Spanish Aeronaut Thrilled the Little Town of Pelham in the Summer of 1888

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Today we Pelhamites give no thought to the marvel of modern jet airplanes as they pass above traveling to and from nearby LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy Airports.  In the nineteenth century, long before the Wright Brothers, Samuel P. Langley, Sir Hiram Maxim, Gustave Whitehead, Glenn Curtiss, and other aviation pioneers, Pelhamites expected little more than birds in flight in the skies above.  Occasionally, however, Pelhamites of those days were thrilled to observe so-called aeronauts floating in massive balloons in the skies above.

Given Pelham's proximity to New York City, nineteenth century aeronauts often visited the region and performed exhibitions of balloon ascensions and descents for large crowds of spectators.  Indeed, I have written before of such exhibitions that led to balloon flights in the skies above Pelham in 1866.  See Wed., Jan. 04, 2017:  Famed Aeronaut Landed His Awe-Inspiring Balloon in Pelham Waters on July 7, 1866.  

During the summer of 1888, Pelhamites witnessed a number of such balloon exhibitions performed by "Captain" Esteban Martinez, a famed Spanish "aeronaut."  Martinez reportedly was in the United States on an exhibition tour in a bid to convince famed inventor Thomas Alva Edison to create an electric motor for a hot air balloon propulsion system Martinez had developed.  

The 27-year-old Martinez was internationally-famous and then was known as the "Air King" and "Cloud King."  His hot air balloon ascensions lofted him and his equipment 3,000 to 4,000 feet into the sky where he would drift with the wind for up to two hours before landing almost randomly.  During his flights he apparently performed, occasionally, on a trapeze attached to the balloon and frequently promised to leap from his balloon using what he called a "Patent Parasol" (i.e., a parachute).  

Born in Spain in 1860, Martinez became a military and sports balloonist.  He served as a Captain in the Spanish Army and, by 1888, he had made 128 balloon ascents.  By 1909, Martinez had made 246 ascents, flying his balloons in Spain, North America, South America, and Cuba.  

On September 14, 1909, Martinez made his most famous -- and last -- balloon ascent.  He took off from Valencia, Spain in his balloon named "Mariposa."  He ran into headwinds blowing toward the Balearic Isles.  He an his balloon were last seen about thirty miles offshore over the Atlantic Ocean.  Martinez was never seen again, presumably drowned.

During the summer of 1888, however, the 27-year-old Captain Martinez performed a number of balloon ascension exhibitions from Starin's Glen Island amusement park off the shores of New Rochelle and Pelham.  Today's Historic Pelham Blog article details these exhibitions.

There seem to have been three successful balloon ascensions in August, 1888.  At least two others were scheduled but did not take place.

It seems that the first scheduled exhibition was to take place on Tuesday, July 31 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  It is quite clear that the scheduled ascension that was advertised a number of times in New York City newspapers did not take place, perhaps due to weather issues, though there is no indication in the record as to why the exhibition did not go forward.  

On Saturday, August 4, 1888, Martinez appeared with his balloon for an ascension from Starin's Glen Island, a popular summer resort off the shores of New Rochelle and Pelham.  At 1:30 p.m. that day, Martinez,  forty laborers needed to control the balloon, about twenty newspaper reporters, and the publicity agent for Starin's Glen Island resort boarded a Glen Island steam launch at Pier 18 on the Hudson River.  With them was a huge box containing the balloon.  They departed for Glen Island where the exhibition would take place.  

The exhibition was a truly grand spectacle.  The massive crowd of about nine thousand spectators were milling about on Glen Island awaiting the ascent.  There even were a dozen or so famed balloonists present for the ghoulish reason that "they expected to witness a balloon ascension that might possibly terminate fatally."  

The massive balloon was gold.  It was more than 108 feet high, 150 feet in circumference, and could hold 370,000 square feet of hot air.  Made of satin, the balloon at first lay on the ground with guy ropes attached and about 25 laborers ready to hold it once filled with hot air.  Some of the ropes were attached to two masts on either side of the gas bag.  Given the amount of hot air needed, a brick furnace had been built near the waters edge.  Alcohol and wood was used to create the roaring fire necessary to fill the balloon with hot air.

At about 5:00 p.m., the fire in the furnace was begun and hot air began to pour into the balloon which began to swell and dance.  Two brass bands played festively as all eyes focused on the aeronaut, Captain Esteban Martinez.  

Martinez was dressed in blue worsted tights.  He wore gold socks to match his gold balloon.  There does not appear to have been a gondola on the balloon.  Rather, Martinez planned to hold onto a rope as the balloon carried him into the heavens.

To make the exhibition even more exciting, John H. Starin -- owner of the Glen Island resort -- promised to hand Martinez a check for $1,000 if he could get the balloon to soar to 4,000 feet and then successfully parachute to the earth below.  As Starin put it, he wanted Martinez to "drop, with nothing to break his fall but a parachute."  Martinez, who had done it before, was prepared to do it again.  A gentle breeze blew from the southeast as the laborers struggled to hold the ropes and control the balloon.

A little before 6:00 p.m., the wind changed.  It veered around to the northwest.  A massive thunderstorm loomed.  The wind grew violent.  According to one account, the wind "swooped down upon the balloon like a terrier on a rat."  The balloon was blown violently onto its side, snapping one of the tall masts to which it was tethered.  Then, the heavens opened as the violent storm swept over the crowd.  Plans for the ascension were scuttled.  Various news accounts reported the ascent would be tried again within a few days.

Finally, on Wednesday, August 8, 1888, Martinez made his first successful balloon ascension from Glen Island "in the presence of an immense crowd."  It took a half cord of wood and four gallons of alcohol burned in the brick furnace to fill the gold balloon with hot air as a "small army" of laborers held the balloon in place with guy ropes.

Martinez was attired in his signature blue tights and gold socks with russet shoes.  Once again, winds in the area were brisk.  Once the balloon was filled, Martinez grasped a single rope dangling from the balloon with only one hand and shouted "Let her go!."  The laborers let go and the massive balloon "darted upwards with the velocity of a cannon ball.  Within moments, the strong winds began to blow the balloon almost perpendicular to the ground out over the mainland.

At first the balloon took off in a northwesterly direction.  As it drifted over the mainland, it only made it to an altitude of about 2,000 feet where the winds shifted to a southwesterly direction.  Soon the balloon was drifting toward the little settlement of Pelhamville in the Town of Pelham.   

John H. Starin of Glen Island started a horse and wagon in pursuit on local roadways to follow the balloon.  Although newspaper advertisements had promised a two-hour balloon flight, the flight actually lasted only about twelve minutes.  Moreover, because the balloon only reached an altitude of 2,000 feet and was carried away from Glen Island so swiftly by the winds, Martinez reportedly chose not to descend by parachute.

