Aviator Keene Dashed to Earth Yesterday in Park River. Flight Backed By Local Men. F. G. Kenworthy and Thos. McGoey Managed Aeroplane and Aviator. Was Unconscious for Short Time. Rambled in Talk for Hours but No Serious Results Anticipated. Park River, N. D., July 4. – C. W. Keene of St. Louis, Missouri, flying in a machine leased by the Kenworthy-McGoey aviation firm of Grand Forks, was dashed to the ground yesterday afternoon while making a flight before 4,000 people at Park River, and at a late hour last night lay in a stunned condition in a Park River residence. Keene was in the employ of the Kenworthy-McGoey firm to run their machine until Thomas McGoey of the firm, had more time to perfect his education in aerial flying. The machine built by Mr. McGoey during the past year in Grand Forks was too heavy for the 40-60 engine that had been secured and in order to carry out their contract at Park River, a machine was secured from St. Louis and shipped to Park River for the Fourth of July flight. The road in the enclosure at Park River was not long enough to get a good start in and Aviator Keene took his machine some distance out, where he could get several blocks straight run and with an enthusiastic crowd of 4,000 cheering him on, he started in the fateful flight. The machine rose prettily to a height of from 10 to 20 feet above the ground and soared along for five or six hundred feet. Without an instant’s warning or hesitation the airship suddenly turned completely over while going at top speed through the air, throwing Keene clear of the machine and crashing to the ground, wrecking the airship, so it will take considerable time and expense to make repairs. Keene was thrown on his head and shoulders, and while no bones were broken nor apparent bruises are shown, nevertheless he was stunned for a considerable length of time, and up to a late hour last night he could not collect his thoughts enough to tell a clear story of how the accident happened or what is to blame for the mishap. The attending physicians stated, however, that he was merely dazed and stunned and would be all right this morning after a good night’s rest. Keene’s first words when picked up, according to a Park River man, were to the effect that the machine was too sensitive.
History of the Local Airship. The history of the local airship is interesting and denotes a stick-to-it-ive-ness on the part of Messrs. Kenworthy and McGoey that is generally thought to be worthy of commendation. About a year ago Mr. McGoey conceived the idea of building an aeroplane, and Kenworthy agreed to finance the venture if McGoey would do the work. McGoey, who is an expert electrician and mechanic, then built an aeroplane, modeled after a Farman, that was perfect in every detail and a model of fine workmanship and skilled balance. There was one fatal mistake made, however, that prevented the local machine from flying last week, and that was the fact that the local men had misjudged the size of an engine needed and had ordered a 40-60 engine, whereas, a 60-80 was required to float the craft, which weighs 918 pounds. This was discovered after Aviator Keene had come to Grand Forks to fly at the Park River exposition, and to perfect McGoey’s knowledge of flying and handling the aeroplane. The firm saw it would go too late to secure a 60-80 engine from Rochester, N. Y., where the engines were made, and wishing to make good at Park River, wired to St. Louis and had an aeroplane sent here by first express. The machine arrived Monday and was sent on to Park River, set up by Messrs. McGoey and Keene for the Fourth of July flight. The crowd was impatient to see the exhibition of aerial navigation and probably induced Keene to make this flight before he was really ready for the nerve-racking trial. It was a great show of execution and skill while the machine was right, but someone of the many possibilities of floating through the higher regions was at hand to stop yesterday’s flight and as a result the machine is a wreck and Keene is suffering with a hazed mind, although thankful that it was no worse. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Wednesday Morning, July 5, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 212, Page 1)
Regretted the Incident – The initial flight of the Kenworthy-McGoey aeroplane, or rather the attempted flight, at Park River, was watched with considerable interest by Grand Forks people and there were many expressions of regret when the news of the unfortunate accident reached the city. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Wednesday Morning, July 5, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 212, Page 6)
Aviators Not Discouraged. Returned from Park River Determined to Make Successful Flight. C. W. Keene Little the Worse for His Experience at Park River and Work Will Be Begun on Repairing and Adjusting Aeroplane for Flight in Course of a Week – Narrow Escape for Keene. Aviator C. W. Keene, F. G. Kenworthy, Thomas McGoey and their assistants returned to Grand Forks last evening from Park River, the scene of the accident on Tuesday in which Mr. Keene was badly stunned and the aeroplane somewhat damaged. In spite of the mishap, all of the party, including Aviator Keene, were in excellent spirits and all insist that they are not by any means through with the flying game. Mr. Kenworthy stated emphatically last evening that he was going to stay with the proposition and says that only more time for better adjustment was necessary to have insured a splendid flight at Park River. The aeroplane is not so badly damaged as was first thought and was brought in on the train last evening. Work of repair and adjustment is going to begin today and it is expected that the machine will be ready for flight again in the course of a week. In the attempted flight at Park River Mr. Keene left the ground in less than a hundred feet and had a pretty start, when for some unknown reason the aeroplane dipped forward and turned over. It is almost a miracle that Keene was not killed, for the propeller following the accident was making its revolutions as usual less than a foot from his head while he lay unconscious. In speaking of the accident last evening, Mr. Keene, who showed no effects as a result of the accident, said that the flight was made by him with the full knowledge that too short a time had been devoted to getting the machine, which arrived the same day from the factory, in proper shape for flying. The crowd, however, was so insistent that he decided to take the chance and attempt to fly to humor them. He remembers nothing after the start and can say nothing as to the cause of the accident, except that the aeroplane was not properly adjusted. The control of the machine was old style and not easy of operation. This defect will be remedied before the next attempt is made. The Kenworthy-McGoey plane, which is still at the fair grounds, is, according to Aviator Keene, a splendidly constructed piece of machinery, but too heavy for the engine. The engine is a 60 horse power engine to fly the 919 pounds of weight represented in the aeroplane constructed by the local men. It is also probable, however, that this will be lightened up and given a tryout. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Thursday Morning, July 6, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 213, Page 8).
Working on Aeroplane – Aviator Keene and Messrs. Kenworthy and McGoey are hard at work these days putting their biplane in shape for a flight. Examination has shown that the damage to the machine was not nearly so heavy as at first thought, and the aviators expect to complete the work early next week. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Saturday Morning, July 8, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 215, Page 6)
Grand Forks Aviators Are Successful. Seven Flights of Short Duration Made Last Evening by Thomas McGoey. Kenworthy-McGoey Machine Demonstrated Last Evening It Is Flyer. Trials Were Made Last Evening at Fair Grounds and Were Very Successful – Aviator McGoey Expects to Try Machine Out Tomorrow thoroughly Before Making any Extended Flights – Contracts Pending. Thos. McGoey of Grand Forks, in a Kenworthy-McGoey flying machine, made seven successful flights at the state fair grounds last evening, with about 100 enthusiastic spectators cheering the first successful flight made in a North Dakota machine by a North Dakota man. Word had been passed about last evening that the flight was to be attempted and at 7 o’clock, with weather conditions ideal the machine was wheeled out into the big open space at the fair grounds and “cranked up.”
Everything was in first class order, but McGoey did not attempt to fly the first time down the field, being satisfied with merely “feeling her out” and getting his bearings. The second time the machine was started, however, he worked the elevator easily and the aeroplane gracefully rose to a height of about 40 feet and floated for a 100 yards. Then the local aviator see-sawed up and down and skimmed lightly over the surface, sometimes a few feet up, and other times touching and then shooting to a height of 15 or 20 feet. When the end of the field was reached the engine was stopped, the machine turned around and before the evening’s practice was over seven successful flights had been made. The Kenworthy-McGoey machine now seems an assured success – at least last night’s flights demonstrated beyond a doubt that the experimental stage was no more. It is only a question of a week or 10 days of practice, until Aviator McGoey will be able to successfully turn around in mid-air-dip and make practically all the turnings and writhings necessary to cover a swallow-like flight – all this, of course, provided there is no accident, but this possibility seems as remote with McGoey as with the average aviator, since his first attempt was far beyond the usual success of a beginner.
The propeller on the local machine rotates 1200 times a minute, the engine that causes these revolutions having been especially made at Rochester, N. Y., for the aeroplane. A little incident last evening shows the terrible force the propeller cuts the air with. While going down the field on one of his flights a ruler dropped out of McGoey’s pocket into the propeller. The ruler was cut into little two or three inch pieces and some of the spectators picked them up for 400 feet or more from the path of the aeroplane. As the successful ending of his first evening in the air, McGoey turned the machine sideways in the air and landed over by the main building, where she was stored for the night. The flights in the future will be as private as possible to avoid the danger of accidents. With a large crowd at liberty on the grounds it is difficult to skim around and practice turning, and probably many attempts will be made in the early hours of the morning or at unexpected intervals during the day.
Immediately upon seeing the immense success of the aeroplane, F. G. Kenworthy, who is financing the venture, wired to several points where contracts have been pending and received word that the feature would gladly be contracted for at those cities. Due to the fact that the papers have not been signed as yet, the names are not ready for publication. Grand Forks people and North Dakotans in general will congratulate the local aviators, if their future successes are in proportion to the first evening of real North Dakota flying. The local venture has been watched by thousands with interest and the stick-to-it-iveness of the local men in the face of many reverses has been the subject of considerable favorable comment.
To Fly at Fair. The continued success of the local airship will mean an added attraction at the North Dakota State fair, beginning July 25. The local machine will be one of the features at this great exposition and will be the first North Dakota machine ever flown before a North Dakota audience with a North Dakota aviator. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Thursday Morning, July 13, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 219, Page 8).
Improves With Every Flight. Aviator Thomas McGoey Gave Splendid Exhibition Last Evening. Made Two Circles Out Over Lilac Hedge Farm, Adjoining the Fair Grounds and Showed Perfect Control of Machine – Wonderful Record Has Been Made By Local Bird Man in the Last Week. Thomas McGoey, the Grand Forks aviator, made a flight last evening, surpassed by none ever made in the Northwest for ease and gracefulness. Starting in the trial course at the fair grounds, McGoey arose to a height of 120 feet, circled northward over the fair fence, over the Lilac Hedge farm, the coulee and then again to the south to the Northern Pacific tracks. Taking a northeasterly course McGoey then sailed over the big Main building at the fair grounds, dove 75 feet toward the ground, raised again to about 100 feet up and completed another circle, alighting in the middle of his course in order to look over the machine. The evening was everything that could be desired in point of weather. The air was perfectly still, the glare of the sun was hidden under a set of murky clouds, and the temperature was just right for a tryout. It was McGoey’s intention when he first started out to fly to the Dobmeier farm, two miles from the fair grounds, and return, but the lateness in getting started, due to some negotiations on a contract, prevented this trial, which will be made later in the week.
Not to disappoint the large crowd, which had assembled to see this daily practice, the local airman made the flight of two monster circles and was about to start on another of bigger proportions when a loose wire caused a temporary stopping of the propeller, and due to the fact that darkness was fast approaching, the flights for the evening were discontinued. “It’s a delightful sensation 100 feet in the air,” said McGoey, when asked how it felt to flit over the grounds at a speed of 55 miles per hour. “The weather conditions are ideal, and the machine is working as smoothly as could be desired.” McGoey, who has been flying less than a week, shows promise to be an aviator of national fame if he does not meet with an untimely accident. In speaking of his work in the local aeroplane, a man who has followed aviation since he can remember, stated last evening that no man has ever even attempted the sensational maneuvers and twists in the air, in so short a time after beginning as McGoey. “Of course,” the speaker added, “he may fall today or tomorrow or next week, but so far as he has gone there has been no man in the country whose first week has been so eventful as that of Aviator McGoey.”
