The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-08-20
Additional details and map
of the Arnett plane story are
on Page Eight.

on Page Eight.
fire light was seen to come from
The point of the crash.
Although he had originally
planned to fly over the peak today.
Aviator Higley decided not to after
he heard the rancher's story, and
Wyoming state officials abided by
his decision so far as National
Guard planes are concerned.
If the wreckage is not that of the
indianapolis plane, National Guard
and commercial planes will renew
the air search.
Bad Lands for Airmen
Laramie Peak, which rears its
head two miles in the air IS miles
northeast of this town, long has
been known as a landmark in the
territory. For airmen, this region Is
Wyoming bad lands, and even the
old frontiersmen used the peak to
steer them over the plains that it
bounds.
There are no communication IA
cilities with the outside world
nearer than this town, and the
ascent and decent of the peak is
tortuous and slow.
A company of Civilian Conserva-
ton Corps cadet, from, a camp
nearby, will assist Mr. Higley in
his rescue mission. They are
equipped with axes to cut away the
underbrush.
The rescue party left before the
arrival Of DR. A. c. Arnett, Lafay-
cite, father of the aviator. and
Charles E. Cox Jr., Indianapolis Mu-
nicipal Airport manager.
They we're reported early this aft
ernoon to have left North Platte.
heading for Cheyenne They flew
from indianapolis TO Kansas City
yesterday and remained there over-
night.
Took OFF in Storm
Ranchers pointed out that once
on the east face of the peak, the
rescue party may have to spend
hours combing the deep canyons of
its surface before they find the
Wreckage,
Meanwhile, airmen said the
Smlth-Arnett party left the Helena
airport IN a storm that had caused
all commercial planes to be ground
ed. They added that it was not the
custom for f1iers to take the VAL
ley route, especially in bad weather.
Even if he had taken that peril
Gus route, aviators said he would
have been 40 miles off his course If
his plane crashed on peak.
Mr. Smith left Indianapolis on
a combined pleasure and business
trip Aug. 4. He invited Mr.. Arnett
and his bride to accompany him.
The party made a leisurely flight
to the west Coast and started the
return trip last week Monday the
plane was brought down at the
Helena airport to allow MIR. Arnett
to visit his aunt, Mrs. c. z. Arnett,
head Of the WPA in Montana.
Sent Wire to Son
Thursday morning Mr.. Smith tel
egraphed from there TO z. r. Tib-
belts, a San Antonio (Tex) con-
tractor, who was vacationing In
Boulder, Colo, that he was on his
way to Denver and expected Mr..
Tibbetts to arrange a fishing trip
for the party. At the same time he
sent a telegram TO his son, John
Sloan Smith, in Indianapolis, saying
the party was going to Denver and
would return home this week.
That was the last word heard
from the flying party.
Worried because he had not heard
from his father, young Smith tele-
phoned Mr.. Tlbbetts Sunday night.
Mr.. Tibbetts checked with the air.
port at Helena and found the plane
had left there Thursday afternoon.
A check of all airports along the
route failed to reveal any trace of
the plane.
Gov. Paul v. McNutt asked the
cooperation of the Governors Of
Wyoming. Colorado and Montana in
the search.