and read of the human vul-
lures who plundered and robbed the
dead bodies for the little money they
found upon them and took from them
even their rings and trinketS which
might later on have proved to be the
only Glue toward their Identification,
we are reminded of the common ex-
preston that we are getting no better
fast, for truly. even today there is hard
ly calamity that takes place before
Immediately the descendants of the
same vultures -- as it would seem
descend upon the poor dead for the
gain of but few pennies.
On Sunday August 10, occurred the
funeral of two of the Reed children,
members of the family of Joseph w.
Reed as we'll as that of his aunt, Mrs.
Julia Kelly. and his niece, Miss Bette
Reed Lucy Reed one OF the children.
was but 8 years of age, while Joseph,
named for his father, was but 4. The
condition of Mrs. Reeds body made 1t
necessary to bury her temporarily near
the scene Of the accident, while the
third of the little tots had not then
been found
The funeral took place from the
Mount Vernon Place M. e. Church
South, which then stood on the north
east corner Of Ninth and K streets
northwest, where Is now located the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24
BEAU HICKMAN.

been, and no doubt always will be, due
to lack Of drill and discipline among
the crew. AS to the life-preservers with
which the boat was provided, they were
found to be in excellent condition,
although in the excitement of the mo-
ment none was secured, and those saved
were mainly good swimmers or those
who fioated into shallow water with the
aid of the ships furnishings thrown
overheard for that purpose.
John Reed, brother of Policeman
Reed. who was a passenger on the
doomed vessel, stated at the time that
until he got badly burned on the face
ne was busy throwing overheard plankS
for the women to catch hold of. He
also said that when the fire was dis
covered the women and children were
in the deck saloon and that it was not
over three minutes before all communi-
cation was cut off between the bow and
stern Of the boat.
Il X
THE Star of Saturday, August 9, 1873
carried several columns about this
appalling disaster, repeating Of which
no doubt will refresh the memory of
many an oldtimer and prove interest,"
ing, of course, to many who cannot be
so classed. Here Is The Stars account,
in part, as published at the time:
1.-THE scenes at the Seventh street
wharf last night as different persons
arrived who had lost relatives and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24

from the first flight ever made from this
country to Porto Rico in April, 1928
Lanphier flew down with six planes
from San Antonio. Tex. The elapsed
flying time was 36 hours and 35 min
utes. The flight demonstrated the ease
with which our possessions to the south
could be protected from the continent
by air and the service at the same time
planes could render in defense of PAN
anna.
\
IN 1923 Lieut.. Croker of the Air Serv-
ice established new world record
fight from Kelly Field. Tex, to Self
ridge Field. Detroit. Lieut.. Croker few
the 400 miles in IL hours and 50 min
utes Eight hundred of the 400 miles
were flown under the most adverse con-
ditions. Clouds and storms met him at
every latitude. Croker listed 20 dis
tinct storms between the Texas-Louisi-
ana border and Defiance. Ohio
In 1920 Capt. Street made his famous
flight to Alaska. He was Is days out
and is days in. Today that same flight
from New York. his starting point, can
be made in almost as many hours, but
at the time Capt. Street made it, it was
an epoch-making flight event. Motor
trouble was had great part of the
way.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24

being the last to leave the vessel. and
the pilot did not precede him until the
pilot box was completely enveloped by
the flames.
The accident occurred about IL
o'clock Am. from some unknown cause,
and the vessel was entirely destroyed in
q brief while, the fire having gained
such a Roadway before being discovered
than any attempt to put 1t out would
have awaited nothing.
report of the accident says that:
The air was filled with the piercing
ShriekS of women and children, while
strong men stood aghast at the hope
lessness of their situation Most of
those who were lost met their deaths by
water, leaping into the river as the
heat became unbearable.
Among those on the boat on this
fatal occasion were many women with
large number of children who were
en- route to visit their friends at the
different river landings. There were
also many colored people on board. who
suffered equally in the great misfortune
so long TO be remembered.
OF the two lifeboats on the vessel. We
find that one was pitched into the river
by inexperienced hands and nearly all
of those within were thrown out and
drowned. Indeed, this is an old story
that we Still read about in present day
marine disasters
The appalling less Ct life always has
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24