To Close Grounds. The big crowds which are out every night to witness these flights are rather hard to handle. Each time the aeroplane alights on the ground, hundreds rush out and surround the machine, and several times McGoey has had to do some lively steering when coming down to avoid people standing out in the field. As a result of this the managers of the machine plan to take it out to a farm, several miles from the fair grounds for future flights, or to close the gates at the grounds in order to keep the crowds out when the starts are being made.
Sunday’s Flight. Sunday night marked the real beginning of McGoey’s career as an aviator. Prior to that time he had been skimming back and forth inside the fair grounds, becoming accustomed to his machine. Sunday, however, in the face of a stiff wind from the north McGoey sailed over the fair grounds fence in a big circle, similar to those of last night, and alighted safely in the grounds again, after making a flight lasting three minutes and covering about a mile and three quarters. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Tuesday Morning, July 18, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 223, Page 8).
Flying Feats By Local Man. Thomas McGoey Covered Seven Miles in Flights Last Evening. Local Aviator Went Up Last Evening to Height of 300 Feet and Cut Number of Capers That Are Used By Experienced Aviators in Thrilling the Crowds – Was in the Air Nine Minutes. Flying three and one half miles to the Dobmeier farm and then circling in dizzying figures in the air at a height of 300 feet was the record of Thomas McGoey, the local aviator, in his last evening’s practice. For several nights the large crowds that congregate at the fair grounds have bothered the local aviator and in order to avoid accidents he decided to take the machine away from the place in reach of the crowds and took the easiest way of transportation to him – flying. The three and one half mile flight could hardly be surpassed for beauty and unerring skill. Rising out of the fair grounds in the face of a 10-mile wind, McGoey pointed the machine straight southwest and headed for the Dobmeier meadow, where a quarter section of hay land, forming as perfect an aviation field as can be found in the Northwest.
A handful of spectators awaited his arrival at the field. F. G. Kenworthy, who handles the financial end of the Kenworthy-McGoey firm, assistants, Grossman and Simon, who are the right hand bowers of Aviator McGoey, and a Herald representative, comprised the party that witnessed one of the prettiest landings ever made. After reaching the meadow McGoey sailed speedily for the clear spot in the center and when about 30 (feet) from the ground shut off his engine and dipped toward terra firma. When about five feet up he slanted the machine out and gracefully landed in the short stubble and with the brake brought her to a full stop. After oiling up and looking over the wires to see if any had worked loose McGoey made a flight which would pull down a purse in any competition.
Cuts Figure Eight. Rising to a height of 300 feet he circled in a half mile loop twice at a speed estimated at 55 miles per hour. Then he took a 250 dive towards the earth elevating the machine again and cutting a big ridge up and down. Then for the first time the local birdman turned a circle to the right. The propeller on the local aeroplane is commonly called a “left hand” propeller and even the big aviation schools warn their men not to attempt a circle to the right with an opposite direction propeller. McGoey, however, braved this and cut a pretty figure eight in the air gracefully descending to where he had started from exactly nine minutes after starting upward. The feats of last evening demonstrated beyond any possibility of a doubt the success of the local machine men. The aeroplane is graceful to an unusual degree, McGoey is an aviator of finish and cool headedness, although less than a week old as an air flyer, and both Kenworthy and McGoey deserve all the success they have gained, because of their pluckiness in the face of many defeats and reverses. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Wednesday Morning, July 19, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 224, Page 6)
Grand Forks Aviator Continues His Success. Successful flights are now becoming the order of the day with Aviator Thomas McGoey of this city. Last evening Mr. McGoey made another flight which was as pretty an exhibition as anyone could wish to see. The aeroplane is now out at the Dobmeier farm and will be kept there until shipped from the city to fill the contracts already signed up. Aviator McGoey was in the air last evening some nine minutes and demonstrated again his perfect control of the machine. Although he tried no fancy exhibition stunts he soared around the big field several times, cut a circle around a hay stack on the field rose to a height of 200 feet, then dipped down barely skimming the earth and then rose again to the height of a hundred feet. Aviator McGoey is rapidly becoming an enthusiastic bird man and declared that there is no game that compares with the sport of cutting circles in the air away above the ground. Every flight, he says, teaches him something about the control of the machine, about the air currents and other of the finer points connected with successful aviation. His mechanical training is serving him well and the breaks of a minor nature in the machine have been taken care of without delay. The matter of engaging Mr. McGoey to fly at the state fair is being seriously considered by the board of directors and it is not unlikely that a deal will be closed. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Thursday Morning, July 20, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 225, Page 2)
Two Aviators To Fly At Fair; All In Readiness For Opening. Fine Program For Tuesday. Opening Day of Fair Is Grand Forks Day – Stores Will Be Closed. Parmelee and McGoey to Fly. Noted Aviator and Local Man Who Has Demonstrated Skill to Aviate. Deal Was Closed With Local Enthusiast Last Evening – Fair Grounds Scene of Real Activity Yesterday – Special Exhibits Will Be Interesting Feature – Other Features of State Fair. Yes theyre all coming in for the big state fair. To say that the North Dakota fair which throws its gates open to the public at 8 o’clock Tuesday morning is going to be the biggest, best and most satisfying from every point of view in the fair history of North Dakota is to say what has already been said scores of times. But the best part of it all is that the statement is unqualifiedly true. The directors held their last meeting last evening before the big show and each and every one made the above statements with variations. In fact the exhibits are coming in so fast that the directors were busy last evening telephoning around for tents in which to house some of the arrivals.
And there are going to be two aviators at the big state fair. The contract with Messrs. Thomas McGoey and F. G. Kenworthy whereby Mr. McGoey will fly on each day of the fair was formally signed last evening assuring the biggest double attraction ever offered the people of the state of North Dakota. Just think for a moment two aeroplanes, Philip O. Parmelee and the king pin of the Wright squad and Thomas McGoey the local man who has been so successful during the past two weeks will both give exhibitions. There is no chance for a fall down with this pair. Both have made good. Parmelee is an aviator of national reputation, while McGoey has been successful in every flight he has attempted with the Curtiss model biplane owned by the company of which he is a member. Parmelee is expected in the city this evening with his Wright bi-plane and the people who come for the fair may expect to see some sensational features rivaling even the splendid exhibitions given in this city by the late Arch Hoxsey. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Sunday Morning, July 23, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 228, Page 1)
McGoey To Fly at Thief River Falls. Bi-Plane Was Shipped to Thief River Falls, Where McGoey Flies Tomorrow. Thomas McGoey and F. G. Kenworthy of the Kenworthy-McGoey Aeroplane company, left yesterday morning for Thief River Falls, Minn., with their Curtis machine, where, beginning tomorrow, Mr. McGoey will give daily flights on August 2, 3 and 4, at the Pennington county fair. This will be the local aviator’s initial appearance in the flights. All are confident, however, that he will make good. A contract has also been signed with the Polk county, Minn., fair association, and the local aviator will appear in Crookston on September 12, 13 and 14. Contracts have been signed for flights at Langdon, N. D., for August 10 and 11. Prospective contracts are under way for exhibition flights at St. Cloud, Minn., Rochester, Minn., Huron and Mitchell, S. D. A booking agency is at the present time negotiating with the local aviation firm for a year’s contract. Whether the contract will be signed or not depends on whether the agency will come cross with enough money. The Kenworthy-McGoey company expects to have their other aeroplane rebuilt by the latter part of August and at that time will use a real made in Grand Forks machine. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Tuesday Morning, August 1, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 235, Page 10)
McGoey To Fly At Langdon. Local Aviator Has Signed Contract to Fly During Fair Week. The feature of the Cavalier county fair this year will be aeroplane flights by Thomas McGoey, the local aviator. The fair association has signed a contract with McGoey to fly the Kenworthy-McGoey Curtiss biplane at the fair at Langdon, August 10 and 11. The other features of the fair are to be of the very best, and there is no doubt that the entire fair will be much better than it has ever been before. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Wednesday Morning, August 2, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 236, Page 6)
Tom McGoey Successful. Although Engine Did Not Work Well, He Flew Twice at Thief River Falls. Manager Kenworthy Said Last Evening That Gasoline Was Not of Quality Necessary to Insure Good Flying – Aviator McGoey Will Fly Again Today and Better Results Expected. Although Thomas McGoey, the local aviator, did not make as successful flights as he has made in this city, he treated Thief River Falls fair visitors to two satisfactory flights yesterday. Word received from Thief River Falls last evening was to the effect that the gasoline secured at that place was not of the best, and consequently the engine was not in particularly good running order. Manager Kenworthy stated that better gasoline would be received this morning. The first flight made was about a mile long, but McGoey did not get very far into the air. He gave the fair visitors the best he could under the circumstances, and was given hearty applause during both flights. The fair association is looking for much larger attendance today, and, with weather conditions of the best and his engine over-hauled, McGoey will undoubtedly make good. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Thursday Morning, August 3, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 237, Page 8).
Rain Prevents Biplane Flight. Aviator Thomas McGoey Was Unable to Make an Attempt at Thief River Yesterday. From 3 o’clock on yesterday afternoon, there was a steady down-pour of rain at Thief River Falls, which prevented Aviator Thomas McGoey from making his scheduled flights. Rain began to fall just as it had been practically decided to wheel the aeroplane out of the tent and make an attempt. McGoey will fly today at Thief River provided conditions are right. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Friday Morning, August 4, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 238, Page 6)
Two Flights By McGoey. Grand Forks Aviator Winds Up Work at Thief River Falls Fair. Law Suit Will Probably Result From Cancellation of the Contract by the Fair Management Who Are Disgruntled Over Failure of McGoey to Fly in the Rain on Thursday – Flights Yesterday. Aviator Thomas McGoey made two flights yesterday at the Pennington county fair, Thief River Falls, Minn., one in the afternoon and one in the evening. The afternoon flight was not a success from an exhibition standpoint owing to the high wind, but in the evening McGoey gave an eight mile flight that was the occasion of much favorable comment. That the Kenworthy-McGoey company in going to have some difficulty in collecting for their flights at Thief River Falls is evident from the fact that the fair management canceled the contract Thursday evening. Thursday afternoon when the biplane was ready to fly it began to rain, and although the “Grand Forks” was kept out in the rain for an hour to be ready for the air as soon as the rain ceased to fall, there was not let-up and no flight was made. The exhibitions on Wednesday were not of the best order from the fact that the gasoline furnished at Thief River Falls was poor stuff. It tested only 55, while the gasoline necessary to run the engine of the bi-plane must test 70. Although there was considerable wind yesterday afternoon, Aviator McGoey determined to make an attempt to get into the air. He was successful for the first time and covered about two miles straight away. The wind, however, compelled him to light. He endeavored to get up against the wind four successive times without success and finally tried it with the wind. He was able to get up only 12 or 15 feet when the wind again forced him to light.
