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Aerial Flyer Born in Deersville, Harrison Co., Ohio in 1886, Lyle H. Scott moved with his family to Tucsarawas Co., Uhrichsville, when he was still a boy. Here he took an early interest in aviation and was learning to fly just after the Wright brothers first flight, getting his license in 1904. Even before World War I he was already known as a stunt pilot and |
 at his flying field below Pike & Wayne Streets, circa 1923 |
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enlisitng in the army
in 1917 his valuable assistance was utilized at the aviation fields of the Southwest where he quickly rose to Sergeant First Class and
instructor in an aero squadron. Because of his ability, he was retained after the war being commissioned First Lieutenant and Aerial
Flyer in Feb. of 1919. He was discharged honorably April 1, 1919 and soon after came to Marietta, Ohio where he made an agreement
with Dr. John C. Swan to use Dr. Swan's property behind Pike Street for a flying field. Scott was engaged in commercial flying here
for several years first using the popular Curtiss "Jennie" biplane that could then be purchased from government surplus for a little as
$50. He also built planes from kits much like model |
bridge. His many friends thought he lived a charmed existence as he survived so many
aerial accidents only to go up again as daring as ever. Had not John Barleycorn interferred, he probably could have made a fortune
with his barnstorming flying circus such was its popularity. At Athens, Ohio in 1928, Scotty miraculously lived after his plane took a
sudden nosedive into the ground. He was seriously injured and hospitalized for a time. On Memorial Day, Friday, May 30, 1930, Lt. Scott had his aerial circus at Arnettsville near Fairmont, W. Va. for his annual show there. They perfomed all day and took up passengers. The concluding spectacle was a 8 o'clock in the evening when Scotty took off with a |
Coshocton, Ohio companion in the front seat of the ship which was covered with bunting and multicolored lights and laden with aerial bombs and rockets to be automatically discharged. They circled the circus grounds and let off some explosives then turned away to begin a series of loops. The second loop was to carry them out of sight behind a hill, however, Scott misjudged his altitude and was too close to the ground to pull out because of the steep hills. Had he crash landed here, he probably would have been only slightly injured again but, in an attempt to save the ship, he gunned the engine and struck a hillside near its crest at a terrific rate of speed. The accident was in full view of a large crowd including Scotty's wife and two children. Hundreds |
rushed to the plane to find his companion instantly killed but, Scotty by some
miracle, still living. He was rushed to the hospital but this time luck ran out for the veteran aviator as he succumbed three hours later
with his wife and children at his bedside. Lieut. Scott's funeral was one of the largest ever at his home town of Uhrichsville where he was buried with full military honors. After taps were sounded, three airplanes piloted by friends swooped down and dropped flowers over his grave. Rev. Sebastian payed him the highest tribute in calling him a true pioneeer in aviation and consoling his family by stating that he died as he wanted at the controls of his plane as a captain going down with his ship. Scott, |
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airplanes are constructed. Later, he received the local agency for the
Alexander Eaglerock biplanes which were manufactured at Denver, Colorado. Scotty, as he became known by everyone, practically lived in his airplanes. He taught huindreds of persons to fly, took many more for their first airplane ride, and performed at every fair, circus or other special occasion for miles around. The daredevil's favorite manouver was to fly under the Ohio River bridges and it is said that he once looped the Marietta-Williamstown |
Local architect Bob Scott (no relation) spearheaded the memorial effort, and designed the 16" x 16" plaque that is being cast by the Cewah Studios. The plaque, when completed, will picture "Scotty", his airplane, and a copy of his pilots license that was signed by Orville Wright.  |
at death, had more flying hours than any aviator. Editor's Note: Jerry B. Devol is a noted local historian, and past president of the Washington County Historical Society. Mr. Devol is a direct descendant of Capt. Johnathan Devol, who commanded the flatboat "Adventure Galley" which transported the original forty-eight pioneers to Marietta in 1788. According to Dave Len, Jerry died a few years ago. |
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