is neared feats become more outstand-
ing. A transcontinental fight in 1924,
such as that performed by Lieut.
Vaughan of the corps, nonstop, dawn
to-dusk flight across the United States
may be looked upon as a marvellous
achievement. Although Lieuts. Kelly
and MacReady of the Army Air Serv-
Ice had flown the continent in 1928
they had not done so against time
They were out to bridge 1t as feac
of the air and they did So But Lieut.
Vaughan was out to bridge it within a
specified space of time and he did so.
That was something new, pioneering
accomplishment not Incompatible
however. to the accomplishment of
Lieuts. Kelly and MacReady.
: Kelly and MacReady paved the way
for Maughan's feat. MacReady at the
time held eight records. Among them
were an altitude record and an en-
durance record. Compare SO hours
and S minutes, at Dayton. In 1923.
with $50 hours, 40 minutes and Is
seconds at Los Angeles in 1929. and
you will get an idea of the develop
ment of aerodynamics since the earlier
date.
Back of 1923 one gets the impress
sion, in the study of aviation records.
that the air was something to be con-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24

bosom-and hit it, establishing the
practically of radio beams for chart
ing air wastes--but they proved as we'll
the Serviceability of airplanes in the
matter Of distant insular defense.
December 81. 1926, Mai Herbert A.
Dareue and complement of birdmen
from the Air Corps--including Capt
Eaker Of Panama flight fame today
set out upon Pan-American goodwill
tour, destined before completion to take
them into every republic south of the
Rio Grande.
Said Mai Dargue, on his return to
Washington, where the flight ended.
after having covered 2O-odd thousand
miles from San Antonio Tex:
Although the flight was not of the
transatlantic or other spectacular ma
ture, it will reap benefits In years to
come, whereas the stunts long since
will have been forgotten The glory
not only exists now. but will be
continuous affair. ! think and from
the manner in which we were re-
ceived. it is evident that the flight will
never be forgotten"
ONE member of the Army Air Corps.
~ beloved of memory, Lieut.. Cyrus
K. Belts, has written after his name
an unsurpassed record. It is one of
speed in a CurtiSs racer, established
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24

In 1919 Lieut.. Col. Hartz and Lieut..
Harmon of the Air Corps spent the
greater part of the Summer and Fall
flying around the confines of the United
States. They left Washington in July,
flying north to Augusta, Me. and thence
around the Great Lakes to the West
coast, down the coast to Texas and
from there to Florida and up through
the Carolinas to Washington. where they
arrived the 10th of November.
In addition to these great exploits, of
practical and serviceable nature, to its
credit the Air Corps has any number of
individual exploits by its men. One of
its most daring flyers is Lieut.. Doolittle.
the first man ever TO perform success
fully the outside loop. Doolittle, at the
same time. has brought to this branch
OF the military service of his country
many trophies of the air. Among them
is the Schneider Cup, the classic for
seaplaneS, won in 1925.
Many Of the exploits of Army Corps
birdmen are not only great exploits SO
far as this country is concerned, but for
all countries as we'll. For instance. the
endurance flight of Maj. Spatz in Janu-
airy is not only the record for America
1t is the record for the world as well
The only record of any consequence, of
those that revolve around such flight
not broken by the Question Mark, is the
minor non-refueling endurance one
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24

held. at present, by John Ristiez and
Wilhelm Zimmerman of Germany. This
record, owing to the nature of the flight
of the Question Mark, could not have
been broken by it at this time.
However, the Army Air Corps is after
this record. Pilots now are contem-
plating it with avid eyes. And to all
intents and purposes. before the Sum-
mer is well on it's way something will
have been done about it.
At the same time Lieut. johnson is
going after perfect altitude record
AT the very moment these lines are
being written a paper states that he is
just down from an altitude fight be-
lieYed to be 40 600 feet or better
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24