Fortunately on all these occasions he was able to light without breaking the machine. At sundown the wind had gone down considerably and McGoey flew eight miles lighting in an oat field outside of the fair grounds. The crowded condition of the grounds and the rough land made it impossible for him to light inside the grounds without danger. The spectators who saw the flight last evening were well satisfied. Manager Kenworthy said last evening that although the fair management had canceled his contract he proposes to fight the thing through. He claims that rain made it impossible to fly Thursday, that he filled the contract yesterday and that the contract was also filled on Wednesday to the best of his ability with the poor quality of gasoline furnished. Mike Simon and Moses Rosensweig of the company’s adherents returned to the city last evening. Mr. Simon stated that the contract had certainly been filled to the best of the company’s ability considering the unfortunate weather. It was learned last evening from Thief River Falls that a good many of the people were quite wrathy over the result of the exhibition and will probably contest the Kenworthy-McGoey claim. The company was to receive $1,000 for the six flights. Next week McGoey will fly at the Cavalier county fair at Langdon. If the weather is at all favorable the Langdon people will see some splendid flying, for with proper conditions McGoey is able to deliver the goods. Manager Kenworthy also stated last evening that he had a contract up for consideration with the South Dakota state board of Huron, S. D. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Saturday Morning, August 5, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 239, Page 8).
Money Paid To Company. Thief River Falls Fair Management Settles with Kenworthy and McGoey. Local Aviation Enthusiasts Will Leave Tomorrow Morning for Langdon, Where Tom McGoey Will Fly at the Cavalier County Fair – Conditions at Thief River Were Unusually Bad for Flying. Thomas McGoey, F. G. Kenworthy and Samuel Grossman returned last evening from Thief River Falls, Minn., where Aviator McGoey flew at the Pennington county fair. The promised trouble over the settlement of the contract will not result from the fact that the fair management settled in full with Manager Kenworthy before he left Thief River. The successful flights of Friday convinced the fair people of the good faith of the company and they decided to pay over the money. Speaking of conditions at Thief River last evening, all of the members of the party declared that weather and ground conditions were abominable for exhibitions. It was impossible to fly on Thursday because of rain, while on Tuesday poor quality gasoline prevented satisfactory work. Having learned their lesson regarding the gasoline, the company will carry with them the 90 proof quality in the future. Tomorrow the biplane, which was brought in last evening, will be shipped to Langdon, where this week McGoey will fly at the Cavalier county fair. The successful flights at the state fair of Aviator McGoey, besides the many successful practice flights, should insure the people of Cavalier county exhibitions that will be satisfactory and thrilling. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Sunday Morning, August 6, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 240, Page 10)
McGoey Makes Two Flights. Local Aviator Was Successful in Two Flights Yesterday at Cavalier. Aviator Thomas McGoey gave two fine flights at Langdon yesterday afternoon and evening and the large crowd assembled were more than pleased with his work. The attendance at the Cavalier county fair this year is large owing to the splendid crop about to be harvested and the exhibit departments are well filled. Naturally the aeroplane is the big feature of the fair and the successful flights of yesterday mean much to the fair management. Aviator McGoey flew yesterday afternoon about 4 o’clock and again in the evening, remaining in the air about eight minutes in each flight. He did not attempt any fancy work and maintained a height from the ground of about 100 feet. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Friday Morning, August 11, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 244, Page 10)
McGoey Had An Accident. Aeroplane Struck Barn but Aviator was not Injured by Mishap. Aeroplane Suffered Injuries, However, That Can Be Repaired Without Much Incovenience – Strong Wind Was Responsible for Machine Veering So That Plane Struck End of the Barn. The Kenworthy-McGoey aviation concern of this city suffered a rather unfortunate accident late yesterday afternoon at Langdon, when one of the planes on Aviator McGoey’s machine struck a barn as he was endeavoring to rise up into the air and brought the machine to the ground. Mr. McGoey was uninjured, but the machine was damaged considerable. Manager Kenworthy stated, however, last evening that the “Grand Forks” would be ready for business again by the first of next week. The broken parts are easily replaced and the machinery was uninjured, the aeroplane coming to the ground right side up. The landing in fact was not unlike the usual landing from the fact that McGoey was not very high in the air when the accident happened. There was considerable of a wind blowing at Langdon yesterday and it was late in the afternoon before Aviator McGoey decided to make a flight.
The breeze was still stiff enough so that he decided that it would be unsafe to try to get into the air within the narrow confines of the fair grounds. Accordingly, the rise was made in a corn field just outside of the fair grounds. The machine went into the air as usual, but McGoey soon found that the wind was too much for him. He endeavored to guide the plane up into the air as gradually as possible and was getting along nicely when a side gush of wind caught him and veered the aeroplane over toward a barn near the line of flight. In spite of all the aviator could do one end of the machine struck the barn breaking a number of the ribs and up-rights and bringing the machine to the ground. The accident was naturally something of a disappointment to the crowd, but this feeling was more than counterbalanced by the successful flights of the previous day. The aeroplane will be brought to the city this evening and will at once be repaired. Messrs. Kenworthy and McGoey will go next week to the aviation meet in Chicago and the following week will fill an engagement at Hibbing, Minn. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Saturday Morning, August 12, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 245, Page 10)
May Return With New Aeroplane. Thomas McGoey and F. G. Kenworthy were passengers Sunday evening to Chicago, where they will take in the international aviation meet. Messrs. Kenworthy and McGoey not only expect to see the flyers fly, but will also look over a number of aeroplanes that are for sale, and may return with a machine. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Tuesday Morning, August 15, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 247, Page 10)
New Biplane Is Purchased. Members of Local Aviation Firm Return from Big Chicago Meet. F. G. Kenworthy Tells of the Death of St. Croix Johnstone and Badger – Local Firm Has Plenty of Work Ahead of Them Even with New Machines, Which Is Finest Curtiss Type Obtainable. F. G. Kenworthy and Thomas McGoey, the local aviation firm, returned from Chicago last night on the Great Northern Oriental Limited, enthusiastic over the big international aviation meet and the purchasers of a new Curtiss biplane. The local men went to Chicago last Sunday night to see the world’s best men in the aviation game at work, and incidentally to compare notes as to the various makes of machines, and get ideas in general of the new business and sport. While among the throngs that attended the meet they saw St. Croix Johnstone and Badger fall to their deaths, saw Stone, Beachey and a dozen others narrowly escape the grim spectre by rare presence of mind or miraculous luck, saw Parmelee break the American record for height, and in fact saw everything that was there to be seen. “The death of Badger occurred right in front of us,” said Mr. Kenworthy in telling of the horrible tragedy last evening.
“He dove several hundred feet toward the earth and then elevated his machine to go up again. The terrific speed and the sudden pressure on the propeller smashed it into a thousand pieces, tore the wings off and sent Badger and his engine hurtling ahead, with the 300 pound engine on top of him, breaking his neck and driving a piece of pipe through his head. He was conscious for three-quarters of an hour but finally succumbed to the terrible injuries. In telling of St. Croix Johnstone’s death, Mr. Kenworthy stated that that accident happened rather far out on the lake and being tied into his machine was drowned before the hydroplanes or boats could reach him. His body was recovered in about an hour. Parmelee was quite a favorite with the huge crowds after his height flight Friday. Early in the week the man who flew at the North Dakota fair did little, being handicapped by a strange machine and some other difficulties. Friday, however, he said he was after the aviation record and in a second Baby Wright he made the flight which broke the former American record. Brindley, whose figures were at first given out as higher than Parmelee’s, have been found to be erroneous and Parmelee so far holds the flight record at the international meet.
Purchased Another Machine. While attending the meet, Messrs. Kenworthy and McGoey took a run down to Dayton, O., to look over an aeroplane that had been built for Parmelee by a firm there. The machine was one of the finest of the Curtiss type, made unusually trim and strong, and as a result the local aviators purchased the machine for exhibition flying. The new aeroplane will probably arrive in Grand Forks Monday by express and will be set up and tried out immediately. The older machine will in all probability be used for flights at Hibbing, Duluth and Sauk Center, and then the new one will be used for exhibition purposes. A new engine has been ordered for the new machine, an engine of the very best make, designed for speed and durability. While in Chicago the local men had plenty of opportunity to see just what was best in their line, and as a result selected an engine that made good while the others did not. Besides the dates above mentioned, the local aviation firm has several others under consideration and promise to be kept busy during the coming winter months flying through the northwest this fall and moving further south as winter approaches. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Sunday Morning, August 20, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 252, Page 10)
New Aeroplane A “Bird” Proper. Kenworthy-McGoey Biplane, Recently Purchased, the Prettiest Ever. Machine Was Designed Especially for the Local Firm by a Dayton, Ohio, Firm – Parmelee, the Wright Aviator So Stuck With Appearance He Has Ordered One for Himself – Tryout Will Be Given Wednesday. Thomas McGoey, the local aviator, assisted by Gene Erbacher, who will act in the capacity of mechanician for the Kenworthy-McGoey firm, for a time at least, yesterday practically completed the putting together of the new aeroplane, purchased by the firm, when they were at the Chicago aviation meet. The “machine bird” is pronounced by those who have seen it as the prettiest ever sent into the northwest, and it will show up well besides any yet made. The machine is 30 feet long, the planes are a foot wider than those of the Curtiss, being used by McGoey at present and for finish and balance it is practically perfect. McGoey, who has had some ideas of his own regarding aeroplanes, and by the way they have proved decidedly practical, sent the plans of the present machine to a woodworking firm at Dayton. These ideas combined with several of Parmelee’s, the Wright man who flew at the North Dakota state fair, have developed a flying engine of no mean caliber. Not a thong or string is used to fasten the ribs or planes, but instead a new patent buckle is clamped on, making the machine doubly strong and much easier to take apart than any other style of clamps.
Carries a Passenger. In addition the new aeroplane is equipped with two seats, one for the driver and one for a passenger. The control was worked with levers but McGoey will change this today to a Curtiss control, replacing the Wright style of levers with the wheel, as on the other machine owned by the firm. Parmelee tested the machine at Dayton, where it was manufactured, and was so pleased with its workings that he has ordered the firm to make him one similar. The engine is a Hall-Wright bought at the Chicago aviation meet. It can be regulated so the propellers go slowly enough to keep the machine at a standstill of send it 65 miles an hour through the air. McGoey will give the new machine its first workout some time Wednesday, and if it goes all right will fly Wednesday evening for Grand Forks enthusiasts. It is more likely that it will be Thursday, however, before a long flight can be made, as McGoey needs a day or two to get on to the plane’s eccentricities and oddities. Another aviator will be “broken in” next week with the older machine. Two local men have signed up with Kenworthy and McGoey and one of them will fly when two dates are secured at the same time and the other, who is a skilled mechanic, will probably act (as) mechanician. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Sunday Morning, August 27, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 259, Page 8).
