Smyrna times., 1930-07-02
LAD OF NINE YEARS MAKES
HERO OF AIR MAIL FLYER
ACHIEVES AMBITION TO RIDE
WITH IDOL-IS NOW MASCOT
Charles Castle Writes Letter tn
HIS Jimmy" Telling Him of
His Desire to Fly Like Him

CnarleS Castle of PaWnee, whose
dreams and faith have won him the
realization Of year-old dream to
meet, know and fly with Jimmy
Donnally," pilot-hero of a school
story book.
The Castle home is on a little
farm commanding a view of the
surrounding countryside outside
Pawnee. From the elevated site of
his home Charles had been an "un-
known" friend of air mail pilots
OF Universal division of American
Always, Inc, for many months.
Today he is their mascot.
There was born in Charles that
which comes to men, women and
children today-a desire to fly. This
desire was kindled, directly by the
deeds of that wonGerous book hero
Jimmy"
Mother" Charles said to his
mother, Mrs. Sam Castle, one day,
Mother, I wonder If that pilot
carrying the mail over our house
isn't Jimmy?"
1T may be, son. Mrs. Castle re
piled, and forgot the matter.
Prays for Gods Help.
A few nights later, when Mrs.
Castle was hearing Charles
prayers, the little lad asked Gods
help in the realization of his life's
big adventure"-to meet, to know,
and to fly with Jimmy"
Jimmy don't see me, mother"
Charles told his mother. "If he did
/ know he'd come down in the big
pasture.
Days passed. Jimmy" failed to
land in the big pasture, although
the little lad waved in vain as the
planes sailed over the farm home.
Finally a Springfield newspaper
Illinois State Register) received
letter in which Mrs. Castle plead
ed that you try and find Jimmy
for my little Charles. Jimmy pi-
lots that big green and silver
double-winged plane. l know there
must be more than one pilot, but
Charles insisted that Jimmy pilots
all these ships. When you find him
please send him this letter from
Charles"
City editors have the reputation
Of being hard" but when this
Springfield city editor q. d.
Myers read Charles letter to
Jimmie" he knew that Wayne Will
liams Of Universal was the pilot.
Charles letter read:
Dear Jimmy:
Il see you go over every day in
your airplane. | see you if you
didn't go l would almost cry.
II love to watch you fly by. Some
day won't you come down and take
me up in the sky with you I want
to fly like you. VIII you, please
Jimmy? Do you know where my
Daddy's pasture is-the big one?
Could you come down there?
'Have you boy? What is his
name? How old is he? I will be
nine (9) years cd grounding day.
Did you bring Santa Claus to my
house Xmas in your plane?
I'm looking for you to come see
me every day Jimmy. Good-by
Jimmy.
"Charles Castle"
Charles Held Faith.
Pilot Williams received Charles
letter and there was certain corre-
spondence between Universal Off
cials and Mrs. Castle. Little
Charles held fast-some day
Jimmy" would stop. Nightly he
prayed and dreamed. Bad weather
brought serious fear to his mind
and heart-for aJimmy's' safety.
Then came the sunshine. A let
ter and a packet for Charles was
brought by the rural route mail car
rier.
Its Jimmy, mother, it's Jimmy!'
shrieked the lad, as he tore through
the farm home waving a picture Of
his beloved pilot.
ITO my friend Charles Castle"
was inscribed on the face of the
photograph, from bis friend Jimmy
Donnally."
Little Charles hardly ate or slept
for two days and nights. Then
Jimmy" received a letter.
''Dear Jimmy:
'I got your picture and | want
to thank you. love to look at you
/ love your air0plane. You bet I
want to ride with you. viii you
show me how to do it? May I sit
beside you up there? love you
Jimmy and so does Nellie and
James. You know Nellie and James
are my little sister and brother.
Don't forget to come soon. Please
be careful In this bad weather. ]
love you Jimmy.
"Your friend Charles"
Jimmy" enlisted the aid of his
fellow pilots and the north and
south-bound mail and passenger
planes saluted Charles as they sped
along on their scheduled flights.
One day Charles received letter
saying that Jimmy" was coming
TO see him and take him for that
Iong-awaited ride in the clouds.
And he did.
Accompanied By Postmaster Will
liam Conkling of Springfield.
Charles was at the municipal air
port a few mornings later. There
came roar of motor-far away,
then closer and closer.
Hope and Faith Win.
'Tts Jimmy" Charles yelled, as
he danced about In his great excite
ment. Santa Claus in person
would never have been afforded
such an eager welcome.