The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-09-19
Brings PLANE DOWN
SAFELY AFTER GEAR
FAILS TO FUNCTION
Five Passengers Emerge From
Ship Smiling; Only Slight
Damage Done
EMPTlES GAS TANK FIRST
Try for Two Hours to Adjust
Apparatus as Ambulances
Wait Below
EMPTIEs GAS TANK FIRST

st. Paul, Mimi, Sept. 19-F1-Mal
o. Freeburg. veteran Northwest Air
lines pilot who has been decorated by
President Roosevelt for his ability to-
meet emergencies In the air, Wednes-
day had another brilliant feat added
to his record.
Trapped in the air when the land
ing gear Of q Northwest Airlines plane
bound for Chicago failed to function,
three women and two men passengers
rode over st. Paul for nearly two
hours Tuesday night while Freeburg
and his co-pilot, John Woodhead, made
futile efforts to adjust the apparatus.
Freeburg then brought the big plane
to earth with all passengers and
slight damage to the ship. after en-
plying the tanks Of gas to prevent an
explosion, II possible. while ambul-
ances, fire department trucks and
spectators lined the field.
'Joy-ride' Proves Exciting
8. L. Rinehart Of Chicago was the
only Chicago passenger. The other
four were taking q "joy-ride" from the
st. Paul airport to Minneapolis. They
were G. w. schilling, Minneapolis
banker and Mrs. Schilling; Miss Celia
Hanzlick Of Los Angeles, visiting the
schillings, and another friend, Miss
Ann Beckstrom Of Minneapolis.
Leaving the st. Paul airport for
Minneapolis, 10 miles away, enroute
to Chicago, shortly after 8 p. m.,
Freeburg discovered the retractable
landing gear would not function when
he prepared to land at the Minnie
apolis airport. He radioed his plight
to ground attendants and returned
to st. Paul.
Efforts to fix the apparatus were
futile, and Freeburg emptied 100 gal
Ions Of gasoline to the ground. He
headed the plane down, as 10 physic-
ians. firemen, police and thousands
Of spectators anxiously waited at the
airport. Nearly perfect three
point" landing was achieved, and the
plane struck the ground, sliding TOO
feet as dust and sparks rose. Only
slight damage was done to the pro-
peller and other parts Of the ship,
and the passengers emerged smiling.
Has Numerous Feats to Credit
Freeburg has won attention for q
number Of feats. On April IL, 1882,
while plotting a plane with eight pas
sengers and q load Of mail, the left
cupboard motor Of the ship became
loosened from Its mounting and
damaged q landing gear while flying
near Wabasha, MINI. He Unanswered
the plane over the Mississippi river
and tipped the plane so that the en-
CINE fell free without further DAM
age into the river.
For this he received the first award
at the hands Of President Roosevelt
Of the "air mail filters medal Of honor"
in q ceremony at Washington. Dec. Is.
1888.
On another occasion the pilot warm
ed the crew Of train carrying Robert
r. Jones, Jr., the Atlanta golfer, and
other golfers to Chicago after the
National Open Tournament at Inter-
lachen in Minneapolis in 1880 Of q
burning bridge ahead Of the train.
which was brought to stop in time
to avoid an accident, after Freeburs
circled over the engine.
While flying the night airmail from
the Twin Cities to Chicago, he warn
ed residents Of q lake resort In Wis
consin Of blaze In nearby building,
on another occasion.