After about twelve minutes, the balloon began to descend toward Pelhamville where the horse and wagon found Martinez and his balloon, slightly damaged from the landing, in "a field near Pelhamville."  News accounts of the exploit reported the following day that Martinez would try another ascension the following Saturday.

Indeed, on Saturday, August 11, Captain Martinez tried again.  This time the wind was not a problem.  Only a gentle breeze was blowing.  

This time Martinez knew it would be a good ride.  According to one account:  

"The agile Captain, attired in blue tights and wearing russet shoes and a pair of old-gold socks, matching the color of the balloon, pranced in a lively manner around the airy monster excitedly shouting directions in a jargon of Spanish and Italian to a score or so of the sleepy-looking descendants of the Imperial Caesars who were manipulating the various guy ropes."

Once the balloon was filled and "stretched to its utmost capacity," the aeronaut shouted "Let her go!"  As the laborers let go, the balloon darted upward, again, "with the velocity of a cannon ball."  Once again, Martinez "clung by one hand to a single line suspended" from his balloon.  

This time the balloon ascended about 3,000 feet and, once again, took a southwesterly course.  The balloon drifted toward the border between Pelham and New Rochelle where it descended, again, after about twelve minutes.  This time, according to one account, the balloon came down onto the roof of the Roosevelt home in Pelham Manor.  (The report erroneously stated the home stood in New Rochelle, but it actually was located on Long Island Sound along Shore Road in today's Pelham Bay Park not far from New Rochelle's border with Pelham.)  The report stated:

"He landed on the top of Mr. Roosevelt's house in New Rochelle, nearly frightening the family to death, as they did not see him descending."

Esteban Martinez was not finished.  He tried one more balloon flight, hoping to stage a more exciting exhibition.  

On Tuesday, August 14, 1888, a crowd of about 8,000 spectators gathered again on Glen Island for another balloon flight by Martinez.  Shortly after 5:00 p.m., the balloon lifted off but took a southeasterly flight over Long Island Sound toward City Island in the Town of Pelham.  

The balloon only reached an altitude of about 2,000 feet before it began to descend slowly.  After a twenty minute flight, it touched down in the waters of the Long Island Sound about two miles southeast of Glen Island beyond City island.

John H. Starin sent a Glen Island steam launch to follow the balloon during its flight over the Long Island Sound.  When the steamship reached Martinez and his balloon, they found Martinez floating "with the aid of life-preservers under his arms."  The launch picked up Martinez and his collapsed balloon and carried them back to Glen Island where everyone wanted to know why he had not descended by parachute from any of his flights!  Captain Martinez's "manager" offered an interesting explanation.  He said "the reason why he had not carried out his intention to descend from the balloon with a parachute was because the management of Glen Island [had] refused to expend $75 for a parachute."

Whether disappointment, schedule, or other reasons played a role, Martinez apparently performed no further balloon flights from Glen Island.  But, on three occasions during August, 1888, Pelhamites thrilled to the sight of a giant balloon flying high above their heads in the beautiful skies of the little Town of Pelham. 

Personal Calling Card of Captain Esteban Martinez.

1888 Advertisement for Captain Esteban Martinez Balloon

Ascension from Glen Island Scheduled for July 31, 1888.

"FROM THE CLOUDS TO THE EARTH.  Tuesday, July 31,

4 to 6 P.M., at GLEN ISLAND.  Two Hours in Mid Air.  Capt.

MARTINEZ WILL DESCEND FROM A BALLOON.  4,000

feet through the air."  Source:  FROM THE CLOUDS TO THE

EARTH [Advertisement], The Evening Post [NY, NY], Jul. 28,

1888, Vol. 87, p. 10, col. 5.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

1888 Advertisement for Captain Esteban Martinez Balloon

Ascension from Glen Island Scheduled for August 4, 1888.

"TWO HOURS IN MID-AIR.   CAPT. MARTINEZ, renowned

throughout Europe, with the aid of his Patent Parasol, will

descend from a Balloon 4,000 FEET TO THE EARTH, SATURDAY,

AUG. 4, 4 TO 6 P.M., AT GLEN ISLAND."  Source:  TWO HOURS

IN MID-AIR [Advertisement], The World [NY, NY], Aug. 1, 1888,

Evening Edition, p. 4, col. 5.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Images of 19th Century Balloon Aeronauts Performing on Balloon

Trapeze, Parachuting, and Hanging from Balloons.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

"Capt. Martinez at Glen Island.

On the afternoon of to-morrow, Aug. 4, between the hours of 1 and 6 P.M., Capt. Martinez, the aeronaut, will give  performance of two hours' duration on Glen Island, and in that time will demonstrate how easy it is to sail up and fall down through the atmosphere.  The exhibitions of Capt. Martinez are among the most interesting and uniformly successful of any air-ship and parachute performances."

Source:  Capt. Martinez at Glen Island, The Evening World [NY, NY], Aug. 3, 1888, p. 4, col. 4 (NOTE:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).  

"LOCAL NEWS. . . .

-- Captain Martinez will descend from a balloon 4,000 feet from the earth, with the aid of a parachute, at Glen Island this afternoon, between four and six o'clock.  He will be two hours in mid air.  The spectacle will be worth witnessing, and all who wish to see a novel adventure should go to the island. . . ."

Source:  LOCAL NEWS, The New Rochelle Pioneer, Aug. 4, 1888, Vol. XXIX, No. 19, p. 3, cols. 1-2.

"BALLOON ASCENSION. -- Captain Martinez, the cloud king, will ascend 4,000 feet in a hot air balloon, at Glen Island, this afternoon, and descend by the aid of his patent parasol."

Source:  BALLOON ASCENSION, The Yonkers Statesman, Aug. 4, 1888, Vol. V, No. 1,452, p. 4, col. 3.

"TOO MUCH COLD AIR.
------
THE BALLOON DID NOT SAIL UPWARD, BUT MAY YET DO SO.

There were probably a dozen well-known aeronauts at Glen Island yesterday.  They had not been engaged by Mr. John H. Starin to perform any peculiarly perilous feat.  They went to Glen Island of their own accord and because they expected to witness a balloon ascension that might possibly terminate fatally.  But these aeronauts secured no attention from the thousands of other people who went to Glen Island yesterday.  

The crowd had eyes only for Capt. Stephen Martinez and a big gold-colored balloon.  The balloon occupied one of the few level spots on the island, the lawn on the northeastern waterfront.  Capt. Martinez, clad in blue worsted tights, capered about it giving directions to about 25 Italians, whom he had employed to fill it with hot air and help to hold it down after its appetite had been appeased.

The balloon is 108 feet high and 150 feet in circumference.  It will hold 370,000 feet of air without bursting, and is made of satteen.  Martinez told Mr. Starin that it gave him an appetite to ascend 4,000 feet in a balloon and then drop, with nothing to break his fall but a parachute.  Mr. Starin told him to accomplish the feat and $1,000 was his.

