Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 223, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 September 1918 — COMRADES RIDE TO DEATH [ARTICLE]

COMRADES RIDE TO DEATH

RENSSELAER BOY IN AIRPLANE ACCIDENT FATAL TO HIS FELLOWS. The following letter is from Gaylord Long, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Long, of this city. He is at Pensacola, Florida: September 25, 1918. My Dearest Mother and All: Just got back from the hospital, where I received one of the most careful inspections and examinations that I ever received in the navy. The reason for this is as follows: We started out for a two-hour flight this morning at about 10:15 in one of those large seaplanes. They measure 100 feet from wing tip to wing tip and are equipped with two Liberty motors. They weight five tons and carry a crew of five men. That is, one pilot, two men receiving instruction and two mechanicians or engineer gunners. ./ We left the beach at 10:15 and were oh our way. We had just left the water and were about 200 feet in the air when all of a sudden something gave way and we went into a "‘side slip” and never came out of it until we crashed into the water. It happened so quick that about all I can remember is that we started falling and the next minute we were in 50 feet of water.

‘ When I came too and realized what had happened I began looking for my mechanician, whom I was instructing. The water had filled the hull of the boat, so I could not see him but I could climb down into the mechanician’s lockpit, where I finally found him. I pulled him out of the hole where I could have a chance to hold on to him till he could take care of himself, but he was cut across the face and one side was mashed terribly, ’so all I could do was to take care of him. They say at the hospital that he cannot live long at the best. The pilot and student pilots were either killed or drowned because as yet they have not found, any of them. lam afraid they never will, as there have been two men killed and they have never’been found. The tide either carries them out to sea or the sharks eat them, and believe me this bay is full of sharks. Tell Vern Nowels that his guess on the shark problem was all O. K., but I thought he was all wrong until now. I guess I am pretty lucky, but as they say down here you can never tell. It has reduced my nerve about 99 per cent and right now I feel like I don’t care for any more rides, but will start again Thursday. I can’t feel a sore spot on my body at present but suppose when the nervousness wears off I can tell more about it. I don’t want you to worry about this or anything else, because a “miss is as good as a mile.”

summer would more than satisfy the German lust for war. We are all hoping he is right, as it is a rather 'monotonous business, to. say the least. Our company is soon to take over the trucks from the British and I expect to get a place in the repair shop then and a good chance to learn more about the mechanism of the machines. We have' some excellent mechanics with our company, and I belieive it will be an opportunity that shouldn’t be overlooked. Tell mother I’ve plenty of clothing at present, all in good shape and that the quartermaster is going to issue woolen sox this winter that are already here and which are almost as heavy as those she made me. / . Well, Dad, it is about time to turn in, so will close for this time, hoping this finds all well andL enjoyin#-, a good run of business. Give my regards to all. I don’t think the 70 who left for Camp Tayior will ever see France, I hope not anyway. Write. DEB.