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Cincinnati, July 1913 Collection of Steven Beech, 9-26-07 |
Does Exhibitions in Tennessee Transcribed by Bob Davis, 7-20-04 |
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Special to The Journal and Tribune, Morristown, Tenn., August 22. The management of the Morristown Fair association has announced as the feature free attraction of the seventh annual show to be held in this city Sept. 3, 4 and 5, a series of aeroplane flights by A. C. Beech, under the management of the Interstate Aviation Co., of Chicago. One flight will be given at the fair grounds Wednesday, two Thursday and two Friday. The Morristown Fair Association has contracted for a series of sensational aeroplane flights to be given at the fair grounds during the three days (September 3, 4 & 5, 1913) of the seventh annual show as a free attraction. A. C. Beech, one of America's most daring aviators will conduct his flights under the management of the Interstate Aviation Co., of Chicago.The fact that the flights will be given as a free attraction is of special note, for two of the most interesting features of aviation are the start, as the machine leaves the ground, and the landing after a successful flight. The wonderful machine rests on the ground as if asleep; the aviator arrives, looks the sleeping bird over carefully, examining every part, and then takes his seat. The assistant gives the propeller a sudden twist and the mechanical bird comes to life; it shakes and quivers all over, and you can almost believe it is alive. The aviator gives the signal, the great bird starts, faster and faster it runs along the ground, then rises into the air. One may look at a sailing or soaring aeroplane, winging its way like a giant eagle with wings outspread, and enjoy the wonderful flight. But to see the great air bird swoop down in a spirel glide on to the earth, the penetrating whir of the revolving propeller sounding like the angry hum of a giant wasp, and then rush along the ground with the speed of an auto and the aspect (alternate definition - appearance to the eye or mind) of a prehistoric monster this is the most thrilling of all. This is the greatest free attraction ever booked by an East Tennessee Fair or exposition, and will doubtless be witnessed by record breaking crowds each day. Special to The Journal and Tribune, Morristown, Tenn., Sept. 3 Between two and three hundred veterans of the civil war are assembled in Morristown today to participate in the joint reunion of the blue and gray and other festivities of the third day of home-coming week. Special to The Journal and Tribune, Morristown, Tenn., Sept. 5. Hamblen county's seventh annual fair, which closed this afternoon, was the most successful show. The aeroplane flights each day were pulled off on schedule time and without an accident. Aviator Beech has splendid control of his machine at all times and while not attempting sensational altitude flights has given entire satisfaction and managed his exhibitions twice daily so that every person on the grounds was given ample opportunity to see the aeroplane in action under varied conditions. Special to The Journal and Tribune, Johnson City, Tenn., Sept. 15. Aviator A. C. Beech will give two demonstrations here Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons with his famous air-bird. The aviation meet is being held under the auspices of the Johnson City business men. The meet will take place in Carnegie, two flights of the aviator being given each day. Large crowds will be in attendance. Railroads are giving reduced rates. Special to the Journal and Tribune – Sept. 16. The first aviation meet ever held in Johnson City was witnessed Tuesday afternoon. Two flights were made by Aviator Beech and were witnessed by 4,500 people. Wednesday flights will take place again Wednesday at 3:30 and 4 o'clock. A large crowd is expected to see the last flights. The railways entering Bristol are putting on special rates for the two-day aviation exhibition to be given in this city October 7 and 8, when A. C. Beech, one of the most noted aviators in the country, will demonstrate possible accomplishments in aerial navigation in the air currents here. Anthony Jannus and another aviator, both said to be experts, tried this three years ago and failed. Harry Marks, manager of the Beech Flights, said concerning the failure of these men: They merely lacked motor power to lift them from the earth. There is nothing wrong with the air currents in Bristol. Proper equipment will carry an aviator to the clouds, even in Bristol territory, and Mr. Beech will demonstrate to the people of your section that successful flights are easy accomplishments when the equipment is equal to the task. It is expected that several thousand visitors will be here each of the two days, as the flights are to be given free of any charge to the public, and the Bristol merchants are mailing invitations to their customers and friends in all directions. Special to The Journal and Tribune, Bristol, Tenn., Oct. 7. For the third time attempts to fly in an aeroplane in this altitude failed today when Aviator A. C. Beech, a veteran birdman, came down, partially wrecking his machine in a second attempt when it dropped in a hollow, being forced down by