Martinez was to have made the ascension at 6 o'clock last evening.  A brick furnace was built for the purpose of generating hot air.  Alcohol was burned in the furnace.  The latter was fired at 5 o'clock, and the balloon began to swell and dance after the usual fashion of balloons.  The Italians hung to the ropes as if well aware their wages depended upon their grip.  A gentle zephyr blew from the southeast and gave the Italians just enough to do to keep them in a boiling perspiration.  The surrounding eminences were crowded with people, and both the island bands did their whole duty.

The scene changed with the wind.  The latter veered round to the northwest and then swooped down upon the balloon like a terrier on a rat.  The balloon went to grass like a flash, and one of the long poles to which some of the ropes were attached was snapped in the middle and fell with a crash, narrowly missing one of the Italians in its descent.  Nobody was hurt except Martinez, who complained in a mixture of Spanish, French, and Italian that his feelings were greatly bruised.  The ascension was not made on account of the storm that followed on the heels of the nor'wester.  Martinez will make a second attempt to-morrow."

Source:  TOO MUCH COLD AIR -- THE BALLOON DID NOT SAIL UPWARD, BUT MAY YET DO SO, N. Y. Times, Aug. 5, 1888, Vol. XXXVII, No. 11,523, p. 5, col. 3 (NOTE:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).  

"THE WIND WOULDN'T HAVE IT.
-----
GLEN ISLAND'S BALLOON ASCENSION STOPPED BY AN ACCIDENT -- A PICKPOCKET NABBED.

About nine thousand persons went to Glen Island yesterday with the expectation of seeing a balloon ascension that was advertised to be made by Professor Steven Martinez.  But they were all doomed to disappointment.  The high wind and an accident to one of the masts to which the balloon was secured having frustrated the Professor's intentions. 

At a quarter to five o'clock the inflation of the balloon was commenced.  It required thirty-seven thousand cubic feet of hot air to swell the air ship to the desired proportions.  In half an hour it began to rise simultaneously with the hopes of the Professor and the anxious assemblage.  Then the wind started in to have some fun with it, and tossed it about to its heart's content, after which it struck one of the masts and simultaneously swept all doubts from the Professor's mind and the mast from its altitudinous height, breaking it in two as it fell.  Then the aeronaut gave it up for the day, and so did the crowd, who assuaged their disappointment by meandering through the many winding lanes and in drinking lager.

Just as Mr. John P. Peet, of No. 1,501 Broadway was getting on the New Rochelle ferryboat in the afternoon he felt some one tugging at his watch chain.  Looking around he saw a thief moving away with his watch.  He gave chase and caught him by the arm.  The thief resisted and dropped the watch, but a Glen Island policeman grabbed hi, and after clubbing him into submission, turned him over to a deputy sheriff of New Rochelle.  The thief was at once taken across the ferry and arraigned before Justice Stevens, who opened court immediately and put him under $1,000 bail, in default of which he was locked up.

He gave his name as George Hawley, of No. 129 Eldridge street, New York, but Police Captain Forbeli, of New Rochelle, identified him as 'Buck' Hurley, a notorious Sixth ward pickpocket, who was arrested in Philadelphia with 'Kid' Maginnisss, one of his pals, last September, for picking pockets, and shortly afterward in Danbury, Conn., for the same offence.  There 'Buck's' photograph was taken, and it now adorns the Rogues' Gallery at Police Headquarters in this city."

Source:  THE WIND WOULDN'T HAVE IT -- GLEN ISLAND'S BALLOON ASCENSION STOPPED BY AN ACCIDENT -- A PICKPOCKET NABBED, N.Y. Herald, Aug. 5, 1888, No. 18,976, p. 8, col. 5.  

"WILL TRY HIS BALLOON TO-MORROW.

Captain Stephen Martinez, 'an aeronaut of European celebrity,' arranged with John H. Starin to go up 4,000 feet in a big balloon yesterday and then to drop down by means of a parachute.  The ascent was to be made from Glen Island, and if he succeeded a check for $1,000 was to be put into his hand by the enterprising owner of the famous day summer resort on the Sound.  At 1:30 p.m. the Captain, a lithe, small-sized Spaniard, twenty-seven years old and unmarried, stepped aboard one of the Glen Island boats at Pier 18, North River.  He had with him a gang of forty Italian laborers, a huge box containing the balloon material, a score of reporters and the obliging agent of the Starin line, Mr. Starling.  Martinez stated that he had already performed the feat scores of times in different European countries as well as in South America.  The average throng of visitors to the island was increased by thousands who went to see the ascent and descent.  A furnace was built on a green spot close to the water's edge.  There were fifteen gallons of alcohol, and from this enough hot air was to be obtained to inflate the balloon to a height of 108 feet and a circumference of about 150 feet.  Ropes were attached to two upright poles to keep down the balloon while it was filling.  When half filled the wind veered suddenly from southeast to southwest, one of the poles snapped and down came the whole fabric, the material of which was sateen and cost $200.  Several disgruntled balloonists who had been hovering around with jealous mien, suddenly came together and exclaimed 'I told you so.'  Captain Martinez himself, nothing daunted, laid all the blame on the wind, said he would try again to-morrow and asserted that he would be successful this time, weather permitting."

Source:  WILL TRY HIS BALLOON TO-MORROW, New-York Tribune, Aug. 5, 1888, p. 8, col. 2 (NOTE:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).  

"Balloon Ascension at Glen Island.

The balloon ascension which was to have taken place at Glen Island on Saturday under the direction of Capt. Martinez had to be postponed because before the balloon could be filled the wind developed such force and the arrangements were so incomplete that it toppled over and the attempt was given up.  It will go up to-morrow, however, and the Captain will show his daring by giving performance on the trapeze in mid-air."

Source:  Balloon Ascension at Glen Island, The Daily Standard-Union [Brooklyn, NY], Aug. 6, 1888, Vol. XXV, No. 155, p. 4, col. 1.  

"TO ASCEND TO-DAY. -- Captain Martinez did not succeed on Saturday afternoon in making his ascension in a balloon and descending in a parachute at Glen Island, because the elements conspired to postpone it.  Just as everything was about ready to start, a strong wind, which preceded the thunder storm, struck the balloon and collapsed it.  It was then decided to make another attempt this afternoon, at 4 o'clock, when the Air King, as he is called, hopes to make one of the most daring ascensions and descents ever attempted."

Source:  TO ASCEND TO-DAY, The Yonkers Statesman, Aug. 6, 1888, Vol. V, No. 1,453, p. 4, col. 3.

"The Ascension Made at Last.

Captain Martinez made his balloon ascension at Glen Island, yesterday, in the presence of an immense crowd.  The balloon was inflated with the hot air from half a cord of wood and four gallons of alcohol.  The mammoth globe  was held in place by a small army of Italians and by guy ropes.

At the signal, the balloon darted off, carried in a northwesterly direction by a strong breeze.  It was intended that the Captain should descend in a parachute, but, as he and his balloon were carried away swiftly, that part of the programme was not carried out.  Mr. Starin started a horse and wagon after it.

