Someone Walks Away With Half Money Collected When 'Human Fly' Scaled First National Bank, April 1, 1923

Cold Blooded Man Makes Get-Away. . . Hard-hearted Man Walks Away With Money Collected for Human Fly

Several hundred people gazed upward Saturday afternoon when Billie O’Brien, dare devil human fly, scaled the walls of the First National Bank building. Two climbs were given during the afternoon, the first one at 2:30 and the second one at 6 o’clock. The ascension started as the hats circulated with hundreds of pairs of eyes looking upward as he slowly climbed to the top. The stunt was staged under the auspices of American Legion and part of the proceeds taken in the collection went to the legion. Part of the money poured not one of the hats being circulated among the throng of spectators at the last performance never reached their intended destination. After taking up part of the collection himself, the human fly turned the hat over to a man nearby to complete the task. The task was completed insofar as the taking of the collection was concerned but the money was never turned over to O’Brien nor the legion. Instead, the collector took to his heels, carrying with him a number of iron men dropped into the hat by the spectators.

Another series of stunts will be given Sunday afternoon at the aviation field on the Alston avenue road. Between 2 and 3 o’clock an aeroplane flight will be made with O’Brien performing several daring stunts. One of his men will drop 3,000 feet in a parachute and while falling will cut a somersault in the air. O’Brien and his wife will also stage a number of thrilling stunts on the plane while it is in motion.

From page 2 of the Durham Morning Herald, April 1, 1923