Charles S. (Casey) Jones

BIOGRAPHY

Charles S. (Casey) Jones
Collection of Daniel L. Jones, 6-19-08

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES
via email from -Daniel Langdon Jones, 3-25-08 Hello,
Thank you for your fine website. I was searching for more information about my great-uncle, Charles Sherman "Casey" Jones, and did find some references.

But I wonder - would he also have been considered an Early Bird? I did not see him listed in either of the lists. But he surely must have soloed prior to 17 Dec 1916, as he began his flight instruction in 1913, and was an instructor himself at Issoudon, France by 1917 (until 1918, when he flew in WWI and served with French Service Aeronautique SPA. 95).

In any event, I did find one grainy photo of Casey on your website - is there a possibility that you have an original, or any other items related to him? I have been working on genealogy and family history for some time now, but as Casey was something of an "eccentric" we don't have much insofar as photos, references etc for him.

Thank you again and best regards,
-Daniel Langdon Jones
Editor's Note: Clearly Casey would have been eligible to join the Early Birds of Aviation organization. However, he appears to have been one of many who either weren't invited to join or who simply were not interested. Nevertheless, I think he certainly merits inclusion on my website. My thanks to Daniel for the additional information.

PROGRAM OF FLYING FIELD EVENTS
Air Meet Proper Will Start Tomorrow
Speed Trophy Race Wednesday
Here is a detailed schedule of what spectators at the International Air Meet will see, including attractions today, Sunday, September 30, 1923. St. Louis Field was opened yesterday for some advance attractions, but the meet proper starts tomorrow. The program:
Today 11 a. m.,---Gates open. Aeronautical exhibition in tents, showing progress of development of aircraft and motors. Racing pilots will be trying out their planes. Last of contestants in the "On-to-St. Louis" race will be arriving by air.
2 p. m.---Mulvihill trophy race for model airplanes; 27 youths have models entered, each craft being powered by rubber strands.
7 p. m.---Demonstration of night flying by an army night bombing squadron, with field and planes illuminated.
Tomorrow 9 a. m.---Gates open.
9:30 a. m.---Demonstration of the Farman plane, the smallest plane in the world, which weighs only 600 pounds but can make 60 miles an hour.
10 a. m.---Arrival of Veiled Prophet by airplane, this being the first time his majesty has ever appeared in public except for his annual parade and ball.
10:30 a. m.---Reception to the Veiled Prophet by Miss Alice Busch, retiring Queen of the Court of Love and Beauty; two special maids, maids and matrons of honor, Air Board officials and visiting dignitaries.
10:45 a. m.---Demonstration by airship TC-3 from Scott Field, with helium in its gas bag.
11 a. m.---Event No. 2, Flying Club of St. Louis trophy race, for civilians only; distance 93 miles, three times around the course. Prizes, $500, $300 and $200 in each of two classes, speed and efficiency.

Entrants: Robert P. Hewitt, 1 (plane number), Farman "sport";
Charles Sherman Jones, 2, Curtiss Oriole;
Lawrence B. Sperry, 14, Messenger;
Edmond T. Allen, 27, B. A. S.;
Maj. William B. Robertson or Lieut. Frank H. Robertson, 28, special;
Walter E. Lees, 59, Hartzell Prop. Co. FC-1;
Perry G. Hutton, 61, Laird Swallow;
John K. La Grone, 665, Rogers-Day.

12 noon.---Arrival of air mail squadron---10 planes from Omaha, Neb.; three from San Francisco; three from New York and two from Washington, D. C.
From St. Louis Post-Dispatch
September 30, 1923

FLYING CLUB OF ST. LOUIS TROPHY RACE, 1923 Seven contestants took part in the event, a 150-mile race for light planes with engines of 90 horsepower or less. The contestants got into the air at 11:00 a.m., and "Casey" Jones jumped into the lead in his "Oriole." He led for the entire first lap of the 50-kilometer course, with Lawrence B. Sperry close behind in his "messenger," followed by R.P. Hewitt's Farman "Sport," Walter E. Lees' Hartzell FC1, Perry Hutton's Laird "Swallow."{ St. Louisan William Robertson's "Special," and Tex La Grone's Rogers "Day/" On the second lap,, Sperry, who was "hedge-hopping" at a jheight of 20 feet, took the lead from Jones, but he was overtaken by Lees at the start of the third and final lap. The rest of the field trailed behind the three leaders, with Tex La Grone three miles back. In the home stretch of the last lap, Sperry was only 200 yards behind Lees when he was forced down by ignition trouble. He made swift repairs and was able to complete the race. Lees crossed thefinish line at 12:04:50 p.m. with a total time of 62 minutes and 37.02 seconds, anaverage speed of 89.31 miles per hour, for which hewon the trophy and $500/ Perry Hutton was third for $200, at a speed of 85.28 miles per hour. Robertson was fourth at 83.95, La Grone fifth at 81.05, Hewitt sixth at 78.43, and Sperry last, his average dropping from 87.65 miles per hour for two laps to 71.95 for the entire race. It was a fine opoening event and was well appreciated by the enthusiastic crowd.
From CITY OF LIGHT

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