It was found that the Captain had descended safely in a field near Pelhamville.  The balloon, uninjured, was put into the wagon, and brought back to the island.

Martinez will make another ascent on Saturday, when it is hoped there will not be so much wind."

Source:  The Ascension Made at Last, The Yonkers Statesman, Aug. 9, 1888, Vol. V, No. 1,456, p. 4, col. 3.

"LOCAL NEWS. . . .

-- The balloon ascension by Capt. Martinez which was to have taken place from Glen Island, last Saturday afternoon, occurred on Wednesday afternoon of this week.  When all the preparations had been completed, the Captain ascended about 1,000 feet in the air, and then moved along steadily in a westerly direction, over the Island and over the main land, when he soon caused the balloon to descend slowly, and finally landed in a swamp in the Iselin property on Weyman avenue, back of the Abramson place."

Source:  LOCAL NEWS, The New Rochelle Pioneer, Aug. 11, 1888, Vol. XIX, No. 20, p. 3, cols. 1-2.  

"Balloon Ascent at Glen Island.

Capt. Martinez, the South American aeronaut, will make his second balloon ascent at Glen Island this afternoon, and another on Tuesday afternoon.

A great crowd attended his exhibition of skill and daring last Wednesday, though the weather was very adverse."

Source:  Balloon Ascent at Glen Island, The Evening World [NY, NY], Aug. 11, 1888, Evening Edition, p. 2, col. 5.  

"CAPT. MARTINEZ GOES UP.

HE HANGS ON TO THE BALLOON AND VALIANTLY COMES DOWN AGAIN.

The Spanish aeronaut, Capt. Estebon Martinez, made another balloon ascension at Glen Island yesterday afternoon, drawing a large crowd of spectators.  The wind, which on previous occasions had caused considerable difficulty by driving the heated air out of the balloon as soon as the latter showed any disposition to become inflated, was most accommodating, and at 5 o'clock, the hour set for the ascension, only the gentlest of zephyrs was blowing.  The agile Captain, attired in blue tights and wearing russet shoes and a pair of old-gold socks, matching the color of the balloon, pranced in a lively manner around the airy monster excitedly shouting directions in a jargon of Spanish and Italian to a score or so of the sleepy-looking descendants of the Imperial Caesars who were manipulating the various guy ropes.

Everything at last ready, and the big balloon, now puffed out and stretched to its utmost capacity, was struggling to free itself.  'Let her go,' shouted the aeronaut.  Somebody supplemented 'Gallagher.'  The ropes were quickly loosened and the big balloon darted upward with the velocity of a cannon ball, carrying it its flight the daring Captain, who gracefully clung by one hand to a single line suspended from it.

After ascending about 3,000 feet in an almost perpendicular direction the balloon took a southwesterly course, and in 12 minutes' time began to come down, landing in the grounds of a private residence, about two miles from the town of New-Rochelle.  Capt. Martinez escaped without injury, but the balloon ws slightly damaged."

Source:  CAPT. MARTINEZ GOES UP -- HE HANGS ON TO THE BALLOON AND VALIANTLY COMES DOWN AGAIN, N.Y. Times, Aug. 12, 1888.  

"Capt. Martinez Up in His Balloon Again.

Capt. Martinez made another ascension in his balloon at Glen Island yesterday afternoon in the presence of 8,000 persons.  He started shortly after 5 o'clock, the balloon taking a southerasterly direction up the sound.  When the balloon had reached a height of about two thousand feet it began to descend slowly and in the space of twenty minutes from the time of its leaving Glen Island it touched the waters of the Sound about two miles away.

Capt. Martinez on striking the water floated around with the aid of life-preservers under his arms until he was picked up by one of Starin's steam launches, which brought him and his collapsed balloon ashore.  Capt. Martinez's manager said that the reason why he had not carried out his intention to descend from the balloon with a parachute was because the management of Glen Island [had] refused to expend $75 for a parachute."

Source:  Capt. Martinez Up in His Balloon Again, The Evening World [NY, NY], Aug. 15, 1888, Evening Edition, p. 3, col. 4 (NOTE:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).

"Balloon Ascension at Glen Island.

In the presence of a large number of persons at Glen Island last evening Capt. Martinez made another ascension in his balloon.  The balloon reached a height of 2,000 feet and descended in the Sound, two miles distant from the Island.  The Captain was picked up by a steam launch."

Source:  Balloon Ascension at Glen Island, The Daily Standard-Union [Brooklyn, NY], Aug. 15, 1888, Vol. XXV, No. 163, p. 3, col. 1.  

"Captain Martinez made a successful balloon ascension recently at Glen Island, in the presence of a large number of spectators.  He went up about 3,000 feet and came down in his air ship, not using the parachute.  He landed on the top of Mr. Roosevelt's house in New Rochelle, nearly frightening the family to death, as they did not see him descending."

Source:  [Untitled], The Recorder [Mount Kisco, NY], Aug. 24, 1888, Vol. 15, No. 20, p. 1, col. 6.  

"DARING FEAT BY AN AERONAUT. -- The Catalonia, which arrived at Queenstown on Monday night from Boston, brought particulars of the Spanish aeronaut's (Estebon Martinez) daring balloon ascension at Glen Island on the 11th inst., which drew a large crowd of spectators.  The agile captain was attired in blue tights, and wearing russet shoes and gold socks matching the colour of the balloon.  Everything ws at last ready.  'Let her go,' shouted the aeronaut.  The ropes were quickly loosened, and the big balloon darted upwards with the velocity of a cannon ball, carrying in its flight the daring captain, who gracefully clung by one hand to a single line suspended from it.  After ascending about 2000 feet in an almost perpendicular direction the balloon took a south-western course and in twelve minutes' time began to come down, landing in the grounds of a private residence about two miles from the town of New Rochelle.  Captain Martinez escaped without injury, but the balloon was slightly damaged."

Source:  DARING FEAT BY AN AERONAUT, Aberdeen Weekly Journal and General Advertiser for the North of Scotland [Aberdeen, Scotland], Sep. 1, 1888, Vol. CXI, No. 77,377, p. 3, col. 5 (NOTE:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).  

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Two Pelham Brothers Lost Their Only Sons in Eerily-Similar Early Aviation Incidents

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Benjamin L. Fairchild and his brother, John F. Fairchild, were two important early residents of the original Village of Pelham (known today as Pelham Heights).  In 1894, Benjamin Fairchild was elected to Congress from the 16th District, then embracing Westchester County and what was the borough of the Bronx.  Initially, he only served a single term.  However, he returned to Congress when voters of the later-constituted 24th congressional district elected him in 1916 to serve in the Sixty-Fifth Congress (1917-19).  He also served in the Sixty-Seventh (1921-23), Sixty-Eighth (1923-25), and Sixty-Ninth Congresses (1925-27).  I have written about Benjamin L. Fairchild a number of times.  See:

Wed., Mar. 11, 2009:   Benjamin L. Fairchild's Congressional Campaign in 1894.