1t within "a hours That means those
who establish records must look to their
planes. Tomorrow they may have need
to call upon them again. The Air Corps
is not insensible to this. No sooner is
a record made by one of its personnel
than he Immediately HES himself to the
newspapers to see if, perchance. it has
been broken while NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
1T is the life" they say.
This is best illustrated by an incident
which happened to the writer not long
since. He prepared an air story to run
not run until two weeks after that date.
As consequence it had to be rewritten.
Aviation is Just like that!
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24

at the Army Pulitzer air races at
Mitchell Field, New York, in 1925, for
the closed 100 or 200 kilometer dis
lance. Belts at the time October
drove his machine at a speed of 248 go
miles an hour, surprising the recorc
for the distance hung up by Lieut.. Al
Williams of the Navy-243.68 miles an
hour-at ST. Louis, Mo-. in 1928.
The farther back one goes in the
record the more astonishing the per-
formances. AS years are Topped of
one approaches the beginning of the
science of aviation, and as that poins
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24

mundane affairs in this year of our
Lord, 1929:
On June 81, 1927. but a few days
over month from the time that Lind
bergh achieved his epoch-making
transatlantic flight, Lieuts. Maitland
and Hegenberger of the Army Air Corps
flew the Pacific for distance of 2,400
miles. straight as a crow flies, from
Oakland, Calf, to Wheeler Field, Island
of Oahu. Hawaii. That was a master
achievement and one of great import,
for not only did they shoot at far
away speck on the Pacific's broad
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24

~ NE of the most interesting burial
plots in Congressional Gene
terry is the one In which are
~ inferred the members of the
Reed family, who lost their
lives in the destruction by fire of the
steamer Wawaset on August 8, 1873.
1t is just inside the main entrance to
the right. and the low headstones tell
the sad story of that frightful disaster.
when more than so persons were either
burned to death or drowned because of
the carelessness of some one responsible
for the care and safety Of the vessel.
The Wawaset was rather a small
freight ard passenger vessel and was
built in 1868 at Wilmington, Del The
following year she was bought by the
Potomac Ferry Co. and brought to these
waters and from that date until the
disaster occurred she was used in max
ing regular trips to Coan River Though
not large boat. yet she was considered
at the time the finest excursion steamer
then plying the Potomac
An advertisement printed shortly
after the vessels arrival here tells in
heavy-face type her excellent fitness
for the Potomac trade This advertise
rnent reads:
For Mount Vernon
the fine
Steamer Wawaset
VIII Leave the Wharf. foot of Seventh
Street, Tuesday Thursday and Satur-
day Mornings at 10 AM
Returning. the Boat arrives at
81. o'clock PM
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24
EXCURSIONS

The Steamer Wawaset can be char
tered for excursions to Glymont and
other points on the river at reasonable
rates. The Grounds and Pavilion at
Clymont are in good order for
Picnifs and Pleasure Parties
Parties desiring TO charter the Wawaset
Should apply at the
once IF the Company foot Of
Seventh Street
VIM. d. COLT.
President. Potomac Ferry Co.
Sometimes there is little importance
in the things we wish to know, but the
writer confesscs he was curious to know
something about the word "Wawaset."
A little investigation disclosed the fact
that at the time the vessel was built
there was being conducted IN Whining
ton. Del. what was known as the
''NaWaset' Nurseries. Recourse to the
Postal Guide showed town in Chester
County. Pa. by this name. Feeling al
most certain that ii must be of Indian
origin. the Handbook of American In
dians," published by the Bureau Of
American Ethnology. was consulted. but
without result. However, through the
kindness of J. B. N. Hewitt, the word
was located in list of Indians named
by j. Hammond Trumbull who gives
its meaning as 1T is a noble bend"
though Mr. Hewitt feels that AT the
little clearing" would be a better trans
lation.
THOUGH Sc years have passed since
the burning of inc WaWaset, yet
there are no doiof cutie number of
Neutrality-suspicious. VINO can personally re-
call the incident with all of its horrible
details in which the Reed family was
the greatest sufferer; Joseph W. DO
lice officer at the time. losing his entire
family consisting of his wife and three
small children. and others less closely
connected with him. among whom was
his niece Miss Bette Reed.
At the time the vessel was observed
TO be on fire, 1t was about 40 miles
down the Potomac of what was then
known as Chatterton's landing. Capt
John Wood. the commander of the
boat. Immediately ordered the vessel
headed for the shore. where she struck
on the Virginia side about 200 yards
lrom the waters edge. The captain
and the pilot displayed the traditional
heroism Of their offices and remained
:. their Posts until the end, the captain
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24

Corps ASeM Rest Reug American
Attitude Tim nd Distance gtsMak eHntry
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24
BY JOHN. cLAGETT PROCTOR.

