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via email from Barbara Lewellen, 1-29-06 Well, indeed, there is a George Van Arsdale. He completed a flight in January 4, 1911 in Denver and was with George M. Thompson in Lamar on August 21, 1912. George Van Arsdale flew a biplane built for E. Linn Mathewson in Denver on a snowy winter day January 4, 1911. George Van Arsdale was a former pupil of Glen Curtiss and George Thompson, a Wright pupil. George Van Arsdale flew 40 feet above the ground and covering a distance around the course of three and 1/3 miles. He had made an agreement with Thompson "that if the aeroplane took to the air-(he would) make a flight (covering) the full course of the speedway." George Van Arsdale fulfilled his promise to George and completed a full course around the speedway despite the fact that there was ten inches of snow on the ground and lift-off was difficult. George Van Arsdale was present in Lamar when George M. Thompson crashed his plane. Both George Van Arsdale and Linn Mathewson accompanied Thompson's body back home to Denver. George M. Thompson was Secretary of the Mathewson Aeroplane Company. Barbara Lewellen Longmont, Colorado |
FLIES MILE A MINUTE IN GALE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE MATHEWSON BIPLANE SHOWING THE DENVER BUILT AIRCRAFT MAKING ITS TRIAL FLIGHT AT THE DENVER MOTOR SPEEDWAY |
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Newspaper Clipping Courtesy of Barbara Lewellen |
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George is mentioned briefly on the entry of. Mathewson Automobile Co, Denver CO. You may click on: George E. Van Arsdale You may want to use the "Find" function on "Arsdale" |
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From The Early Birds of Aviation Roster of Members January 1, 1993 If you have any information on this Early Bird, please contact me. E-mail to Ralph Cooper Back 
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