Fri., Dec. 7, 2007:  Another Biography of Congressman Benjamin Fairchild of Pelham, a Founder of Pelham Heights. 

Fri., Apr. 22, 2005:  Benjamin L. Fairchild of Pelham Heights -- A Notable Pelham Personage. 

Tue., Aug. 15, 2006:  Another Biography of Benjamin L. Fairchild of Pelham Heights.

Benjamin Fairchild's brother, John F. Fairchild, was also a notable local resident.  He served as Town Engineer for the Town of Pelham for a portion of his career.  He also was engineer of the Pelham Heights Company involved with the layout and design of the original Village of Pelham.  In addition, he prepared and published two local Atlases that are considered masterpieces of the art of such local atlases.  He first published the Atlas of the City of Mount Vernon and the Town of Pelham in 1899.  He updated and revised the Atlas in a second edition published in 1908.  As with Benjamin L. Fairchild, I have written before about John F. Fairchild a number of times.  See, e.g.:  

Thur., Feb. 26, 2009:  Photograph of John F. Fairchild Published in 1905.

Thu., Dec. 6, 2007:  Biography of John F. Fairchild, Engineer of the Pelham Heights Company During the 1890s.

Each of the Fairchild brothers had a single son.  Benjamin L. Fairchild had a son named Franklin Crumble Fairchild who became an air cadet in the United States Army.  John F. Fairchild, in turn, had a son named Harold L. Fairchild who was a notable young aviator who left his commission as a First Lieutenant in the Connecticut National Guard to become a test pilot for Pratt & Whitney, an affiliate of the United Aircraft and Transport Corporation.  

Fifteen years apart, the two sons of the two prominent Village of Pelham citizens and brothers lost their lives in shockingly-similar circumstances.  Both were piloting aircraft in an altitude exercise intended to fly the plane straight up to dizzying heights before returning to the ground.  Both passed out at the controls of their crafts during such altitude maneuvers.  In both cases the aircrafts plummeted nose first directly to the ground, crushing and killing the pilots.  

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog documents a little about the short lives of these two young aviation pioneers from Pelham who lost their lives doing what they loved:  flying.  The end of today's posting includes the text of a number of articles about the lives and deaths of these two young men.  Each item is followed by a citation and link to its source.

Air Cadet Franklin Fairchild Who Died in 1918

Franklin Fairchild was born in Pelham in 1885.  He attended the "Pelham Grammar School" (unknown if this was the Split Rock School or the Pelhamville School).  He later attended the Pelham High School (located in today's Siwanoy Elementary School) and then attended the Hotchkins School at Lakewood, Connecticut.  Afterwards, Franklin Fairchild entered Yale college, from which he graduated in June, 1917.  

Franklin Fairchild entered U.S. Army officers training camp at Plattsburg, New York, after which he was assigned to the aviation training camp at Princeton, New Jersey as a cadet.  Shortly before his death he was transferred to Fort Worth, Texas, where he was training as a Cadet in the Army aviation corps at the time of his death.  

On Saturday, February 23, 1918, Cadet Fairchild began his "altitude test" as part of training.  A test observer was nearby using "power glasses" to observe the test.  Fairchild climbed quickly in his plane to a height of 8,000 feet.  According to one account:

"After reaching this height he started to make a spiral descent and everything was proceeding as planned, until within a distance of about 800 feet from the ground.  Then Fairchild's body was seen by the observer to lurch forward, as if he had fainted or become ill and then came the fatal plunge to the ground.  His aeroplane made a nose first dive to the ground and when it struck Cadet Fairchild was dead.  His skull was fractured and both of his legs were broken." 

Cadet Fairchild's body was returned to Pelham where a massive military funeral was held on the grounds of his father's home located at 267 Monterey Avenue.  The funeral cortege carried his body along streets lined with respectful citizens through Pelham and the City of Mount Vernon.  His body was interred in a vault at Woodlawn Cemetery.

Harold L. Fairchild Who Died in 1933

Harold L. Fairchild, the son of John F. Fairchild and Mary Welch Fairchild, was born April 29, 1908 in Pelham Heights.  Clearly he was a young boy wonder.  

During his high school days Lieut. Fairchild was an honor student.  He graduated from Pelham Memorial High School with highest honors in 1924 at the tender age of sixteen.  He was awarded five prizes for scholastic ability, included among which was the coveted school flag given the graduate who has maintained the highest four-year average in State Board of Regents examinations.

Because of his youth he was unable to enter the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that year.  He remained at the high school for another year, taking a post graduate course.  He entered college in 1925 and was graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with the class of 1929.  He took up aviation at Brook and Kelly fields in Texas.  He was a member of the 118th Observation Squadron of the Connecticut National Guard.

Lieutenant Fairchild received his commission as second lieutenant at Brook Field in 1929.  He was advanced to First Lieutenant in the Connecticut National Guard.  In July, 1930, Harold Fairchild joined the Aeronautical Research Department of Pratt & Whitney Co., at Hartford, Connecticut, one of the component companies of the United Aircraft Corporation.  He quickly became an aeronautics expert, a respected aviator, and a test pilot for the company.

In January 1931, Fairchild narrowly missed death or serious injury when the engine of the plane he was flying failed.  He tried to bank to miss nearby buildings, but realized the plane would not clear the structures.  He turned sharply and brought the plane down in a field across a nearby river, landing unhurt.  

On Monday, April 10, 1933, Fairchild took off from Rentchler Field in East Hartford at 2 p.m.  He was assigned to perform a high altitude flight and had both a parachute and supplemental oxygen equipment.  He circled the field, "settled the ship" and began a rapid ascent.  He continued upward until out of sight.  The next seen of him was when his airplane, with motor running full, suddenly broke through a cloud at about 3,000 feet, spinning around and around and then plunged directly to the ground, killing him instantly.  

Investigators concluded that Fairchild lost consciousness from lack of oxygen while still climbing at about 35,000 feet.  Apparently his supplemental oxygen had failed.  He never regained consciousness to permit him to attempt a leap from the plane with his parachute.  According to one account:

"The gasoline tank of the plane was smashed and the motor and propeller were buried three feet in the earth.  The young flyer's body was found crushed to death in the fuselage.  It took more than an hour for mechanics to cut away the metal which pinned Fairchild to the fuselage.  The instrument board was broken and the data sheets which test pilots usually carry strapped on their right leg to record observations, was missing.  Other portions of the plane indicated that when the pilot lost consciousness the plane was still set for upward climbing."

Young Harold Fairchild was only 24 years old at the time of his death.  Shortly after his death, the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Company of Hartford, Connecticut created the Harold L. Fairchild Trophy as a memorial to the young aviator.  The Fairchild Trophy was presented annually to the winner of the National Guard altitude race -- a flight to the height of a mile and return -- the aviator making the fastest time to be the winner.  