Ne of the. most interesting burial
plots in Congressional Gene
terry is the one In which are
inferred the members of the
Reed family, who lost their
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-24
:.PANTAGES JURORS
HEAR FINAL PLEAS
Case Will Be in Their Hands
Today, According to
Expectations.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
LOS ANGELES, September 24.-The
case of Mrs. Lois PantageS, charged
with Second-degree murder as the re-
suit of the death of Juro Rokumoto,
Japanese, in an automobile collision,
was expected to go to the jury today
after defense and prosecution attorneys
complete their final addresses.
Max Steuer of New York, veteran de-
Tense attorney, brought all his forensic
powers into action yesterday as he bat
tered away at the States charges that
his wealthy client was responsible for
the death Of the Japanese gardener. He
followed Defense Attorney w. ]. Gilbert,
who charged that the prosecution was
not honest and sincere" in its attempts
to prove that Mrs. PantageS was mtox-
icated when her car collided with Ro-
kumoto's and that she was responsible
for the fatal accident. {
Begins in Low Key.
Beginning his address with soft,
nearly inaudible voice, Steuer attacked
the prosecutions method of presenting
its case. Gradually raising his tone, he
aSSailed vigorously the testimony OF
State witnesses.
Listening to the defense assault OF
the States case was one Of the most
colorful audiences in this city's court
history. Prominent society women, mo-
ton picture actors and actresses and
producers and leaders of Los Angeles
legal ranks rubbed elbows with working
men. Hundreds of persons who sought
admission to the crowded courtroom
were turned away.
Deputy District Attorney James P.
Costello put the last touches to his
notes preparatory to following Steuer
in addressing the jury. The defense at
torney had not yet completed his plea
when court adjourned yesterday, but
was expected to do so in this mornings
session.
Witnesses Are Scored.
Prosecution witnesses came in for a
determined verbal scoring as Steuer
warmed up to his work. Dr. Donald
Cas-, who operated on Rokumoto, and
Harry Lederbrink. another States wit
, ness, who testified Mrs. Pantages cursed
him shortly before the fatal accident.
took the brunt of the defense attacks.
Nobody in this case has been more
guilty Of gross deception than DR.. Cass,"
Steuer shouted. He termed Lederbrinks
testimony absurd" and "a garbled
mess
MRS. Pantages, her chief counsel as
serted, was being prosecuted by the
State because she Is a woman Of
wealth."
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-24
FOREST FIRE RACES
IN MINNESOTA AREA
800 Men Engaged in Fighting De-
structive Blaze in 10000
Acres of Woodland.
By the Associated Press.

ST. PAUL, September 24-Forest
0res in Northwestern Minnesota have
again assumed a menacing aspect, re-
ports reaching the State forester's ONCE
said today. More than 800 men are
fighting hundreds of small blazes burn
ing through 10000 acres of woodland.
Reports said Strathcona, an unincor-
porated village in Roseau County. is
Threatened. with danger Of community
buildings being destroyed should the
blaze gain in intensity.
AdvIces to the State forester's office
said that several hundred fires, most Of
them small, are burning, mostly in the
Lake of the Woods County around
Baudette. Blazes also were reported in
the northwest angle, the northwestern
most territory Of Minnesota, and threat
ening valuable timber lands.
Rangers also reported one fire in the
vicinity of the. Red Lake Indian Res
ervation was burning over a five-nile
front.
A prairie fire swept by stir wind
burned over an area of approximately
100000 acres east Of Thief Lake, in
Marshall, Roseau and Northern Beltrami
Counties last Sunday and was repulsed
only after half an inch of rain.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-24
Bull Fight Burlesuue.

Efforts on the part of Spanish OFF,
Gals to legislate against the bull fight
Of success, for the people resent any
action of this kind and have put their
approval on this amusement so that
it has persisted in spite of all efforts to
abolish it. It is now being laughed out
OF existence in Portugal. Just outside
of Lisbon there is a bull ring, where
humorous encounters are staged with
great success, as attested by the popu-
lar attendance. Real wild bulls are
made use Of but they are not Of the
gigantic proportions that figure in the
regulation encounters. There are many
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-24

variations to the comic bull fight.
Sometimes a butcher shop is seen in
the middle of the bull ring and filled
with imitation sausages, hams and slabs
of beef. The butcher, his helpers and
the customers with their baskets are
all bull fighters, but they wear cos
TUNES appropriate to the characters
they represent. When the bull spies the
butcher shop in hts way many things