1883-1912 |
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Collection of Beryl (Signor) Nulph, 4-14-05 |
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via email from Beryl (Signor) Nulph, 3-30-05 I am writing as part of my genealogy research that I cannot find. 1. My father was a pioneer in aviation, and was a barnstormer. His name was: Harry A. Signor (H.A. Signor) 2. I'm trying to find which school he graduated from, and his pilots number. |
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This photo is from the letterhead which is available on the University of Milwaukee Library website. |
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3. There is a story to this. He had a partner, George Underwood, that they owned the Bi-plane, a "Sparling" I believe. 4. They were scheduled to participate in an air show in Callaeo, MO (near St. Louis) in September 1912. Don't know how many shows, or what "circuit" they were connected to. 5. One day they were to fly, it was very windy, and my father decided not to take the plane up, however, George decided he would and go alone. He did, he crashed, was killed, and my Dad was left with the job of accompaning his body back to his parents. 6. The Curtiss air Museum had the information of George's graduation, pilots number, said he crashed in September 1912, listing my dad, H.A. Signor as "Manager." Dad said that he died on the 13th , 13 was his lucky number, and he had 13 cents in his pocket when he died. Don't know if this is hearsay or not. 7. They had no other info, nor the newpaper article, hence I am writing everywhere I can think of to see what and where I should research next. 8. Did he graduate from Your school? I Thank you for any info you may help me with. Sincerely, Beryl (Signor) Nulph |
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George Underwood Fell From Sparling Biplane at Callaeo, Missouri Macon Republican Macon, Missouri: September 20, 1912, Collection of Beryl Nulph, 4-14-05 Underwood had made short flights Tuesday and Wednesday, to the great interest of the crowds. Thursday's performance was to have completed his engagement. Some 2000 or 3000 people witnessed the accident. |
THE AVIATOR DIED FRIDAY EVENING Injured While Making a Flight at the Calao Fair, Thursday, Sept. 19, 1912 Collection of Beryl Nulph, 5-5-05 The biplane arrived in Callao Tuesday morning, in charge of H. A. Signor, of Philadelphia, Pa., Manager; C. W. Bodine of Pittsfield, Ill., General Agent; C. W. Roherbaugh, of Kirksville, Ala,, Chief Machinist; H. M. Hinkley, of Lincoln, Ill., Second Machinist, and O. N. Wickherlam, of St. Louis, Third Machinist, and who is also learning to fly. The machine was set up and ready for a trial flight at 5:30 p. m. A short flight was made, but it was found that the rudder was too heavy and overbalanced the machine. Although the company had canceled their date at Center Point to be here the 17th, and were to be at Milton, Iowa, the 19th and 20th, they decided to remain here and try to fulfill their contract. A new rudder was secured from Kirksville and Wednesday evening another trial flight was made. Undserwood soon discovered that the machine was not properly adjusted and wa compelled to descend. Thursday morning the machine was put in good condition and the six cylinder 50-h. p. engine was working smoothly. At 12:15 p. m. Underwood left the ground and ascended rapidly. The field from which the flight was made is surrounded by hills, and after Underwood had risen a short distance, he was caught by a 50-mile wind and carried upward about 300 feet. He then attempted to make a landing and was within a few feet of the ground and started to ascend slightly to clear a fence when a strong gust was caught under the plane, carrying the machine rapidly upward and causing it to become unmanageable. Underwood attempted to jump, but was unable to clear the machine and fell with it to the ground. It is supposed that he struck the ground in a standing position. He was only slightly bruised and no bones were broken, but he skull was fractured and a blood clot formed. The machine was wrecked as a result of the fall and the morbid activities of souvenir hunters. When the men of the aviation company returned to the field, after carrying Underwood away, they fund the propeller, steering wheel and part of the wings had been sawed and cut off by those wanting relics of the accident. Underwood was taken to Dr. P. R. Tainter's office where everything possible was done and was afterward taken to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Victor Grove. Dr. Christy of Quincy came on No. 13, Thursday evening and , assisted by Dr. Miller of Macon, Dr. Tainter of Callao, and a trained nurse of Macon, removed a part of the blood clot from the brain. The operation was completed at 1:15 p. m. Underwood never regained consciousness after the accident and gradually grew worse until the time of his death, 9:03 p. m., Friday, Sept. 20. Mr. Underwood was 28 years old and was a native of West Virginia, but had not visited his home in that state for about eight years. He had been making his home in Santiago, Calif. Underwood was formerly a mining engineer, but about three years ago began the study of aviation and soon became a skilled aviator. He had been making flights in this part of the country since the first of the year, and made successful flights at Kirksville, Kehoka, and other points in Missouri and Iowa. He was a member of the United Aero Club, book number 104. Mr. Underwood was a man of good habits, and made friends wherever he went. He was unmarried. Immediately after the accident a telegram was sent to Mr. Underwood's mother. Mrs. Riggs and brother, C. A. Underwood, of Warden, West Virginia. The brother started at once for Callao, but after receiving another telegram announcing the death, decided not to come. After short funeral sevices at the house, Sunday, the body was taken to the depot and placed on No. 4 to be taken to Mr. Underwood's home in West Virginia. The Callao Concert band accompanied the casket to the depot and furnished appropriate music. The floral offerings were numerous and beautiful. The Callao Fair Association furnished a beautiful wreath, the Callao Concert band presented a lovely boquet of white carnations, and Mr. Brook Gordon also gave a handsome boquet. Mr. Hinkley and Mr. Wickherlam, of the aviation company, contributed the biplane which Mr. and Mrs. Victor Grove covered with flowers. C. W. Bodine, General Agent, stated Saturday night that the company in general worked hard while here to please the Fair Association, and up to that time they were very well pleased with the treatment accorded them by the Fair Association. He said the company especially desired to extend their sincere thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Victor Grove. |
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via email from Jayne Roberts, 4-2-08 I just read on my computer about Mr. Underwood. The ground where his plane crashed is right next to our home here in Callao, Mo. In June we are celebrating Callao's 150 years and hope to put a display in our museum that we are setting up about Mr. Underwood.It has been quite a topic of conversation around here for many years. If you have anything about Mr. Underwood that you would like to add to the display we would certainly appreciate it . Thank you Jayne Roberts Callao, Mo. 63534 Editor's Note: I told Jayne that all I know about him is to be found on this page. If you can add any more details of his life or career, please contact us. |
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Warden, West Virginia: September 24, 1912 Collection of Beryl Nulph, 4-14-05 Mr. Underwood was a native of Warden this county, where he was born and reared. About nine years ago he left for the western slope where he had been until recently when he returned as far east as Missouri. He has for some time past been engaged in making very successful biplane flights and was a graduate from the Curtiss Aviation School at Los Angeles, Cal., and was at the time of his fatal accident practicing for an aviation meet which held out a handsome purse to the most successful of those participating. He, though, like the ill-fated Paul Peck, was not only making an envious record, but when apparently reaching his zenith, haviing made over 400 flights was suddenly called upon to make his last long flight to the God who possessed him of his accomplishments. He was well and favorably known in this city and has numerous relatives in the county. His mother, Mrs. M. L Riggs, survives him. Interment took place Wednesday at the War Memorial Cemetery. |
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please contact me. E-mail to Ralph Cooper |
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