unexpected currents. Beech declared the trouble was with his motor, which was not in proper condition. While the aviator escaped injury when his machine fell, the biplane will have to go to the factory. The machine's uncontrollable descent began at an altitude of 200 feet. Anthony Jannus, the young Washington aviator, was injured on the same grounds three years ago, when he wrecked his machine against an embankment to avoid sailing into the crowds. Special to The Journal and Tribune, Bristol, Tenn., Oct. 8. Not satisfied with his failure to conquer the air currents in this altitude, a thing which three aviators have attempted unsuccessfully, Aviator A. C. Beech, one of the best in the game, is anxious to have another trial. He suggests that if the business men of Bristol will allow their subscriptions to remain up, he will return here next week, and on Thursday and Friday, October 16 and 17, will earn the money by making successful flights. In order to convince the people of this region, who now have serious doubts as to whether anybody will ever fly in this altitude. Beech will on next Thursday make a demonstration flight on his own account, and if he is unsuccessful then, he will declare the advertised flights off. He left today for Washington, with his wrecked aeroplane to have it repaired and to have such changes made in the motor as will be required to meet the conditions here. To the north of the fair grounds, he ran into a cove-like space, where the air was so thin that no power would have been sufficient to bring him out of it. He will avoid that the next time, he says, by starting with more power and rising above unfavorable currents before setting off the fair grounds. Practically all the subscribers to the fund are willing to give Beech his coveted opportunity to finally demonstrate that it possible to take wings and fly even in the treacherous air currents of Bristol. It is interesting the view that many of the country people seem to take. They pronounce bird men fakes because flights are not successful here. The fact that air conditions are against the best men of the craft is emphasized by the fact that the men who have failed here have been the greatest successes elsewhere. Jannus flew almost across the country since the time he failed here. Emy, who failed here, flew from Norfolk and descended on a battleship on the ocean. He then left the vessel and flew back to shore. Beech has won prizes in some of the most notable meets in the country, including a great meet in Chicago a year ago. Note: we all know that it was Eugene Ely, not an Emy who did the first flight to and off a ship thing. The third previous pilot who attempted flight at Bristol according to Jim Fulbright was Fred Ells who was no dummy, either. Special to The Journal and Tribune, Bristol, Tenn., Oct. 13 The railways leading into Bristol have announced special rates for the postponed aviation meet, which will be held next Thursday and Friday, October 16 and 17. The special rates will prevail over a radius of nearly 100 miles. Aviator A. C. Beech, who is the third veteran in aerial navigation to be puzzled by the air currents here, the wrecking of his machine being the third event of the kind here, is not discouraged, and at the coming meet will point the nose of his machine skyward and fly off just as deliberately as if he had never experienced trouble here. Many feel that he is defying death to undertake what he is going to undertake, the impression being that treacherous air currents make it almost as dangerous as it would be for a boatman to undertake to go over Niagara Falls and come out of the experiment alive. But Beech has ordered new equipment, designed especially to meet air conditions here as he found them last week. He believes that he will show himself to be master of the currents in this altitude. He is going to give a demonstration Tuesday. This was decided upon as a basis upon which to invite the people here from the surrounding country. The flights, together with horse-racing events, are to be entirely free to the public, Bristol business men having put up money to meet every item of expense. Special to The Journal and Tribune, Bristol, Tenn., Oct. 15. A throng of people is expected here Thursday and Friday to witness the free airship flights by Aviator A. C. Beech and free horse races. The merchants of Bristol are paying the expenses of these events, and the public is invited to witness them free of cost. Special rates have been announced by the Norfolk and Western and the Virginia and Southwestern railways. Special to The Journal and Tribune, Bristol, Tenn., Oct. 16. After one successful attempt today Aviator Alexander C. Beech lifted his machine from a weed field and flew over the fair grounds here time and again this afternoon. His accomplishment was applauded by five thousand people. He will attempt two more flights here Friday afternoon. Special to The Journal and Tribune, Bristol, Tenn., Oct. 17. Aviator Alexander C. Beech thoroughly triumphed over atmospheric conditions here this afternoon when with his biplane he made two long and beautiful flights leaving the fair grounds and circling over a portion of the city. More than ten thousand people witnessed the exhibition. |
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