First Flights May Be Made. New Aeroplane Will Be Tried Out Today by Aviator McGoey If Conditions Are Right. Thomas McGoey, the local aviator, may make his first flight in the new aeroplane, recently purchased at Dayton, Ohio, although it is more probable that he will not do so until tomorrow. The work of installing the engine will be started this morning and it may take some time to get the engine balanced in the aeroplane. However, Grand Forks people will see the machine in action today or tomorrow early. It is planned to take the new machine to Sauk Center, where McGoey flies Friday and Saturday, in order to guarantee the people there a sure flight. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Wednesday Morning, August 30, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 260, Page 10)
May Fly Here On Labor Day. Kenworthy-McGoey Aviation Company Plane Matinee Flight for Day. Leave This Evening for Sauk Center, Minn., to Fill Engagement and if the Train Service Makes it Possible, Return to This City Will Be Made With Intention of Giving Local People Matinee With New Machine. An added attraction for Labor day is very probable in the shape of an aeroplane matinee by the Kenworthy-McGoey aviation firm of this city. Manager Kenworthy stated that if train connections made it possible, Aviator Thomas McGoey and he will return from Sauk Center, Minn., where they go this evening to fill an engagement in time to give a matinee here, using the new machine. Owing to the unusual amount of work necessary in installing the engine in the new aeroplane, it was impossible to put the machine in the air yesterday. The final touches will be put on the new flyer today and an effort may be made to try out the machine. Everything will, however, be placed in readiness so that a matinee may be given on the afternoon of September 4, if the aviation firm members can get back to this city. Messrs. Kenworthy and McGoey leave this evening with the aeroplane (from) Grand Forks for Sauk Center, Minn., to fill a fair engagement. Manager Kenworthy stated last evening that he had received assurance from Sauk Center that ground conditions are right and if so he promises the Minnesotans some splendid flights. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Thursday Morning, August 31, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 261, Page 8).
McGoey Was Within Few Feet Of Death. Local Aviator Crashes Into Fence at Sauk Center but Escapes. Aeroplane was Badly Damaged but McGoey Only Severely Shaken Up. While Making Fourth Attempt to Get Into Air Yesterday at Stearns County Fair, Local Aviator Endeavored to Alight and Machine Struck Fence – Accident was Due to Engine Failing to Work. Aviator Thomas McGoey of this city came near meeting his death yesterday at Sauk Center, Minn., when he crashed into the fence. McGoey’s nerve in sticking to his machine was probably the only thing that saved his life. As it was, he escaped with little more than a severe shaking up. The engine secured for the new aeroplane was shipped by last evening’s express to Sauk Center on receipt of a telegram, and Manager Kenworthy expects to be in readiness late this afternoon to make another trial. The engine which refused to work yesterday has been giving considerable trouble of late and its refusal to act yesterday is not unexpected. The new engine is a 60 horse power Hall-Wright, one of the two or three best aviation engines made, and is guaranteed to deliver the goods. Aviator McGoey’s many friends in this city will be glad to learn of his escape from what at the time seemed like sure death or fatal injury.
The following is the dispatch received last evening from Sauk Center: Sauk Center, Minn., Sept. 1. – Aviator Thomas McGoey of Grand Forks came within six feet of being killed this afternoon when he made his fourth unsuccessful attempt to fly from the Stearns county fair grounds over the fence and above the grounds. His self-made biplane smashed through the big high fence of the grounds and was broken, but McGoey stuck to the machine and brought it to a stand when it was half through the fence. The machine was put out of commission. McGoey said: “The attempt was spoiled by a heavy cross southwest wind striking the biplane as it arose splendidly. The fourth and last attempt today when the machine broke the fence and was damaged was caused by the engine which ceased to strike fire three times just as we rose steadily from the ground and we were going to rise and pass over the fence. When within fifty feet she ceased fire and I decided to come down, but she was going too fast and she went through the fence.” Evidently McGoey was badly shaken up and the machine was put out of commission. “We have wired for another engine and we will fly tomorrow,” said McGoey. Several thousand people were bitterly disappointed when McGoey failed to fly. There was great applause as he arose, which had not ceased when he dashed into the fence and was almost impaled and killed. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Saturday Morning, September 2, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 263, Page 8).
McGoey Made Fine Flight. Local Aviator Made Good Yesterday at Stearns County Fair. New Engine Worked to Perfection and Aviator Was in Air 10 Minutes – Friday’s Accident Did Not Disable Machine and Aviator Was Never in Danger of Receiving Serious Injury. Aviator Thomas McGoey made a splendid flight yesterday at Sauk Center, Minn., in spite of the fact that there was considerable wind. McGoey was in the air fully 10 minutes, the new engine worked to perfection and the big crowd at the Stearns county fair was more than satisfied with the exhibition. The new Hall-Scott engine was shipped on Friday evening and reached Sauk Center at 4:30 o’clock yesterday morning. Aviator McGoey at once went to work and the aeroplane was soon ready, the damage having been repaired in the meantime. The flight yesterday was made at 4 o’clock in the afternoon. The ascent was a perfect one, and the aviator described wide circles in the air, doing the dip and other “stunts” that brought forth hearty applause from the crowd. The matinee flight tomorrow is practically assured. Messrs. Kenworthy and McGoey left Sauk Center early this morning, and expect to catch No. 9, returning to Grand Forks today. In any case it is probable that the new engine will at once be changed back to the new aeroplane and the flight tomorrow will be made in the new machine which is said to be as fine as any in the country in the matter of construction. In speaking of Friday’s accident, McGoey stated last evening that the reports sent out greatly exaggerated what actually did happen. The fence he ran into was the fence inside the track and the only damage to the machine was the breaking of a few of the timbers in the front elevator. McGoey said that the damage to the machine was very slight and he was at no time in any danger of being injured. The new engine worked to perfection yesterday and McGoey promises a fine flight tomorrow. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Sunday Morning, September 3, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 264, Page 6)
May Make Flight This Morning. New Kenworthy-McGoey Machine Will Probably Be Given a Tryout Today. If conditions are right, it is very probable that the new aeroplane of the Kenworthy-McGoey company will be given a tryout at an early hour this morning. Aviator McGoey has found that the early morning generally gives the best opportunity for flying under the most favorable conditions. The wind of yesterday, which did not go down until after sundown, prevented flying. The engine has been installed in the new aeroplane and everything is in readiness for the trial flight. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Wednesday Morning, September 6, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 266, Page 8).
Was Too Windy – Owing to the brisk wind that was blowing yesterday morning, Aviator Thomas McGoey did not make the expected trial of the new aeroplane. As a result of yesterday’s rain, no effort will be made to try out the new machine for several days. The next engagement of the Kenworthy-McGoey company is for the latter part of next week at Little Falls, Minn. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Thursday Morning, September 7, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 267, Page 6)
Accident To New Machine. Aviator McGoey Crashed to Earth Yesterday While Trying New Biplane. Engine Missed and Aviator Was Compelled to Come Down Fifty Feet – Gust of Wind Tilted Biplane and Considerable Damage Resulted – Aviator Was Not Injured by the Fall. Thomas McGoey, in his new Curtiss bi-plane, crashed into the earth yesterday morning about 11:30, when his engine missed while he was 50 feet in the air, and he glided to the ground, only to be tilted by a sudden gust of wind and to land on one side of the machine. McGoey was making one of his first flights in the new machine, which worked to perfection until the time of the accident. After running the bi-plane back and forth in the fair grounds he arose and circled over the Lilac Hedge farm and was headed westward when the engine started to miss. This happened about three-quarters of a mile from his starting point and in order to play safe from any possibility of an accident, he started to glide to the earth. When about ten feet up a sudden gust of wind tilted the planes and one of them struck the earth before the wheels, throwing the machine down rather hard, breaking the propeller and several of the ribs, besides tearing the canvas to some extent. The damage will practically all be repaired by this evening and the new propeller will be ready by tomorrow, so McGoey will still have several days to work the new aeroplane before he flies at Little Falls next week. In the fall yesterday, McGoey was not injured, though shaken up a little. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Friday Morning, September 8, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 268, Page 10)
Attraction Is Badly Wanted In Crookston. Kenworthy-McGoey Firm Served with a Writ of Attachment Yesterday. Local Aviation Firm and Aeroplane Were Halted at Crookston Yesterday. Polk County Fair Management Use Legal Methods to Prevent Local Firm From Going to Little Falls, Minn., to Fill Engagement – Claimed That Action Was Taken Not to Disappoint the People. When Messrs. F. G. Kenworthy and Thomas McGoey, the local aviation firm reached Crookston yesterday at noon en route to Little Falls, Minn., where they are billed to fly Thursday and Friday, there were served with a writ of attachment on the ground that the aeroplane is billed for Crookston. The management of the Polk county fair propose to hold the machine and force the local concern to fulfill a contract which Manager Kenworthy declares was avoided some time ago by Webster, the booking agent. In this connection, it is an interesting fact that the Crookston fair management have been advertising a Wright aeroplane and a claim is made that Webster failed to secure the Wright machine and he and Secretary Hitchcock decided to stop Kenworthy and McGoey and attempt to force them to fly in order that the people might not be disappointed.
Manager Kenworthy stated last night that he had not decided what to do. To stay and fill and engagement at Crookston would mean that the company would be liable to the Little Falls fair management. On the other hand there is the difficulty to getting out of the clutches of the Crookston people. Both Messrs. Kenworthy and McGoey were in Grand Forks last evening. The action of the Crookston fair management was entirely unexpected and is taken by many as simply an effort to shift the responsibility for failure to secure a flying machine. According to Manager Kenworthy’s statement last evening, he had originally intended to fly at Crookston and a contract was signed. This contract according to Mr. Kenworthy, was later declared off by Mr. Webster in the presence of witnesses. Altogether the muddle is one that promises some interesting complications before it is finally straightened out. The following from the Crookston Times explained what happened in that city yesterday: The Kenworthy-McGoey Flying Machine contracted for by the Fair Association, here arrived at noon today over the N. P. It was billed through to Little Falls for flights Thursday and Friday of this week, but stopped off here through the kindness of Deputy Sheriff Burkhardt, who served a writ of attachment upon the conductor of the N. P. train, Agent Handy, and the Northern Pacific baggageman on the train, had the airship unloaded, with all equipments and attachments, ready for the flights here Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, two flights each day as scheduled.
The fair management discovered today that the machine, Aviator McGoey, and his partner, F. G. Kenworthy, were going through at noon on the N. P. An auto was chartered and from 11:30 this morning to the time of the arrival of the train, Bjoin & Carlson’s automobile kicked up the dust to and from the office of Judge Gossman, Judge Watts, Clerk of Court Lanetot, Deputy Sheriff Burhhardt, and the N. P. depot and the fair grounds. News of some trouble quickly spread, and when the train arrived there was a crowd of several hundred people standing around to see whether or not there was to be a flying machine at the Crookston fair. When the train arrived the machine was unloaded and taken in charge by Deputy Sheriff Burkhardt, and Aviator McGoey and F. G. Kenworthy then alighted and shook hands with their many friends. It is with great satisfaction that the fair management landed the aeroplane for the fair, and thus avoided disappointing the thousands of people who will be here during the next three days, many coming specially to see the two flights daily. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Wednesday Morning, September 13, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 272, Page 8).