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Below are a number of articles regarding Franklin Fairchild and his cousin, Harold L. Fairchild.

"Cadet Franklin Fairchild, Son of Congressman, Killed In An Aeroplane Fall At Fort Worth
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City and Section Mourns Death of Student Aviator -- Graduate of Yale and Had Attended Plattsburg Camp -- Bereaved Father Goes to Washington to Arrange For Return of the Body, to Reach Here Probably in Time for Funeral Services on Friday at Pelham Heights.
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This city and vicinity, which is a part of the 24th congressional district, was shocked late Saturday afternoon when word was received of the death of Franklin Fairchild, the only son of Congressman Benjamin L. Fairchild, at Evenman Field, near Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday morning.  Word of his death first reached this section when a telegram was received by Congressman Fairchild at his home in Pelham.  He left at once for Washington, D. C., upon receipt of the sad news.

The congressman's son was a cadet in the aviation corps in training near Fort Worth, and although all details have not as yet been received, it is said that he was flying in an aeroplane at Evenman Field, a short distance away from Forth Worth when suddenly something went wrong with the engine and the plane fell to the ground killing Cadet Fairchild almost instantly.  His death made the 47th in the aviation department at Fort Worth up to February 23rd.  

Franklin Fairchild, who was 33 years of age, was born in Pelham and attended the Pelham Grammar school.  He later attended the Pelham high school, and then went to the Hotchkins school at Lakewood, Conn.  Afterwards, he entered Yale college, from where he graduated last June.  He was at the officers training camp at Plattsburg, N. Y., after which he was assigned to the aviation training camp at Princeton, N. J., as a cadet.  Several month[s] ago he was transferred to Fort Worth, Texas, where he met his death Saturday afternoon.

Word was received here today that from Washington, D. C., Congressman Fairchild sent orders to Fort Worth to have the body of his son sent north and it is now on the way.  The time of the arrival of the body is not at this time certain, but it is expected that it will reach in time to hold the funeral services probably Friday from the congressman's residence, 267 Monterey avenue, Pelham Heights.

The flags on the Pelham high, the Siwanoy and the Hutchinson schools of the town of Pelham have been placed at half mast out of respect for Cadet Fairchild.  Mention of the young man's death was made at the First M. E. church of this city last evening by Rev. Otho F. Bartholow who offered prayer and extended the sympathy of the church to the bereaved father.  

Cadet Fairchild's mother died several years ago, and his only survivor is his father.  

The Mount Vernon city officials today ordered the flag at the Soldier's monument at half mast out of respect for Cadet Fairchild."

Source:  Cadet Franklin Fairchild, Son of Congressman, Killed In An Aeroplane Fall At Fort Worth, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Feb. 25, 1918, p. 1, cols. 1-2.

"Five Aviators Killed in Southern Camps; Horace Higginbotham, Football Star, a Victim
*     *     *
FORT WORTH, Texas ,Feb. 23. -- Franklin Fairchild, an American flying Cadet, was killed this afternoon when his airplane fell near Eveman Field.  Fairchild came here from Pelham, N. Y., on Feb. 1.  He was the son of Representative Benjamin L. Fairchild of Westchester and New York City. . . ."

Source:  Five Aviators Killed in Southern Camps; Horace Higginbotham, Football Star, a Victim, N. Y. Times, Feb. 24, 1918.  

"People Pay Tribute to Dead Aviator as Fairchild Cortege Passes in Business Section
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Funeral services for Cadet Franklin Crumble Fairchild of the United States Aviation Corps and son of Congressman Benjamin L. Fairchild, who met his death last Saturday morning at Evenman Field near Fort Worth, Texas were held yesterday afternoon from his late home, the Fairchild Homestead, 267 Monterey avenue, Pelham Heights.  

The services which were conducted by Rev. Lewis Gaston Leary, pastor of the Huguenot Presbyterian Church, of Pelham Manor, were attended by about five hundred friends of both the deceased and the bereaved father.  Almost every municipality in Westchester County was represented.  Officials from Mount Vernon, Yonkers, White Plains, New Rochelle, and a large number of villages of the county were in attendance. 

Rev. Dr. Leary said that one of the stars in the service flag of the town of Pelham now would be a gold star, and that Franklin Fairchild was the first resident of Pelham to give his life for his country.  He read a most impressive eulogy written by the deceased's companions at Fort Worth, Texas, which was brought to Pelham Heights by Major Cusman Hartwell in charge of the Fort Worth Aviation camp.  He also read the prayer that was said at the funeral of Mrs. Benjamin L. Fairchild, 16 years ago.

The casket which was covered with khaki cloth and bore a silver plate bearing the name of the deceased and the dates of his birth and death.  The body reposed in state in the large drawing room in the southeast corner of the Homestead.  The room was banked on all sides with a great number of floral tributes.  Over the casket was a silk American flag which had been sent by the officials of the City of Mount Vernon.  With the flag was white streamer bearing the following 'Franklin crumble Fairchild' 'So that my life be brave, what though not long,' which is from an old sonnet by Drummond.

During the services, Congressman Fairchild was seated on the balcony attended by his brother-in-law and sister, Dr. and Mrs. Crumble.  He bore up well under the strain until the conclusion of the service.

After a lapse of a half hour, the body was carried from the house to the hearse.  The pall bearers were Lieutenant Edward Bridgman of the Royal Flying Corps, Lieutenant Clarfi Hopkins, U.S.R., Merle W. Whipple, U.S.N.R.S., Dennison Lambert, Howard Michener, Rensalear Crumbie, and John Landon, all of which were class mates of the deceased at Yale.

In proceeding from the house to the hearse the casket passed in review before a provisional company of the Third Battalion of the 22d Engineers, N.Y.G. of Mount Vernon, the Home Defense Leagues of North Pelha, Pelham and Pelham Manor, all standing at salute.  At the entrance of the house stood the firing squad from Fort Slocum.

One car was required for the floral pieces.  This followed by a car containing the firing squad of Fort Slocum, consisting of Sergeant Frank M. Arnold, bugler Thomas Willhite and privates J. C. Gilmore, A. T. Retz, W. J. Donovan, R. C. Greathouse, H. F. Starling, P. Ritter and E. J. Toner.

Then came a company of about fifty men made up from the different units of the third battalion, 22d Engineers, N.Y.G., of Mount Vernon, under command of Captain F. Irving Hull, of Company M.  Major James P. Hayes had asked for volunteers from the battalion to make up six squads.

No formal invitation had been extended to the New York Guard to attend the services, but the commanding officer thought that this would be a way of showing a mark of honor to Cadet Fairchild who had fallen in the service of his country.  Assembly was at the local armory at 1.30 o'clock, after which the soldiers hiked to Pelham under Captain Hull and proceeded to the Fairchild home.

