Name/Title
Mail Aviator Samuel Custer Eaton crash lands in oak treeEntry/Object ID
2013.13.1.136Description
Clippings and memorabilia from World War I scrapbook compiled by Dr. Naaman H. Keyser, page 133.
A single newspaper clipping, undated and from an unknown newspaper, is glued to page 133. The discussion appears to be associated with the clipping of the airplane stuck in an oak tree, as shown on page 131. The article notes "United States mail airplane No. ...38, flying over Philadelphia yesterday afternoon on a regular trip from College Point, Md., to New York, suddenly developed engine trouble and made a spectacular descent into the top of a large tree in West Johnson street, Germantown. The aviator, Samuel C. Eaton, although pinned helplessly between the airplane wreckage and the tree branches for the greater part of an hour, was not injured. The forced landing was made only a few blocks from the home of Eaton's parents, where his wife, with their six-months-old daughter Helen, were visiting at the time. The Eaton home is at 6319 Sherman Street. As the airplane approached Philadelphia Eaton saw that his engine was in trouble. He decided to make a landing at Bustleton, but three minutes later realized that he had to descend immediately. His only chance of saving his life was to pick out a large tree in which to land, so he made for the Jackson grounds. Hundreds of people saw the descent, and there was intense apprehension for the aviator's safety. In a short time a large crowd had assembled under the tree. Eaton, held prisoner fifty feet in the air between the branches and the airplane wreckage, reassured them by shouting that he was hurt. 'I'm all right!' he exclaimed; 'get me down out of this.'" Includes a photo of the aviator.
Pages are 7.5 x 10".Photograph Details
Subject Place
* Untyped Subject Place
unknownCollection
GHS Scrapbook CollectionMade/Created
Studio
UnknownNotes
Author: Unknown