Mixup At The Crookston Fair. Effort of Birdman to Escape to Little Falls is Successful. The third annual fair of the Northwestern Agricultural society, now on in Crookston, saw some by-play which was not on the fair posters. This was when Deputy Sheriff Burkhardt met the Northern Pacific train for St. Paul from Grand Forks at 1:05 in the afternoon armed with writs of attachment which he served on Agent Handy, the conductors, the baggageman and any other Northern Pacific employee who happened around, then boarded the train and unloaded the Kenworthy-McGoey Curtiss aeroplane under a complaint sworn out by George H. Webster, booking agent for the Kenworthy-McGoey combination in which Webster alleged that he had a contract from the birdmen to fly four days during the Crookston fair, whereas, they had tickets bought for Little Falls, Minn., where the flying machine was also billed, and where they were advertised to appear on Thursday and Friday at a fair. Late yesterday the tangle was straightened out and the birdmen continued to Little Falls where they plan exhibition flights this afternoon. (The Bemidji Daily Pioneer, Thursday Evening, September 14, 1911, Volume 9, Number 118, Page 1)
Action Proves To Be Bluff. Kenworthy and McGoey Went on to Little Falls Yesterday. Proceedings Soon Showed That Crookston People Had Little Grounds on Which to Hold Machine and They Backed Up – Offer of Handsome Sum to Stay and Fly Was Turned Down by Kenworthy. The legal action started on Tuesday by the Crookston fair authorities against the Kenworthy-McGoey Aviation company went to pieces yesterday morning and Messrs. Kenworthy and McGoey with their aeroplane left on the 1 o’clock train for Little Falls, Minn., to fill their engagement there. As indicated yesterday morning the attachment proceeding instituted against the local company under the name of Geo. H. Webster was merely a bluff and when Manager Kenworthy appeared on the scene yesterday morning accompanied by his Attorney B. G. Skulason of this city, Webster and his cohorts immediately got busy and by stipulation the action was dismissed. Before this, however, the Crookston people offered Mr. Kenworthy $1,400 to stay and make the flights, but with commendable spirit he refused and went on to keep his Little Falls contract despite the fact that it means an all night’s work and $900 less money. The Crookston people, it developed, had nothing on which to hold the machine and when continuance of the action meant the holding of their bondsmen, they agreed to let the machine go rather than fight the case. It took some tall hustling to get the machine and everything in readiness to take the 1 o’clock train for Little Falls, but this was finally accomplished.
The contract calls for flights in Little Falls today and tomorrow. The following is the Crookston Times’ version of the proceedings yesterday: After 24 hours of wrangling and squabbling, Geo. H. Webster, who booked the Kenworthy-McGoey aeroplane for flights at the Crookston fair, dismissed the attachment proceedings this morning, it being shown pretty plainly that Mr. Webster had released them some time ago, and they took the noon train for Little Falls, where the machine is booked to fly Thursday and Friday. This proved a grave disappointment to the fair management but no further action could be taken. Mr. Kenworthy was offered $900 spot cash over and above what his contract with Little Falls called for, but he stood firm and said he would keep the engagement he had made even if he lost $2,000. He would have preferred to fly in Crookston, but said the contract had been canceled by Mr. Webster and that subsequently he had contracted with the Little Falls people, and could not go back on his word. While the people here deeply regret the mixup and the fair directors did all they could be (to) keep the machine here, from all information obtainable, Messrs. Kenworthy and McGoey did exactly what they thought to be right and cannot be blamed in the matter in any way. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Thursday Morning, September 14, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 273, Page 8).
McGoey Made Fine Flight. Splendid Flight Given Yesterday by Local Aviator at Little Falls. Covered Over Ten Miles in the Air Yesterday and Flew for Eleven Minutes – Everybody Concerned Was Well Pleased With Performance – Credit Due for Stand Regarding Crookston deal. Thomas McGoey, flying the older machine with the new engine, made one of the best flights in the history of aviation in Minnesota yesterday at Little Falls, Minn. McGoey was in the air over 10 minutes, and covered four immense circles, totaling a distance of about ten miles in the air. The directors and crowd was very enthusiastic over the performance and signified their intention of paying the contract price to the local firm if they do not make another flight. A high wind, blowing directly from the south throughout the afternoon, prevented McGoey from beginning his flight until the supper hour had arrived. At 6:20, however, the wind had died down and the local air-man cleared the crowd from the inclosure and swooped upward on his successful flight. The new Hall-Scott engine, known throughout the country now as the most reliable aeroplane engine, worked to perfection and without a mishap of any sort. McGoey circled and circled over the grandstand, over the crowd, out into the wheat fields, and finally back to the center of the enclosure, making a landing that did not even strain a wire on the machine. Needless to say the local firm was more than pleased, because of the many handicaps they have faced in the past few months. The old engine spoiled several contract flights, rocks and stones at Hibbing spoiled more, and the recent trouble at Crookston, when the machine was held up almost caused another hitch in their plans.
Deserve Credit. The McGoey-Kenworthy firm deserves especial credit for the stand they took in refusing to fly at Crookston. The contract had been rescinded some time ago and rather than turn down the people of Little Falls, who were depending upon the local aeroplane, the firm refused a $900 bonus from Crookston rather than break their contract. Crookston also offered to bond provided Little Falls sued the Grand Forks men for breach of contract and in fact did everything possible to get the Kenworthy-McGoey machine at the Polk County fair, but having once signed with Little Falls the firm refused to back down and though $900 poorer are nevertheless satisfied that they did the honorable thing. McGoey is scheduled for another flight today. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Friday Morning, September 15, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 274, Page 10)
More Success For McGoey. Two Splendid Flights Were Made Yesterday at Little Falls, Minn. Local Aviator Flew Twice at Little Falls Fair, and Attained Altitude of 400 Feet – Fair Management More Than Pleased With Exhibitions – Two More Flights Will Be Made Today. Aviator Thomas McGoey is having splendid success at the Little Falls, Minn., fair, two more successful flights having been yesterday. McGoey was in the air a total of 26 minutes yesterday and attained an altitude of 400 feet. His engine worked in perfect order, and he displayed wonderful control of the machine. The first flight was made at 4 o’clock in the afternoon and the aviator was up 11 minutes. The second was made during the evening and for fully 15 minutes Aviator McGoey was in the air, sweeping around in great circles, doing the dip and other aviation stunts that thrill the spectators. He landed successfully following both flights. Two more flights will be made today and Messrs. Kenworthy and McGoey expect to return to Grand Forks some time tomorrow. They will at once continue the work of repairing the new machine and getting it in shape to fill a long list of contracts. The splendid success of the old machine equipped with the new engine at Little Falls has given Manager Kenworthy unbounded confidence in the ultimate success of the venture. The fair management of Little Falls express themselves as more than pleased with the exhibitions, which are drawing large crowds of people from all the rural communities to the city. The Kenworthy-McGoey aeroplane is the talk of that section of the state, and larger crowds than ever are expected to see the flights today. The machine has been painted aluminum color and presents an unusually fine appearance. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Saturday Morning, September 16, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 275, Page 8).
Fine Flight On The Closing Day. Aviator McGoey Made His Fifth Successful Flight at Little Falls, Yesterday. The Kenworthy-McGoey aviation company of this city yesterday finished their contract with the Little Falls, Minn., fair management when Thomas McGoey made his six successful flight of the fair. There was a 25 mile wind blowing and because of this fact only one flight was made. That flight, however, was successful in every respect in spite of the brisk wind. The success of the flights by the local firm made the Little Falls fair a rousing success. The members of the local aviation firm will return this evening with the aeroplane and propose to give the people of Grand Forks a matinee probably on Thursday of this week. Next week Aviator McGoey will fly at Rochester, Minn., and the following week at Duluth. Manager Kenworthy yesterday signed a contract calling for flights the first week in November down in Kansas. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Sunday Morning, September 17, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 276, Page 6)
To Give Matinee For Local People. Kenworthy and McGoey Are Planning on Matinee on Friday and Saturday. Messrs. Kenworthy and McGoey returned Sunday evening from Little Falls, where they filled a successful engagement with the Morrison county fair. The company is planning on putting on a matinee here either on Saturday or Sunday. The Little Falls Transcript makes the following comment on the work of Aviator McGoey at their fair: Without a doubt Morrison county people have had the pleasure Thursday and Friday of witnessing three of the best successive aeroplane flights in a city of 6,000 inhabitants which were ever given in the United States. This is a broad statement, but is verified by many who witnessed aerial flights at other points, but who state that they have never yet seen so many successive and successful flights. Kenworthy and McGoey, the Grand Forks aviators, who refused to be tempted by the gold flashed at them in Crookston, came to Little Falls under contract and have made good in every particular. The first flight Friday was given about 4 o’clock and Aviator McGoey left the field without a slip.
He gradually rose in the air and circled the field three or four times. Finally, seeing the orphan children standing near St. Gabriel’s hospital, the air man turned his machine in that direction, sailing over the heads of the little tots and giving them their first opportunity of witnessing a human being going through space on wings. The bird man’s efforts to give the orphan children pleasure were much appreciated by those in charge of the hospital and orphanage. The second flight of the day was given between 6 and 7 o’clock in order that the mill men might enjoy the sight. This flight was even better than the previous one, the machine going higher and staying in the air longer. Messrs. Kenworthy and McGoey, unlike most professional people putting on attractions, are very accommodating and have timed their flights to suit the largest number of people. They have worked with the local committee at every point and do their utmost to please. In this they have succeeded beyond all expectations. Little Falls will remember them with pleasure. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Tuesday Morning, September 19, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 277, Page 10)
Six Flights By Aviator. Thomas McGoey Did His Best Work of Season Yesterday Afternoon. Engine Worked in Perfect Order and Local Aviator Was in the Air Six Times in Preparation for Matinee to Be Given Tomorrow and Sunday – Work Yesterday Was as Good as Ever Seen Here. Six flights, one of them an interstate trip, were made yesterday by Aviator Thomas McGoey, in giving his Hall-Scott aviation engine a thorough test. Since returning from Little Falls, where the local aviation firm made an excellent record, McGoey has fixed his aeroplane in every conceivable way, going over every part to see that it was in order and making new parts and inserting them when needed. Having completed this work yesterday morning the task of giving the engine an overhauling was completed and then $6,000 worth of good aviation was given to a very small but decidedly enthusiastic crowd of admirers. In the morning McGoey arose about 10 o’clock, circled around for about five minutes and then alighted to fix the spark plugs and see that everything was in order. Then he made two more five-minute flights, averaging about four miles each time he was in the air. In the afternoon, however, he eclipsed anything he has ever done on the local aviation field. His first flight was of seven minutes duration and he swooped over the fair grounds, dove around the coulee, skimmed the Lilac Hedge farm buildings and then came down just to see if everything was right.
Up 1,000 Feet. The second flight was one of the prettiest ever staged in North Dakota, and that is saying considerable, for North Dakota has entertained some top notch aviators in Parmelee and Hoxsey. McGoey, with a stiff breeze from the southwest went up with the wind in his back. The engine was working perfectly, never missing a stroke ad with the propeller turning 1,300 times a minute he arose and started over towards Riverside park. Up and up he went to a height of 200 feet, the climbing being difficult because the wind was in his back. Coming back, however, the stiff gale lifted him higher and higher and on his third turn he easily attained an altitude of 1,000 feet, the highest he has gone flying on his home grounds. Although this does not sound high, to those who read of 7,000 and 10,000 foot achievements, nevertheless a machine shows to its best advantage at a height of 1,000 feet. The new aluminum varnish, and the new motor glistened in the sun, high in the air, and when the wind swept McGoey northeastward he attained a speed of almost 80 miles an hour and the aeroplane resembled a silver hawk streaking across the sky. After completing three circles McGoey did the spiral glide at the north end of the fair grounds, coming towards the earth at a terrific rate of speed which drove the wind shrieking past him and held him firmly in the seat. The spiral glide is a beautiful feat to watch if a person is not of a nervous temperament and McGoey did it in its prettiest fashion, making the 1,000 feet to earth in five or six eagle-like swoops.