Next in the cortege were about 35 members of the Pelham Heights Home Defense League in command of Captain Morgan, then came a squad of the Home Defense Police of Pelham Manor in charge of Captain H. D. Myrick and then about 35 members of the North Pelham Home Defense League in command of Captain J. D. W. Weiss.  The soldiers and Home Defense Leagues were followed by the hearse.  Then came the automobiles with the mourners.

The home military escort continued from the Fairchild Homestead through the Boulevard, Pelham Heights to East Third street.  At the Mount Vernon City line the guard and Home Defense League stood and [sic] both sides of the roadway at salute while the cortege passed between the files.  The hearse and autos now continued through East Third street this city to South Fourth avenue thence to First street then to White Plains avenue to Woodlawn Cemetery.

Altho the funeral was an hour late in passing through Mount Vernon, on both sides of East Third street to South Fourt avenue, people waited to pay their last respects to the Pelham aviator.  At the corner of Third street and at Second street and South Fourt avenue and again at First street and South Fourth avenue, large numbers of the residents of this city gathered.  Women bowed their heads and men raised their hats as the hearse passed.  And traffic had to be kept open by the police.

Upon arriving at Woodlawn Cemetery the body was placed in the receiving vault with full military honors, the suad of the Sixth Company of Fort Slocum firing the regulation salute conferring the complete honors paid by the United States Army.

Through Major Cusman Hartwell, who is in charge of the aviation department at Fort Worth and who came north with the body, the facts of how Cadet Fairchild met his death were learned.  Cadet Fairchild had a promising future as an aviator.  Last Saturday morning he took his altitude test and had succeeded in soaring into the skies a distance of 8,000 feet.  This was accomplished in a manner which won him great praise from the observer who was watching him through powerful glasses.  After reaching this height he started to make a spiral descent and everything was proceeding as planned, until within a distance of about 800 feet from the ground.  Then Fairchild's body was seen by the observer to lurch forward, as if he had fainted or become ill and then came the fatal plunge to the ground.  His aeroplane made a nose first drive to the ground and when it struck Cadet Fairchild was dead.  His skull was fractured and both of his legs were broken.  Major Hartwell returned to his duties at Fort Worth, Texas last evening.  The funeral was attended by evening.  The funeral was attended by Representative Addision Smith, of Idaho, who came from Washington, D. C." 

Source:  People Pay Tribute to Dead Aviator as Fairchild Cortege Passes in Business Section, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Mar. 2, 1918, p. 4, cols. 3-4.  

"HAROLD FAIRCHILD AIR CORPS LIEUT.
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Pelham Youth Receives Flight Diploma; Will Take Up Aviation Research Work.
-----

Harold Fairchild, son of Major John F. Fairchild of Pelham Heights, was graduated on Saturday at the Air Corps Advanced Flying School at Kelly Field, Texas, with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.  Next month he will join the Aeronautical Research Department of Pratt & Whitney Co., at Hartford, Conn., one of the component companies of the United Aircraft Corporation.

Lieut. Fairchild was a member of the 1929 class at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  During the last year he has been a cadet at the Army Flying Schools at Brooks Field and Kelly Field, Texas."

HAROLD FAIRCHILD AIR CORPS LIEUT., The Pelham Sun, Jun. 27, 1930, Section 2, p. 8, col. 7.

"HAROLD FAIRCHILD ESCAPES INJURY IN PLANE CRASH
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Lieut. Harold Fairchild, son of Major John F. Fairchild of Pelham Heights, cleverly averted a serious crack up when his airplane was forced to land because of motor trouble in an experimental flight at Hartford, Conn. recently.  The plane was damaged but Lieut. Fairchild escaped injury.  The flier had just cleared the ground in his take-off when the motor began to miss badly and then stopped entirely.  The pilot attempted to bank for a turn over the hangars, but being unable to do so he turned his machine sharply and headed across the Connecticut river.  It was only by skillful piloting that Fairchild was able to land his machine on the opposite shore of the river, narrowly avoiding several trees and buildings.  

Lieut. Fairchild is a graduate of the Massachusetts School of Technology and the Brooks and Kelly Flying Fields, and recently resigned his commission in the Connecticut National Guard Squadron as he expects to receive an assignment to a mid-western field within a short time."

Source:  HAROLD FAIRCHILD ESCAPES INJURY IN PLANE CRASH, The Pelham Sun, Jan. 16, 1931, Vol. 21, No. 42, p. 1, col. 2.  

"THE LATE LIEUT. HAROLD FAIRCHILD."

Source:  LIEUT. FAIRCHILD DIED IN PLANE CRASH MONDAY,

The Pelham Sun, Apr. 14, 1933, Vol. 24, No. 4, p. 1, cols. 3-4.

NOTE:  Click Image To Enlarge.

"LIEUT. FAIRCHILD DIED IN PLANE CRASH MONDAY
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Lost Consciousness After Attaining Height Believed to Be 35,000 Feet, While Testing Plane.
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Son of Major John F. Fairchild Was Expert Aviator and Authority on Aeronautical Mechanics.
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Lieut Harold Fairchild, 24, son of Maj. John F. Fairchild, of Monterey avenue, former town engineer, was killed on Monday when an airplane he was testing crashed after having attained an altitude of 35,000 feet.  The accident occurred at Easthampton, Conn., near Hartford, where the young flier had been employed as a test pilot for the United Aircraft and Transport Corporation.  Lieut. Fairchild was known as an exceptionally able aviator.

Fairchild took off from Rentchler Field in East Hartford at 2 p.m.  He circled the field, settled the ship and rose again.  He continued upward until out of sight.  The next seen of him was when his airplane, with motor running full, suddenly broke through a cloud at about 3,000 feet, spinning around and around and then plunged directly to the ground.

Flyers who had been associated with Lieut. Fairchild expressed a belief that the pilot lost consciousness in the rarefied atmosphere through failure of his oxygen supply.  They believed he would have made an attempt to leave the plane by parachute if he had been conscious.  He was practiced in the use of a parachute.  They attached no unusual significance to the fact that there was no fire after the ship struck.  With the magneto system the danger of fire is less than under the old battery system.  The gasoline tank of the plane was smashed and the motor and propeller were buried three feet in the earth.  The young flyer's body was found crushed to death in the fuselage.  It took more than an hour for mechanics to cut away the metal which pinned Fairchild to the fuselage.  The instrument board was broken and the data sheets which test pilots usually carry strapped on their right leg to record observations, was missing.  Other portions of the plane indicated that when the pilot lost con-

(Continued on Page Five)

LIEUT. FAIRCHILD KILLED IN CRASH
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(Continued from Page One)

sciousness the plane was still set for upward climbing.

Lieutenant Fairchild was born April 29, 1908 in Pelham Heights, the son of Major John F. Fairchild and Mrs. Mary Welch Fairchild.  He was a member of the family which had been associated with the development of the Pelhams for many years.  His uncle is Ben L. Fairchild of Monterey avenue, former Congressman from the 24th District, whose only son was killed at Kelly Field, in a similar accident during the war.

