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The New York Times September, 1911 J. J. Frisbie Goes Up in Crippled Machine Because Kansas Spectators Call Him a Faker. CRUSHED BY HIS ENGINE Wife Denounces People Who Hooted Him---G. G. Hubbard Badly Hurt by a Fall at Norwich. Frisbie had been giving exhibitions at Elmwood Park for several days. Yesterday his machine acted badly and he had a fall of about forty feet, but beyond bruises and a shaking up he was not hurt. He was skeptical about the ability of his machine to stand another flight today and announced he would not go up. When this statement was communicated to the crowd, there was an angry demonstration. The spectators hooted and shouted "faker" and refused to listen to explanations. Mr. Frisbie announced that rather than have the big crowd go away with the impression that he was not willing to do his best, he would attempt a flight. He ascended from the track without difficulty and went up well about 100 feet. When he attempted to make a turn, the airship tipped and he lost control. As he came down the spectators could see him trying to right the machine, but as it approached the ground, one of the wings hit a barn and it glanced off and struck the earth with Frisbie underneath. Frisbie's wife, son, and little girl were witnesses of the accident, and Mrs. Frisbie was overcome when she saw him fall. Tonight she bitterly denounced the actions of the spectators in forcing him to make the flight with a disabled machine. CHICAGO, Sept. 1.---John J. Frisbie, who was killed by a fall at Norton, Kan., today, was one of the most reliable aviators at the recent aviation meet here. Although he made no efforts at spectacular flying, his biplane was in the air every day, and his performance made him popular with the spectators. He won the bomb-throwing contest, taking a $1,000 prize, and the quick-starting contest, making his prize money for the meet $1,500. He was an Irishman, 42 years old, and had spent twenty-six years as a balloonist and a parachute jumper in Europe. Although he flew a Curtiss machine, he was allied with and flew under the direction of Moisant flyers. NORWICH, N. Y., Sept. 1.---G. G. Hubbard was flying in a biplane here this afternoon when his machine swerved in a strong cross-current and turned a complete somersault. Hubbard was thrown fifty feet clear of the machine, and has a serious wound and concussion of the brain. His physician, however, believes he will recover. The machine was demolished. WATERVILLE, Me., Sept. 1.---George Schmitt, the Vermont aviator, who has been giving exhibitions at the Central Maine Fair here during the week, fell fifty feet late this afternoon, but escaped serious injury. He struck an "air pocket," causing his machine to drop suddenly, the rear catching in some high electric wires. Schmitt was badly bruised. TRUE TALES OF THE ANCIENT AVIATORS |
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JOHN J. FRISBIE FLIES TO DEATH New York Herald September, 1911 New York Aviator Crushed Under Aeroplane at Kansas Fair. HIS WIFE BITTERLY DENOUNCES CROWD Cries of "Faker!" Cause Flyer to Risk Life in Flight with a Damaged Aeroplane. WAS AT BELMONT MEET Had Also Taken Part in the Recent Aviation Tournament Held in Chicago. He fell about one hundred feet and the engine of his machine fell upon him, crushing his left side and chest. He died an hour later. Mr. Frisbie had been giving exhibitions at Elmwood Park for several days. Yesterday his machine acted badly and he had a fall of about forty feet, but beyond bruises and a shaking up, was not injured. He was skeptical about the ability of his machine to stand another flight today and announced he would not take to the air this afternoon, but when this statement ws communicated to the crowd, there was an angry demonstration. The spectators hooted and shouted "Faker!" and refused to listen to explanations. Then Mr. Frisbie announced that rather than have the big crowd go away with the impression that he was not willing to do his best, he would attempt a flight. He ascended from the track without difficulty and attained a height of one hundred feet, but in attempting to make a turn, the plane tipped and he lost control. As he came crashing to the earth, the spectators could see the aviator trying to right the machine, but as it approached the ground, one of the wings crashed into a barn and the biplane, glancing off, struck the earth with the aviator underneath. Physicians who hurried to the aviator's assistance expressed their opinion at once that his injuries were fatal. Mrs. Frisbie, her son, and little daughter were witnesses to the accident, and Mrs. Frisbie was prostrated when she saw her husband fall. Tonight she bitterly denounced the action of the spectators in forcing her husband to make the flight with a disabled machine. Mr. Frisbie was well known among aviators, having flown at Belmont Park, and at the recent big meet in Chicago. He was an Irishman, forty-two years of age, and had spent twenty-six years as a balloonist and a parachute jumper in Europe. Although he flew a Curtiss machine, he was under the direction of the Moisnat flyers. TRUE TALES OF THE ANCIENT AVIATORS |
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