An Interstate Flight. The day was so perfect and everything so favorable that five minutes later saw McGoey running the machine towards the end of the field, preparatory to making another flight. This proved to be the first interstate flight ever made in this vicinity. Rising again to at least a 900 foot altitude, the local bird-man shot over Riverside park, crossed the Red River of the North, made a big swoop far on the north side of St. Michael’s hospital, came back to the fair grounds and after making three more short circles, dipped in and out of several haystacks, up and down over the fair ground fences and landed prettily in midfield. Those who have followed the local man’s career in the air, pronounce yesterday’s flights easily the best he has ever made, and predict success of no small moment to him in the future. “It’s the engine that makes the difference,” said McGoey. “Flying is the greatest sport in the world when a man has the power behind him to keep him going. I am sure we can make good at all times now with this new motor.”
Allowed Beginners to Take Run. After McGoey had completed his flights, Gene Erbacher, engineer for the aviation firm, and Walter Quigley, telegraph editor of The Herald, took short runs up and down the field. It was the first time either had run an aeroplane and was the beginning of their instruction as aviators. The firm is to have a reserve flier and one of the two local men will probably fill the bill.
Matinee Saturday and Sunday. McGoey will give a matinee at the fair grounds Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 3 o’clock. With the machine in perfect order and favorable weather, a big crowd should be on hand to see the matinees. McGoey has given Grand Forks advertising from coast to coast by his aerial work and the firm has at all times maintained an excellent reputation for doing business at all times, if conditions were at all favorable. A large number of tickets have already been sold and it is expected that Grand Forks will be out en masse, especially Sunday afternoon at the first North Dakota aeroplane matinee. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Friday Morning, September 22, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 280, Page 10)
First Flights This Afternoon. Matinee Aeroplane Flight by Aviator Thomas McGoey Is Scheduled for 3 O’clock. This afternoon at 3 o’clock, Aviator Thomas McGoey is scheduled to give the first of his matinee flights and if the weather is favorable, the people of the city may expect to see some air navigation that is well worth seeing. McGoey has passed the point where a 15, 20 or even a 25 mile breeze bothers him, and only a wind like that of yesterday will prevent a flight. Enough tickets have been sold to insure a good sized crowd. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Saturday Morning, September 23, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 281, Page 8).
McGoey Made His Premier Flights. Sunday’s Exhibits Were on Par with Anything that Has Been Seen Here in Air Navigating. Messrs. Kenworthy and McGoey left last evening with their aeroplane Grand Forks for Rochester, Minn., where Aviator McGoey is scheduled to fly on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. After the exhibition given by McGoey on Sunday, which easily ranks with those of Parmelee and Hoxsey, the people of Rochester and vicinity should see some splendid flights if nothing goes wrong. McGoey’s work on Sunday was a revelation even to his friends in this city and the local birdman, attaining a height of fully 2,500 feet, made a 25 minute flight, soaring over Grand Forks and away into Minnesota, and eclipsed anything yet seen here from a spectacular standpoint. McGoey left the ground on his first flight at 3:30 o’clock in the afternoon. He circles around the fair grounds, and after giving an exhibition of handling the aeroplane, landed. The second flight was longer and the aviator was in the air fully 17 minutes and attained a height of 2,500 feet, descending in the famous spiral glide. The last and concluding flight was 24 minutes in duration and the aviator covered nearly that many miles flying over Grand Forks, the university, and circling far over on the Minnesota side of the river. Following their engagement at Rochester, Messrs. Kenworthy and McGoey expect to go to Hillsboro, and from there to West Superior, after which they will begin filling southern bookings. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Tuesday Morning, September 26, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 283, Page 8).
Three Flights At Rochester. Aviator McGoey Duplicated His Splendid Work of Last Sunday Yesterday at Rochester. That Aviator Thomas McGoey practically duplicated his Sunday exhibition here at Rochester yesterday, is indicated by information received last evening from that city. Three successful flights were made at Rochester yesterday. The first of the flights was of 15 minutes duration. Following the second ascent McGoey was in the air fully 21 minutes, attaining a height of 1,200 feet. In this flight he gave a splendid exhibition of fancy work in the way of dips and roller coasting. The third flight was a ten-minute one in which the aviator started a quarter of a mile behind the horses and lead them to the wire. McGoey’s work pleased the fair directors and the crowd. The spectators were especially pleased with an exhibition of the spiral glide. McGoey makes two more flights today and two on Friday. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Thursday Morning, September 28, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 285, Page 8).
McGoey Did Not Fly Yesterday. Continued Rain at Rochester Made It Impossible to Send Up the Aeroplane. It rained hard all yesterday afternoon at Rochester, Minn., and Aviator Thomas McGoey did not fly. The fair is drawing big crowds and as a result of the splendid exhibition given by McGoey on Wednesday, the fair officials have contracted with Manager McGoey for two more flights on Saturday. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Friday Morning, September 29, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 286, Page 8).
Motor Stops High In Air. But Aviator McGoey was Able to Coast Safely to Ground Yesterday. Local Bird Man Showed Great Coolness and When Motor Stopped, 1,500 Feet in Air, for Lack of Gasoline, He Coasted Successfully to the Ground – Three More Flights Are Scheduled for Today. Aviator Thomas McGoey made the flight of his life yesterday at Rochester, Minn., when 1,500 feet in the air his motor stopped owing to lack of gasoline. In spite of this fact he coasted to the ground successfully and made a pretty landing, not so much as a wire in the machine having been broken. He made the landing in a field outside of the enclosure and the crowd literally went wild when they saw that he had control of the machine when the motor stopped in the air. McGoey showed great coolness and made a great hit with the crowd. Three more flights are scheduled for today. Three flights were made yesterday. The second flight McGoey gained his highest altitude, going up over three thousand feet. He was in the air 33 minutes and flew out over the city of Rochester. Returning to the fair grounds he performed all of the fancy feats and was about to come down when the motor stopped. The crowd for a moment was horrified, but in an instant they saw that the aviator had control of his machine. He coasted to the ground successfully. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Saturday Morning, September 30, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 287, Page 8).
Rained Hard At Rochester. Owing to the fact that it rained hard all day yesterday afternoon at Rochester, Aviator McGoey did not fly in that city yesterday. Messrs. Kenworthy and McGoey will return this evening with their aeroplane. Hillsboro will be their next date. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Sunday Morning, October 1, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 288, Page 8).
Traill County Fair Success. Aviator Thos. McGoey Made Two Splendid Flights There Yesterday. Local Bird Man Made Two Flights in that City Yesterday, Performing All of Those Evolutions that Have Brought Aviation So Prominently Before the People of the Country. According to Grand Forks people who visited the Traill county fair at Hillsboro yesterday, the show is a decided success, and the flights given by Aviator Thomas McGoey of this city are proving a revelation to the people of that section of the state. The visitors at the fair were treated to two splendid flights yesterday, each of approximately 15 minutes’ duration. The local bird man is scheduled for two or three more flights this afternoon, and the people are looking forward to them with a great deal of anticipation. There was no a hitch in the exhibition given yesterday. The machine went up easily on both ascensions and the aviator made as pretty landings as have been seen anywhere. McGoey showed his perfect control of the giant bird and performed all of the feats which experts in navigating the air perform. He attained an unusual height for exhibition work and he spiral glide and dip were among the aerial evolutions that he went through to the delight of the crowd. The Hillsboro fair is well worth seeing. Naturally the display of vegetables and grains is unusually good. The racing program is also of a high class and the people of the city are doing all in their power to see that visitors are well entertained. A number of Grand Forks people made the trip yesterday and it is expected that quite a number will visit the Traill county capital today. There was some talk of McGoey attempting a cross-country flight from Hillsboro to this city but that plan has been given up for the time being. The next date to be filled by the local bird man is at West Superior. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Thursday Morning, October 5, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 291, Page 10)
Made Flight Before Rain. Aviator McGoey was successful yesterday afternoon at Hillsboro in making a flight before the rain came down. The flight, according to reports was as pretty a one as the local aviator has ever made and more than repaid the fair visitors. Further flights were prevented by the rain. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Friday Morning, October 6, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 292, Page 10)
McGoey Leaves For Superior. Local Aviator Will Fill Engagement in That City Beginning Tomorrow. Thomas F. McGoey, the local aviator, left last evening for West Superior, Wis., where he will give a series of exhibitions, beginning tomorrow. Manager Kenworthy of the company, has been in Superior for the past several days making the necessary preliminary arrangements for filling the bill. As a result of his experience at Rochester, Minn., McGoey has had a 15-gallon gasoline tank built and will use this in his future flights. The tank that he has been using has a capacity of five gallons, an amount sufficient to allow about 40 minutes of flying. The new tank means that McGoey can stay in the air over two hours if he so desires. Manager Kenworthy was negotiating with the Duluth management for exhibitions, but they were unable to furnish him suitable grounds and he closed the West Superior deal. As a result the feeling over the matter in Duluth and Superior has aroused considerable interest and the flights will be witnessed by great crowds. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Saturday Morning, October 7, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 293, Page 8).
Aviator Makes Two Fine Flights. McGoey Ascends 2,000 Feet Before a Great Crowd in West Superior, Wis. Duluth News-Tribune: Two perfect flights, one of them up to a height of fully 1,500 feet, and by some estimated as 2,000, were made at the Superior Driving park by Thomas McGoey, the Curtiss aviator, yesterday afternoon. A crowd of 5,000 or more saw the exhibition, which was a demonstration in the fullest sense of the possibilities of the machine under proper weather conditions. The first flight was made about 3:45. The machine was started down the race course southward past the grandstand, and after running about 300 feet on the ground, McGoey inclined the planes and it shot up into the air until he reached an altitude of 200 feet, and then he sailed over to the eastward, circling the ground several times before dipping down toward the track. It appeared that he was going to land, but when within a few feet of the ground he shot up again and sailed about for some time before finally coming down. The second flight was about 5 o’clock, and on this occasion he went up to his greatest height and also farthest away, headed toward Proctor and being gone for about 20 minutes. The flight gave the best idea of what he could do. He remained in the air 40 minutes on this flight. The notable feature of the exhibition so far as the spectators were concerned was the fact that Duluth was very largely represented. There were fully 50 Duluth autos, all loaded to the limit, in and around the grounds, and in addition every Duluth-Superior car, including a large number of specials, came over, carrying every person it was possible to squeeze into the seats, and aisles. The exhibition was under the auspices of G. V. Halliday of Superior and associates. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Tuesday Morning, October 10, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 295, Page 2)
McGoey Makes Splendid Hit. Duluth and Superior Turned Out En Masse to See Flights on Last Sunday. Aviator Thomas McGoey is making the biggest hit of his career in Duluth and Superior. So successful were McGoey’s flights that he has been engaged to fly again in Superior tomorrow and on Sunday will fly in Duluth. The Duluth and Superior newspapers have given McGoey great credit. Manager William K. Sparks of the “When Knighthood was in Flower” company was in Duluth on Sunday and found it necessary to cancel their Sunday afternoon performance. Everybody in Duluth as well as Superior was out to see Tom McGoey and his aeroplane. Mr. Sparks said the flights were the finest he had ever seen without questions. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Wednesday Morning, October 11, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 296, Page 10)
McGoey May Take Up Passenger. If Weather Is Right Next Sunday McGoey Will Give Fine Exhibition in Duluth. Duluth News-Tribune: Thomas McGoey, who made two successful biplane flights at Superior last Sunday, will make another attempt at Athletic park next Sunday, and he has offered to take any volunteer with him, who should accompany him. The flight will be made between 2 and 5 o’clock. In addition there will be a football game between the Adams and Jefferson teams, and thousands of people are expected to be present and witness the events. This is the first attempt to make an aviation flight in Duluth. Mr. McGoey says that he will take a passenger, either male or female, if conditions are right. “Understand me, though,” said Mr. McGoey. “Conditions must be just right for me to take a passenger. I am not going to risk my own neck and the passenger’s by any such attempt, if there is anything but perfect weather conditions. The park is small enough in the first place, and in my light machine it is not place for a passenger.”
