The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-08-17
ROGERS DEATH
SADDENS CITY,;
VISIT RECALLED
Refused $500 for Benefit
to Crippled Children;
Gave $3.50 More.
BY Upton BLISH
Times staff Writer

killed IN an Alaskan alrplane crash,
had invited him to be his compan-
ion on a 450-mile -an-hour stratos-
phere flight, Will Rogers disclosed
here Jan. 18 on his last visit to In
dianapolis.
The cowboy comedian disposed of
the invitation in characteristic fash
ion.
I'D do it, but you have to get
into a sort of tin can, and I can't
imagine myself locked up in one of
those oxygen things for seven hours
without getting to say word, Will
complained.
He also said that he had been
unable to accept an invitation to
accompany Maj Jimmy Doolittle on
his record breaking transcontinental
flight.
Moved by Hospital Visit
1t is as a philanthropist, how
ever, that Indianapolis always will
remember the cowboy humorist.
When he came here last January
it was to appear at the Armory
in Junior League benefit for the
occupational therapy department of
the James Whitcomb Riley Memo
rial Hospital for Children.
Before his scheduled talk Mr.
Rogers visited the hospital, inspect
ed the wards and the therapy de-
partment and chatted familiarly
with many of the children, who will
always cherish the memory of their
meeting with the famous man. Mr..
Rogers was visibly affected by the
plight of the crippled children.
Later that night he showed the
extent to which he had been moved
by refusing the check for $500 and
expenses offered in payment for his
services under the terms of his
contract. He explained TO Mrs.
Perry Lesh. Junior League presi-
dent, that he did not feel he should
accept money for performing
charitable service.
Il want to do all 1 can to help
those poor little kids I saw this aft
ernoon," Mr.. Rogers declared.
After declining the Leagues pay
ment Mr.. Rogers countered by pre-
senting his personal check for $3.50
to be applied to the hospital fund.
Jokes With Gov. McNutt
Immediately after his arrival in
the city Mr.. Rogers went to the
Statehouse to meet Gov. Paul V.
NIcNutt, who escorted him to a spe-
cial joint meeting of the General
Assembly in the House of Repre-
sentatives. He spoke briefly, chided
the legislators, twitted the Cover
nor, received a tremendous ovation
as he left for the hospital.
At dinner in the Claypool that
night he had as his guests dozen
indianapolis newspaper men. He
reminisced with them and asked
questions about the local political
situation acquiring background for
many of the remarks made later in
his talk at the Armory.
At the Armory he launched his
two-hour fanfare of fun by &C
knowledging the presence of Gov.
McNutt, who sat next to him on
the stage and figured largely in
his anecdotes.
Turning to the crowd after shak-
ing hands with the Governor, Mr..
Rogers said, That's the Governor,
folks
First Visited Here in 1901
This tremendous crowd here
gives me some idea of the unem-
ployment situation in Indiana, he
continued, but as long as you are
all good Democrats and are on the
relief rolls it's all right"
The ex-cowboy told of his many
earlier trips TO indianapolis, as a
member of vaudeville troupes, with
Houdini, the magician, and as the
star of the "zeigfeld Follies."
His first trip to Indianapolis was
in 1901, when he came on a special
train from his home town, Oolagah,
Indian Territory, as a member Of
a booming party" Oil had just
been discovered there and the party
was sent out to advertise the town
and persuade new citizens to settle
there.
His last previous visit was seven
years ago. when he also spoke at the
Armory in a Junior League enter
tainment.
In his talk Mr.. Rogers touched
lightly on all subjects then in the
news from the Supreme Court to
Mae West.
He said he was planning trip to
Louisiana to see just what this
Huey Long situation is"
"Of course, he got his original
idea from you," he said, turning to
Gov. McNutt.
He closed his performance by
taking off his coat and displaying
a lariat the children at Riley Hos
pital had made for him. 1t was
intertwined with red and white car
nations.
He showed that his IS years had
1lOJ lIlJSl1c1CQ WlGll Il1O QCAUC1AIy w
handling two lassoes at one time.
Crossing Crash Recalled
There's life in the old gal yet"
he shouted as he gave finale to
his roping act by jumping in and
out of the lariat whirling in his
hand.
Mr.. Rogers visit was marred only
by the fact that the train which
brought him here was involved in
crossing accident in Irvington, in
which two women motorists lost
their lives.
At the time he made the obServa-
ton that while many people con-
slider flying dangerous, there are
also perils in travelling by rail and
by motor.
The Junior League of Indian
apor5 joins the nation in mourning
the death of Will Rogers and will
remember with undying apprecia-
49,. L, " IN he