JOURNAL VISITS NEARBY PLACES IN AN AIRSHIP Hundreds of the First Monday Morning Issue Delivered by Aviator Merrill at Mt. Airy and Other Towns EARLY START STOPPED BY ICE IN RADIATOR Beautiful and Successful Flight in Afternoon--Makes Two Landings, Greeted by Crowds and Asked Many Questions       Another big event was chronicled in the history of the Winston-Salem Journal yesterday afternoon, when Lieutenant Merrill, a famous aviator, "tuned up" his plane and delivered hundreds of the first Monday morning issue of The Journal to the people in Rural Hall, Mt. Airy, Elkin, North Wilkesboro and Yadkinville.       The start was to have been made yesterday morning at eight o'clock, and Lieut. Merrill motored out to Maynard Field about seven o'clock. After filling up with hot water, and a large amount of hot oil the machine was started. After reaching a height of about 2,500 feet, the engine began to miss, and he was forced to land. Upon investigation it was found that the water had frozen in the radiator, and the trip had to be delayed until the machnine could be thawed out.       Everything was in readiness by one o'clock, and at 1:25, Lieut. Merrill left Maynard Field, heading straight for Rural Hall. Upon sighting the town, he circled it and dropped the papers, which were attached to a parachute. A number of people saw the airplane there, and many eyes were turned toward the heavens.      Immediately after dropping the papers at Rural Hall, the aviator headed straight for Mt. Airy, and upon arriving there circled the town twice, landing at 2:10. Mr. Merrill was met by Mr. C. E. Lundly who took the copies of the paper and distributed them to his customers and the regular Journal subscribers. Much interest was manifested there in The Journal, and many demands were made upon Mr. Merrill for more papers. Mr. Merrill was also asked many questions, the majority of which were, "Are you cold?" A large crowd gathered, and Lieut. Merrill was forced to stay by his machine, lest some one touch a lever, and wreck it. After filling the tank with gas, Mr. Merrill climbed into his plane and soared away for Elkin, leaving Mount Airy at 2:50. Arrives at Elkin      Twenty minutes later he arrived at Elkin, circling the tower, for about ten minutes, and then dropping the papers on the field designated. A large crowd had gathered here to catch a glimpse of the plane and the aviator states that the roads were lined with automobiles. The schools evidently dismissed their pupils, as there were an unusually large number of children in the crowd. There was a great scramble for The Journals, as they were dropped form the plane. leaving for North Wilkesboro at 3:30 At North Wilkesboro      Mr. Merrill landed at North Wilkesboro at 3:38 and was met by Mr. Brame, of the Brame Drug Company, who received the papaers, and supplied the aviator with gasoline. Numerous questions were asked Mr. Merrill, and enthusiasm was high. A number of people wanted to ride, even if for only five minutes, and one man insisted on coming back to Winston-Salem with him. This request could not be granted, however, as the weather was entirely too cold for anyone not equipped with an aviator's suit.      While here in North Wilkesboro the following conversation took place between Mr. Merrill and one of the Wilkesboro citizens.      "Is this a government plane you are driving?"      "No, it is a plane that I bought some time ago," replied the aviator.      "Well, we have been hearing that the government was going to send a plane up here to locate stills, and we thought this might be one of them." Flies High and Returns      Lieut. Merrill states that he took the tip, and flew high on the way back, less some husky moonshiner suspect him as being a government inspector, and take a shot at him.      Leaving North WIlkesboro at 4:05, he set out for Yadkinville. The aviator flew just over the tree-tops and dropped the papers in the courthouse square. He recognized Mr. Sampson and waved a friendly greeting to him. After circling the town once, he set out for Winston-Salem and reached Maynard Field at exactly five o'clock. The actual flying time of the trip was 138 minutes.      Mr. Merrill states that he had a good trip, and that the weather conditions were ideal. He commented on the beauty of the scenery up the Yadkin river, from Elkin to Wilkesboro, and on his way across the mountains from Wilkesboro to Yadkinville, he kept "one eye open" for any curl of smoke that might make the delicate task of landing in the treetops worth while.      Mr. Merrill has had more than four hundred hours of flying and has never had an accident. He has been engaged in commercial flying for some time, and has carried hundreds of passengers. Mt. Airy Appreciative      Mount Airy Jan. 5,---For the first time in the history of Mount Airy, an airplane flew over this city. Curious crowds had collected as early as nine o'clock this morning along Main street to witness the arrival of the vanquisher of the air, and waited in vain all during the forenoon. It was not until 2:15 p. m,, that the flying machine made its appearance circling over the city and later disappearing to the fair grounds where the birdman volplaned to earth. After delivering the copies of the Winston-Salem Journal the machine rose gracefully into the air and disappeared over the hills towaard Elkin and North Wilkesboro.

Winston-Salem Journal January 6, 1920 Transcribed by Betsy Hendrix, 9-3-07

 

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