The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-08-16
HOMETOWN AIRPORT
ROGERS MONUMENT
viii Never Forgot His Old
CIaremore NeighborS.
BYALLEN DIBBLE
United Press Special Writer

United Press Special Writer
The Will Rogers Airport at Clare
more, Okla, the home town of the
flying, gum-chewing cowboy
humorist, is grim monument to
the faith Will Rogers had in the
means of transportation that finally
caused his death.
I motored through Claremore on
my vacation early in June.
you've got to go out and see
the airport Will gave u.s.. insisted
the natives.
Modern as tomorrow. completely
equipped with everything in the way
of beacons and boundary lights that
might add a bit to safety of visit
ing pilots. the port probably is the
finest owned by any town Of like
size in the United States.
The gift must have taken a size
able part of the fortune Mr.. Rog-
ers accumulated from the stage, ra-
dio and with his pungent pen.
From the doors of the shiny
hangers could be seen the sign on
the Will Rogers Hotel in Claremore.
half a mile away.
Everything is Will Rogers to
Claremore. He was the home town
boy who made good and didn't for
get his neighbors on the way up.
was representative of the beliefs of
many of us.
His place can not be filed"
The passing of Will Rogers is an
irreparable loss for every Ameri-
can" declared George Lands, man.
ager of the Indianapolis Fox Ex-
change and in charge of the distri-
button of all Will Rogers movies in
this state
His wise. human sayings held
something for every man. woman
and child in all walks of life" Mr..
Lands said.
According to Mr.. Lands a print
of viii Rogers Steamboat Round
the Bend" now is in vaults here. 1t
will play the Apollo soon.
He also had completed odd
Kentucky" and I think he might
have completed his third assign
ment. but We have two of his new
pictures completed" Mr.. Lands de-
Clared.
Kenneth Collins, manager of the
Apollo, which shows first run all OF
the Rogers movies. said: Although
We have lost the greatest box office
attraction in the theater today, we
have lost something more than that
"a friend.
Wrote City Man Recently
Wallace o. Lee. vice president OF
the Indiana Saddle Horse Associa-
ton. is perhaps the last indianapolis
person TO receive a personal letter
from VIII Rogers.
While here last January. Mr.
Rogers was asked by Mr.. Lee to
write an article for the official pub
/ LEGATION of the association. Mr.
Rogers said he would.
Recently Mr.. Lee received let
ter from the comedian. apologizing
for not writing the article.
L have had so much to do that
was nuts" the comedian wrote
You and they were darn nice to
me in your town. Say, the saddle
horse business must be getting good
The old horse IS sure coming back
strong"
Hospital Issues Statement
Regret at the death of one OF
Americas greatest citizens was ex-
pressed for the James Whitcomh
Riley Memorial Association by
James w. Carr, its executive secre-
tary His statement said:
Somewhere. there may be some
one who can take the place occu-
pied by Will Rogers in the affections
Of the American people We hope
so. His visit TO Indianapolis on Jan.
IS must have been typical Of the
life Of the humoriSt.
Generously. he took two days out
Of busy life, bringing cheer and
happiness TO thousands and a never
to-be-forgotten event into the lives
Of several hundred crippled chill
dren. All this without the slightest
reward except, perhaps. the con-
sciousuess of a good job well done.
His parting gesture-a personal
gift TO children OF the hospital--was
VIII Rogers through and through.
There was but one VIII Rogers. /"