McGoey is the man who made two most successful flights in Superior last Sunday. Thousands of Duluth people journeyed across the bay to see him, and the flights were probably witnessed by 10,000 people. Everyone who saw the flights returned most enthusiastic regarding them. Mr. McGoey has promised to make two flights if everything is favorable, and possibly more. He will also give an exhibition of steering the machine along the ground, and perform several other stunts that will show the crowd how an aeroplane works. The machine is now in Superior and will be brought here Friday or Saturday. “We’ll stay here until we fly,” said F. G. Kenworthy, Mr. McGoey’s manager and partner. “We’ll do it Sunday if it isn’t blowing a hurricane, and if it is, we’ll give rain checks, good for the next day. There isn’t a better aviator in America today than Tom, and if you don’t believe it, ask any person who saw him fly at Superior. He can fly when 90 per cent of them wouldn’t leave the ground. This flight means more to us than it does to any of the spectators, as we have our reputation at stake.” (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Thursday Morning, October 12, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 297, Page 10)
McGoey Flew In Spite Of Wind. Local Aviator Made Another Very Successful Flight Yesterday at Superior. In the face of a brisk wind, Tom McGoey yesterday made a successful 15 minute flight at Superior, Wis. The wind was blowing quite a gale at the time and the local aviator felt that a flight would entail considerable danger. He refused to disappoint the enormous crowds that turned out and made one of the most remarkable flights in his career. He was in the air 15 minutes and attained a height of over a thousand feet. The crowd literally went wild over the success of the exhibition. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Friday Morning, October 13, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 298, Page 10)
Birdman Flies In Gale’s Face. Duluth News-Tribune Characterizes McGoey’s Flight Thursday as Nothing Short of Wonderful. Duluth News-Tribune: A small crowd of enthusiasts, not numbering over 300 people, mostly children at the most, were treated to a demonstration of daring and scientific manipulation of a flying machine at the Driving park yesterday afternoon when Thomas McGoey made a 15-minute flight in the face of a 30-mile-an-hour gale. The exhibition had been specially arranged for the benefit of the school children. The weather, up to the noon hour, had been ideal, but at that time it suddenly turned and from then on the skies became overcast and the wind increased in velocity. The youngsters had gathered at the park in large numbers, and had their hearts set on witnessing a flight by the man who had convinced Superior people of his skill and intrepidity last Sunday by two magnificent flights. As the afternoon was drawing to a close, and the weather conditions were steadily growing worse, McGoey brought out his aeroplane on the race track, intending merely to demonstrate its workings, for the benefit of the children. Their disappointment was such when this was announced that he finally decided that he would go contrary to all the traditions of aviation and make a flight. Mr. Kenworthy, his manager, immediately set his foot down on this decision and declared that he would not allow his brilliant birdman to take his life in his hands by going into the air under such conditions as prevailed.
Eugene Erbecker, the expert mechanician and the other attaches of Mr. Kenworthy’s staff joined in their appeal to McGoey not to think of attempting such a risky undertaking. But McGoey was steadfast. He said that he wished to keep his word with the youngsters and also to demonstrate to his own satisfaction and to the people of the whole country that he could make a flight under conditions that no other aviator in the United States would attempt. The aeroplane was made ready and McGoey took his place. The great bird skidded down the track with great speed and McGoey made a perfect rise into the air. Here his trouble began. He was no more off the ground than the 30-mile gale began to have its effect upon his machine. It tossed and careened in the wind, but he kept it to its task. Up he went, seeking a favorable air current in which to make a turn. When he reached an altitude of about 1,000 feet McGoey again demonstrated that he has mastered the science of aviation in a manner that ranks him among the foremost airmen of the world. It is a standing law among aviators that a turn to the right should never be made. After soaring to a great height McGoey found that he must break this law in order to make the turn. With coolness he immediately turned his machine to the right in the face of the gale.
He soared away from the Driving park out over the city toward Hammond avenue, made another turn and returning over the Great Northern tracks again circled around the park, turning his machine both to the right and left and holding it as steady as possible in the face of the battle he was making with the elements and then made a perfect landing at the park. It was without question one of the greatest exhibitions of the possibilities of the flying machine that has ever been made. That the aviation ground was not crowded can be laid to the fact that there were few people that believed McGoey would dare to make a flight. Wilbur and Orville Wright, the deans of the flying game; Atwood, who until yesterday held the long distance flying record, and Rodgers, who now holds it, will not go into the air when a wind of more than 20 miles an hour is blowing, it is asserted, so McGoey’s work in yesterday afternoon’s flight can be put down as a marvelous performance. McGoey undoubtedly broke a speed record. In the face of the wind that was blowing it was necessary for the aviator to maintain a terrific rate of speed throughout his flight in order that his aeroplane would not be overcome by the careening that it was undergoing. It is estimated that he drove his aeroplane at a rate of 60 miles an hour for the 15 minutes that he was in the air. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Saturday Morning, October 14, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 299, Page 7)
Thousands Are Thrilled. Fifteen Thousand People Saw Tom McGoey Fly Sunday at Duluth. Local Aviator Gave Duluthians Their First Sight of Aerial Stunts – Work was Somewhat Dangerous on Sunday Owing to Air Currents – Aviator was Nearly 800 Feet in Air During Flight – Calumet Next. Duluth News-Tribune: In the upturned gaze of nearly 15,000 people yesterday at Athletic park, Aviator Thomas McGoey, dipped, double-dipped and glided in most complete control of the first aeroplane ever seen by Duluthians. It was a marvel to the wondering thousands just as the balloon, bicycle and automobile have been in days of yesterday.
Not a Good Flying Day. For flying the day as not of the best sort. It was misty and the dark clouds hung low about the hills. As the aviator described it after the flight – first one cloud let loose a puff that tilted him and then another would break loose with a gust that made his aerial trip perilous. This trouble is known and visible only to the birdman for the spectators viewed none of the discomforts. They simply saw and reveled in the perfect control the aviator displayed in the handling of his machine.
Short Time to Prepare. After the spectators had recovered from the startle caused by the powerful motor, the aviator spent little time in preparation. While five or six of his assistants tugged to hold the aerial leviathan to the ground, he gave orders – “let her go.” For about 100 feet the plane glided over the ground and then slowly took to the air. For about four or five blocks the machine and its passenger navigated close to the earth along the route of the D. M. & N. Rising slowly the plane seemed to reach a strata where the aviator was able to use his altitude planes to good advantage and he was soon out of sight in the haze to the west.
Was 800 Feet High. When he again appeared in sight he had turned over St. Louis bay and was flying about 800 feet high. As he approached the masses beneath him he slowed down his machine some so the crowd could view more closely the operations of the aeroplane. The buzz of the motor was plainly audible. When directly over the sea of upturned faces McGoey snapped a camera on the throng. It is doubtful if he secured much of a picture as the day was unfavorable. As he swung over the grandstand he was greeted with a round of lusty cheers. These he answered with a wave of his hand. Skirting in a wide circle over the ore docks McGoey returned to the ball park, making a wide circular swing. Then shooting off toward the hills again he descended as he traveled and when he had righted his plane, facing toward his starting point, he glided at a rapid rate to the ground, descending within four feet of the location from when he started. This is seldom accomplished in licensed meets where special events for alighting are held. Hardly had the machine come to earth when hundreds of people closed in upon it, wildly cheering the successful aviator. McGoey was barely able to alight from his plane so packed was the crowd about the machine. An entire squad of men fought back the interested throng to save the valuable flying apparatus. McGoey had planned a second flight but could not get the people back sufficiently to permit another trip in the air. The aviator and his manager leave today for Calumet, Mich. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Tuesday Morning, October 17, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 301, Page 6)
Aeroplane Is Wrecked. Tom McGoey was Uninjured but Biplane Wrecked When Engine Went Dead. Remarkable Series of Successful Flights That Have Been Made by Local Aviator Was Abruptly Broken Into at Calumet, Mich., When After Flying a Mile Engine Went Dead and Bi-Plane Fell. After flying a mile in his Sunday arrangement at Calumet, Aviator Tom McGoey of this city dropped into a field when his engine stopped dead. The machine was wrecked but McGoey was not injured. The fact that the engine stopped dead without warning prevented McGoey from making anything like a favorable landing with the result that the aeroplane was badly wrecked. The work of repairing the machine, however, is progressing rapidly and it will be ready again for flight in the course of a few days. McGoey has been making some remarkably successful flights of late and the Hall-Scott 60 horse-power, has been working splendidly. Its failure to work at Calumet, was entirely unexpected and therefore caught McGoey somewhat off his guard. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Tuesday Morning, October 24, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 307, Page 8).
Machine Being Repaired. Manager F. G. Kenworthy and Aviator Thomas McGoey are back from their trip to Calumet, Superior and Duluth and report splendid success. Mr. McGoey stated yesterday that in the accident at Calumet, the machine suffered only a broken plane and that this has been repaired. The firm proposes to given another matinee in Grand Forks before leaving for the south to fill a steady run of engagements during the winter months. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Thursday Morning, October 26, 1911, Volume XXX, Number 309, Page 7)
Tom McGoey, Pioneer Aviator of Northwest. Local Man Made First Plane In 1911; Introduced Flying in Lindbergh’s Town. First Desire To Fly Came To Him While Working On Tower In Alabama; He Gave Exhibition Flights Throughout Northwest; Last Flight Was At Calumet, Mich. “Thos. McGoey made a remarkably successfully flight at Little Falls, Minn., Thursday evening. Flying his own machine, McGoey covered ten miles, making four great circles about the fair grounds. He was in the air ten minutes. The crowds and the fair management were very enthusiastic over the performance. “A high wind prevented any attempt to fly until after 6 o’clock. With the new engine working perfectly, the ascent was made gracefully. After circling around the grounds several times, a landing was made with the same ease as the ascent. McGoey is scheduled for another flight today.” Thus was aviation introduced to Colonel Lindbergh’s home town. The quotation is from a newspaper clipping published in August, 1911. The flier referred to is Tom McGoey, then and now a resident of Grand Forks and holder of the title of “North Dakota’s Pioneer Aviator.”
