Air Show Impressed Wilson Folk, June 17, 1919

From the Wilson Daily Times, June 17, 1919

Made a Fine Flight

Lt. Leazar and Sergt. Rieth entertained the people of Wilson last evening and demonstrated that he is a wonderful flyer when he circles a number of times over the city and did all kinds of stunts for the amusement of our people. He did the nose dip, colplaned, turned somersaults, and cavorted around mightily in the air. He rose to magnificent altitudes and then dipped down to near the earth. It was a fine spectacle and the people of Wilson appreciate his efforts to entertain them. Later he took Secretary Barlow over the city as related in another article.

These gentlemen have opened as aviation recruiting station in the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce and if you are interested in flying see them. The airmen are certainly enthusiastic over the subject of flying. They believe it is the coming method of Locomotion, because one can travel so much faster anywhere he desires to go than by any other method known to man. To sail through the air at the rate of 100 miles an hour is going some and above there are no obstructions either to interfere with the speed enthusiasts.

Left This Morning

The three planes under the command of Major Strong left Wilson this morning and the Country Club grounds about 11:30 for Weldon or Emporia, Va., where they dined. They will tomorrow, if the weather is good, keep on to Richmond and Washington and from thence to Atlantic City. They expect to return in about 20 days after their machines undergo repairs. They like Wilson and the club grounds, and desire us to thank the people of Wilson for the many courtesies shown them while in this city.

The airmen intended to leave yesterday afternoon but were unable to do so on account of the fog and threatening weather. There was some fog north of the city early this morning. The pathfinder or scout plane made an early ascent to ascertain how the clouds lay and found some fog. They could not make the flight then and waited until after 11 o’clock, until the Times weather reports for the day came in and we helped them to secure the weather up and down the road. Finding it clear in the neighborhood of Weldon and Emporia they started after the scout plane had been up and tried the air.