LIEUTENANT MERRILL

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES via email from Betsy Hendrix, 4-27-07 Ralph,      In my researching the 1920's I came across another early aviator. Don't know 1st name but went by Lieutenant Merrill and is stated in the January 1920 paper as being "a famous aviator".      Anyway, this article tells about how he loaded his plane with the Journal newspapers, flew to Mt. Airy, Rural Hall, Elkin, N.Wilkesboro and Yadkinville, either dropping the papers by small parachutes or landing and then distributing. This was the 1st time an airplane had flown over the small town of Mt. Airy! I thought this was so interesting. Editor's Note: If you can help us to identify this mystery man, please contact me.

 

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. To read the etire article, click on the title

 

I have no information as to the dates of his birth or of his death.   If you have any information on this pioneer aviator please contact me. E-mail to Ralph Cooper

 

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