During his high school days Lieut. Fairchild was an honor pupil.  He graduated with highest honors in 1924.  He was then 16 years old.  He was awarded five prizes for scholastic ability, included among which was the coveted school flag given the graduate who has maintained the highest four-year average in State Board of Regents examinations.

Because of his youth he was unable to enter the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that year and he remained at the high school for another year, taking a post graduate course.  He entered college in 1925 and was graduated with the class of 1929.  He took up aviation at Brook and Kelly fields in Texas.  He was a member of the 118th Observation Squadron of the Connecticut National Guard.

Lieut. Fairchild received his commission as second lieutenant at Brook Field in 1929.  He was advanced to First Lieutenant in the Connecticut National Guard recently.  

Lieut. Fairchild is survived by his father and a sister, who is the wife of the Rev. John J. Gebhard of Harrington Park, N. J.

Eight officers of the 118th Conservation Squadron, flying associates of Lieut. Fairchild were pall bearers at his funeral, which took place at the home of his sister, Mrs. T. W. Gebhard of Harrington Park, N. J., at 2:30 o'clock yesterday.  

A delegation of 26 of his associates of the research division of the United Aircraft and Transport Corporation, the National Guard Squadron and other close friends from Hartford attended.  

Three ministers conducted the services.  Rev. Wallace H. Finch pastor of Chester Hill M. E. Church of Mount Vernon was in charge, assisted by John G. Gebhard and Captain David A. Kennedy, chaplain of the squadron here.

The burial services will take place at Kensico this morning.

Former Congressman Ben L. Fairchild and Mrs. Fairchild left Pelham yesterday morning to attend the funeral services of their nephew.  George J. Mead, vice-president and director of the research division of United Aircraft, represented the aircraft company officials."

Source:  LIEUT. FAIRCHILD DIED IN PLANE CRASH MONDAY, The Pelham Sun, Apr. 14, 1933, Vol. 24, No. 4, p. 1, cols. 3-4 & p. 5, cols. 5-6.   

"WRECK OF AIRPLANE IN WHICH LIEUT. HAROLD

FAIRCHILD WAS KILLED AT EASTHAMPTON,

CONN.  -- Hartford Courant Photo"

Source:   LIEUT. FAIRCHILD DIED IN PLANE CRASH MONDAY,

The Pelham Sun, Apr. 14, 1933, Vol. 24, No. 4,

p. 1, cols. 3-4 & p. 5, cols. 5-6.  NOTE:  Click Image To Enlarge.

"LIEUT. HAROLD FAIRCHILD
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A life full of promise in the flowering of its early manhood, came to a tragic end on Monday, when Lieut. Harold Fairchild, came hurtling down through the skies in an airplane out of control.  From the dizzy height, believed to have been 35,000 feet, the intrepid airman suddenly came face to face with the mastery of the Universe.

Losing consciousness in the rarified atmosphere at such a height perhaps through the failure of his oxygen supply in some manner impossible to determine, the plane whirled wildly downward to crash among the rocks of a wooded ravine.  A crushed and broken body was all that remained beside the wreck of the plane.  He had never regained consciousness.

Two men, brothers, are left to mourn the loss of their only sons -- death coming to Franklyn Fairchild, son of former Congressman Ben L. Fairchild, at Kelly Field, during the Great War, and now Harold Fairchild, son of Major John F. Fairchild, is added to the long list of those who have sacrificed themselves in the cause of aviation.

Lieut. Fairchild was a brilliant student.  At Memorial High School he graduated with honors at 16!  His career in aviation was marked with the same degree of brilliance -- a cool, determined nature, of high courage, accompanied with an intellect far above the average.  He had achieved distinction in the world of aviation, and had he lived would without a doubt have had a noteworthy career.  

Our sympathies go out to the bereaved father, and in many, many Pelham homes, where Major Fairchild and his son are known and respected, the message of sympathy will be repeated in hushed tones."

Source:  LIEUT. HAROLD FAIRCHILD, The Pelham Sun, Apr. 14, 1933, Vol. 24, No. 4, p. 2, col. 1.  

"THE HAROLD L. FAIRCHILD TROPHY"

Source:  Air Race Trophy Is Memorial To Lieut. Fairchild --
THE HAROLD L. FAIRCHILD TROPHY, The Pelham Sun,
Aug. 18, 1933, p. 1, col. 7.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

"Air Race Trophy Is Memorial To Lieut. Fairchild
-----
THE HAROLD L. FAIRCHILD TROPHY

Placed in competition by the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Co., of Hartford, Conn. as a memorial trophy for Harold L. Fairchild, son of Major John F. Fairchild and nephew of Benjamin L. Fairchild, former Congressman, of Pelham Heights.  Harold Fairchild was killed in an aeroplane accident on April 10th at Hartford.  He was an authority on aeronautics and an expert aviator, making test and experimental flights for the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Co.  He was graduated an honor student from Pelham Memorial High School.  

The Fairchild Trophy is presented to the winner of the National Guard altitude race -- a flight to the height of a mile and return -- the aviator making the fastest time to be the winner.  It was won by Lieut. Charles L. Wright when competed for this summer at Hartford."

Source:  Air Race Trophy Is Memorial To Lieut. Fairchild -- THE HAROLD L. FAIRCHILD TROPHY, The Pelham Sun, Aug. 18, 1933, p. 1, col. 7.  

"FAIRCHILD RITES HELD TOMORROW
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Lieutenant Killed In Plane Crash
-----

PELHAM, April 12. -- Funeral services for Lieutenant Harold Fairchild, son of Major John F. Fairchild, will be held at Harrington Park, N. J., tomorrow at 2:30 P. M.  Lieutenant Fairchild was killed Monday when his plane crashed in Marlborough, Conn. after the daring young flyer had attained an altitude of more than six miles.

Services will be conducted by the Rev. Dr. W. H. Finch, pastor of Chester Hill Methodist Episcopal Church of Mount Vernon and the Rev. John Gebhard, Sr., Mount Vernon.  The latter's son, the Rev. John Gebhard, Jr., Harrington Park, was a brother-in-law of Lieutenant Fairchild.  Major Fairchild and his son had made their home with the Gebhards a few months ago.  Interment will be in Kensico Cemetery.  

Many classmates of Lieutenant Fairchild and his teachers at Pelham Memorial High School from where he was graduated in 1924, recalled today his brilliance as a student.  He was the leading pupil in the graduating class in nearly all courses and received several prizes at the commencement exercises.  

In aviation circles he had attained prominence especially for the contributions he made in the research program of the Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Company with which he was associated.  He was known as one of the country's most skillful altitude flyers."

Source:  FAIRCHILD RITES HELD TOMORROW -- Lieutenant Killed In Plane Crash, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Apr. 12, 1933, p. 12, col. 3.

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