| Summary: | PLANE CARRIES ROGERS, POST TO FAIRBANKS PLANE CARRIES ROGERS, POST TO FAIRBANKS By CALVIN S. WHITE, United Press Correspondent FAIRBANKS, Alaska, Aug. 17.—(U.P.)—Wiley Post and Will Rogers came back to Fairbanks today in the big "flying hearse," piloted by Joe Crosson. It was only the day before yesterday they left, with all the city wishing them well, to go on a leisurely flight to Point Barrow on the arctic coast, that night their plane crashed on the edge of a river, only 15 miles short of their goal. AUTO HEARSE READY A handful of silent Alaska airmen stood with bared heads as Crosson's ship roared out of the mists, circled the airport, and glided down onto the field. An automobile, hearse from a Fairbanks undertaking firm sped out across the runways to the side of the Fairchild-Redwing plane. Attendants removed the bodies of the round-world flyer and the humorist from the cabin. They were blanketed, strapped to tiny cots. Fairbanks undertakers will complete the primitive embalming started by Dr. Henry W. Greist at Point Barrow hospital. CROSSON WEARY Crosson appeared tired and shaken from his 500-mile flight out of the arctic from Point Barrow. He said weather was bad for flying throughout, with most of the journey through the night. He flew his plane over passes of the Endicott and Koyukuk mountain ranges, seeking safety rather than speed. He stopped twice to refuel, at Wild River lake and at Stevens. Crosson will remain at Fairbanks, Alaska tonight, Pan-American Airways announced late today. Tomorrow Crosson will take off for Juneau, Alaska, where a fast twin-motored Electra plane is waiting for him at the Pan-American hangar for the flight to Seattle. The route to Seattle will be by way of White Horse, Telegraph Creek and Prince George, with two stops being made, the office announced. "The wreck was an unpleasant sight." Crosson said, indisposed to discuss his trip. "It is unexplainable how it could have happened." CROSSON GRIEVES Crosson showed deep grief at death of Post, whom he once rescued from the Alauka wilderness and whom he regarded as one of his best friends. He warned Post against flyine into the Arctic when the pair left Fairbanks Thursday, but the one eyed Oklahoman only laughed. Time of Crosson's departure was uncertain. It was raining hard here at noon, and he wanted weather conditions favorable as possible. It is a three-hour trip of 450 miles to Whitehorse, with another hour necessary for the 150 miles between Whitehorse and Juneau.
|
|---|