A “clever” reporter might easily add color to this story by telling how Lindbergh witnessed the flight and from it received the inspiration that carried him to his present position of world leadership. But the young hero-to-be carelessly failed to be in Little Falls that day. He saw his first plane the next year, 1912, and that was in Washington. He stated this Friday night when he was reached in Fargo by telephone. Lindbergh was not reached personally, but the question and reply were relayed through D. E. Keyhoe, his aid. However, to keep the story from fading out, it might be said truthfully that “Tom McGoey flew an airplane before Lindbergh ever saw one, and he did it in Lindbergh’s own home town.” The Grand Forks man was the first to make successful flights in Duluth, in Superior and in several other towns of Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Michigan, his early associates point out, although admitting that Lindbergh, too, is a pretty good flier.
First Desire to Fly. It was in his shop on North Third street that McGoey, now a successful electrical contractor, was reached and asked to verify the records of his interesting though short-lived career as a flier. He was in Marvel, Ala., he said, when he first became interested in aviation. That was in 1908 when Orville Wright, on September 9, made his flights at Fort Myer, Va. The idea of owning “one of those things some time” occurred to him then, but as he was at the time employed on a 90-foot tower, he refrained from immediately putting his flying ambitions into practice. Returning to his home in Grand Forks, McGoey lost little time in gathering information and starting work on his first plane. He attended the first aerial meet in Chicago, and saw Hoxsey when he made his western tour in 1910, but it was not until he made and flew his own machine that he first felt the power of wings at his command.
Beginning in the fall of 1910, McGoey, financed by F. G. Kenworthy of Grand Forks, began making a plane. He patterned it after the Farhnum type of biplane. He finished his labors in the spring of 1911 but found that his load was too great for his power and that he could do little more than taxi over the ground. By this time the flying bug had bitten deep. So sure was the embryo aviator that he was going to fly that he already booked for an exhibition flight at Park River. So an order was rushed to St. Louis for a Curtiss plane and the machine was shipped directly to the exhibition city.
Assembled Plane. A flier named Hilary Beechey accompanied the plane to Park River and crashed it in making a test flight before turning it over to the new owner. McGoey shipped the pieces to Grand Forks, put them together and stuck on a new propeller that had been hurriedly made by Turners’ Sash and Door factory. The accident at Park River had occurred July 4, 1911. On July 12 McGoey made his first flight. “It was as though I was taking one great, long swing,” was the way that initial flight was described. He flew out over the Bacon farm. Presumably he landed without mishap, for he flew daily from then until the opening of the Grand Forks fair. On the opening day of the fair McGoey took off from the center field of the race track. The engine roared, spectators gasped and horses shied as the flying machine taxied across the field, left the ground and pointed skyward, Tom McGoey sitting out in front of his cumbersome craft and his unshielded face cutting the wind from the west.
Crashed on Barn. In leaving the field the flier, fearing that he might strike some nearby spectators, climbed too fast and his machine stalled. He crashed on one of the horse barns at the western end of the track. While the plane was being repaired the Grand Forks man made a flight with Parmelee, who was making exhibition flights with a Wright machine. This was his first experience in other than his own machine and with himself at the controls. By the last day of the fair the plane was repaired and ready for another trial. The ship took off without trouble and flight was made over the grounds and slightly to the south. But while over the cemetery, the small four-cylinder motor became heated and necessitated a hurried landing. The tombstones were avoided and the plane came down in a corn field to the east.
Bigger Engine. Another hurried order was placed. This time to San Francisco for an eight-cylinder, 80-horse power, V-shaped Hall-Scott motor. This engine was installed in Little Falls the night before the flight previously referred to. Flights then followed each other in rapid succession. One of them was made for the entertainment of children in the Orphans’ Home at Little Falls. Others were made at Thief River Falls, Sauk Center, Hillsboro and Langdon, the machine again crashing at the latter place. But accidents then were the accepted thing so the machine was fixed and an engagement kept at Rochester, Minn.
Learned New Truths. It was at Rochester, Mr. McGoey said, that he first raced against a horse. It was also at this place that he first realized with no little satisfaction, that he could land safely after his engine stopped. He was more than 3,000 feet in the air, he said, when he ran out of gasoline. The nose or face of the box-like craft dipped downward, instinctively the aviator shifted his controls to counteract the dip, and with wind roaring and straining against the resisting parts, the big ship glided to a safe landing. Only about half a mile of ground was covered during the drop of more than 3,000 feet. Planes at that time were crude affairs. The propeller was at the rear and shoved the wings into the wind. The aviator sat out in front as on the pilot of a locomotive, shifting his wing controls by attachments on his shoulders, and taking the full brunt of the wind in his face. To open one’s mouth was to risk having a jaw flipped off.
No Landing Fields. Landing fields were not to be thought of and one engagement at Hibbing had to be cancelled because there was not one clear space large enough for a landing. Crowds, too, offered problems, as early aviators as well as Lindbergh now well know. It was a case of being mobbed if you did and mobbed if you didn’t. This was brought out at Duluth and Superior. An aviator had previously disappointed the crowds and there were angry threats when McGoey was delayed because of unfavorable weather. When he finished his successful flights he was swept up on the shoulders of a thrill-mad mob and carried through the throng of 6,000 spectators. According to the Superior Telegram, “It was Superiors first opportunity to see a birdman in actual flight and the first time the majority of the spectators had witnessed aviating in any city or place. Consequently gaping mouths and cheers were a feature of the afternoon. When high in the air McGoey would wave his hand and as the multitude caught the signal from the scarcely discernible hand, cheers would answer.”
His Last Flight. The next, and what proved to be the last flight ever made by the Grand Forks man, was made a short time later at Calumet, Mich. He was high in the air when his engine went cold, necessitating a landing between some stumps that were so close that the plane was smashed. McGoey was not hurt. In fact, he said, there was only once when he was injured at all through flying and that was late in August while trying out a new Wright plane. The machine crashed on the bank of the English coulee near the fair grounds and the aviator was stunned for a short time. I gave up flying, Mr. McGoey said, because of the objections of my family and of the now Mrs. Tom McGoey. I could see a future in the electrical business and I could not see any immediate future for practical aviation. All of the progress that is being made is of interest to me but I have never regretted quitting. (Grand Forks Herald, Sunday, August 28, 1927, Volume XLVI, Number 254, Page 11)
Grand Forks’ First Airman Flies After Being Grounded 20 Years. Roaring through the sky above Grand Forks Monday behind 1,200 airplane horsepower in the giant tri-motored Stanolind III, Tom McGoey, early day pilot of this city, received his biggest thrill in 20 years. Two decades ago, in the summer of 1911, McGoey was the city’s foremost aviator, flying a home made plane of the Curtiss biplane type of that day. That year he quit flying at the request of Mrs. McGoey. “It’s like riding in a Pullman and if I had nothing else to do, I’d like to fly a ship again myself – just for the sport of it,” Mr. McGoey said after a ride over the city with city officials and others in the big plane. There’s a world of difference, McGoey said, between the old ‘crate’ I used to “balance with a swivel seat in front of a hot motor.” He pointed out that in 1911, the plane operator flew by instinct rocking himself from side to side to keep the plane on an even keel. The Stanolind was in Grand Forks over Sunday and left at 1 P. M. for Chicago. (Grand Forks Herald, Tuesday, June 9, 1931, Volume 50, Number 188, Page 8).
Pioneer Aviator Completes Half-Century in Grand Forks. Tom McGoey Leads Peaceful Life Now. Electrician Piloted Early ‘Flying Crate.’ Tom McGoey, a famous “bird man” of a quarter century ago and an electrician since, recalled last week that he arrived in Grand Forks on St. Patrick’s day just 50 years ago next Wednesday. With little Tom when he disembarked from a train here on March 17, 1887 were his parents, five sisters and three brothers. Telephone line and switchboard work, operating a bowling alley, building smokestacks, flying when fliers truly were “heroes of the air” but principally electrical work have made McGoey’s life a busy one since his school days here.
Flights Were Perilous. For three months, back in 1911, McGoey flew exhibitions from North Dakota to the state of Michigan, attracting huge crowds everywhere and gaining a far-flung reputation as a daring aviator. Many times, it took “body English and a prayer” to keep his ancient flying crate in the air, McGoey said, recalling his battles with gusty winds, dust and rain. McGoey built the machine in which he made his first flight at the Grand Forks state fair grounds on July 12, 1911. It was a Curtiss type machine, with an 8-cylinder Hall-Scott motor.
Makes Initial Trip. The initial flight, a 15-minute exhibition jaunt around the vicinity of the Bacon farm northwest of Grand Forks was successful and proved the forerunner of many exciting experiences in the air for the Grand Forks flier. With F. G. Kenworthy as his exhibition manager and Eugene Erbecker and Al Forsyth (Forseth) as mechanics, McGoey flew before thrilled crowds at Thief River Falls, Little Falls, Sauk Center, Hillsboro, Langdon, Hibbing, Rochester, Superior and Duluth, Minn. The Grand Forks “bird man” during these flights sat in an ordinary chair seat at the front of his plane. The seat had a swivel arrangement in which McGoey swung to right or left, forward or backward to aid in balancing the precarious craft.
Shows Plane Control. The plane was controlled by a small steering wheel which the flier gripped firmly with both hands as he sat in his chair seat. A push forward inclined the nose downward and a pull elevated the ship. A cable that fitted in a groove around the wheel controlled the rudder which steered the plane, a turn in either direction steering the machine as the pilot desired. The engines of that day were considered very valuable – custom-built and hard to replace – and it was a standing joke among pilots that the engine was placed behind the flier so that in case of a crash the blow was softened by the aviator’s body, thus saving the engine from damage.
15,000 See Flight. At Superior, Wis., on October 8, 1911, a throng of 5,000 at the driving park saw McGoey make two flights, one up to 1,500 feet altitude in which he remained in the air the then amazing time of 40 minutes. Fifteen thousand persons saw him at Duluth and on another day in that city he battled 30-mile wind in weather considered well-nigh impossible for flying. At the state fair here in 1911, McGoey flew on the same program with Roy Parmelee, a famous aviator of that day, and on another occasion at the fair grounds that summer, the local flier had a narrow escape when he crashed into a barn near the fair grounds but escaped injury. McGoey quit flying following a flight at Calumet, Mich. in the fall of 1911, in which he had a close brush with disaster. Several women fainted, according to press reports of that day, when McGoey’s plane crashed to the earth, smashing the ship, but the flier escaped with minor bruises and a shaking up. Except for the smashups at Calumet and the one at Grand Forks, however, McGoey’s flights had been almost entirely successful and he was widely publicized for his daring flights everywhere he traveled. McGoey has lived a comparatively quiet life since his flying days ended but he still says he’d like to handle one of the new planes. As McGoey pointed out, “it’s all in the way you set a ship down” and the new ones are much easier to make three-point landings with than the old ones and “a thousand per cent safer,” he said. McGoey pioneered in other things besides aviation, notably in telephone work. He built and installed the first telephone exchanges at Inkster, Langdon and Walhalla. In 1914 he started his own electrical business in a building on the present site of the Valley Motor Co. He was there 17 years, and moved to his present location on North Fourth street in 1934. (Grand Forks Herald, Sunday Morning, March 14, 1937, Volume 56, Number 115, Page 10)