JONES, William Fife
Source: CXrawfordsville Daily Journal July 18, 1919
One of the most largely attended funerals in the history of the county was that of Capt . William Fife Jones which was held from the Methodist Church yesterday afternoon. It was a most remarkable testimonial to the sterling merits and popularity of the soldier who met his death as the result of an aeroplane accident at Dayton on Monday.
Although a member of the Christian Church the funeral services were held in the Methodist Church on account of greater seating capacity but that edifice was not capable of holding those who wished to witness the last rites and there wer emore in the church yard, it being estimated that the attendance was in excess of 1500. The services were most impressive which were opened by prayer by Rev. Moore while the sermon was delivered by Rev Kelly of Terre Haute. The Masons of which Cap. Jones was a 32nd degree member took chjarge of the remainder of the services and beautiful ritual was deliveredina most impressive manner by Judge Jere West of Crawfordsville.
Two aeroplanes one from Dayton Ohio and the other from Rantoul, Ill circled above the church during the services and dropped flowers and later at the cemetery the machines circled above the grave and dropped bouquetrs. Both machines were operated by members of the aeroplane division of the US Army and it was their method of paying tribute to a depart brother in arms.
The pall bearers were Major (Dr) Wray, Major Shoreder of Dayton; Lt. Ericcson of Rantoul; Sgt Glen Harriman and PVt Wright Mason. Several of his nieces and nephews were the flower bearers and the following songs were rendered by the Meharry quartet: Abide WIth Me; Lead Kindly Light and Beautiful Isle of SOmewhere.
The floral tributes were exceedingly beuatiful and numberous. Members of the aviation school at Rantoul sent a massive floral propeller blade and there were other large piees from the masons from the Wasson Store, Indianapolis; the Ladies' aid from the aviation school at Dayton, Ohio and from many other associations and person friends.
William Fife Jones, sixth son and youngest child of William T. and Mary Jane Jones was born April 20, 1892, in Davy County near Mocksville, NC and met with a fatal accident on McCook FIeld; Dayton, Ohio, Monday July 14, 1919 age 27 years 2 months and 24 days. With his father's family he came to New Richmond before he was hardly two years of age and has since made this vicinity his home, attending common school here and getting his first motor experience in the local garage.
August 31, 1916 more than 7 months before the US entered the way he enlisted in the US Air service. He entered the aviuator's schoolat Kansas City and was sent to flying fields at the following places, Chicago, Memphis, Tenn; Chicago the seonc time, Rantoul, Ill; Dallas, Texas and Dayton, Ohio.
He was known as a fearless yet careful aviator and expert tester of planes. His judgment was beyond question. The rapid promotioins which came to him indicate not only the confidence which the government place in his ability and skill but the splendid progress he was making in this science. He was commissioned Corporal March 16, 1917. Cmmissioined First Lt. October 3 of the same year and made Capt. Aug 20, 1918. He was in line for further promotion when the armistice was signed in November. While he seems to have doubted the power and endurance of the plane in which he rode to his death yet he would not ask some one else to take a risk that he himself would not take. This was a dangerous duty but it was a duty that he would not shirk. So with his mechanician he made the test in true soldier fashion.
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why
Theirs but to do and die
Rode and brave and true."
Those who watched the disabled plane in air said that not for a moment did he lose his head or his self-control or cease his efforts to right the falling plane. "Faithful unto death.
Five years ago last winter he united with the Christian Church of New Richmond. He joined the Masonic Order in New Richmond last year, being given the second and third degrees during his visit last October when he made exhibition flights to the enjoyment of his friends and relating party this year be took the 30
Source: Dayton Ohio Herald Mon 14 July 1919 p 1
– Capt. William F. Jones, 25, reserve military aviator of New Richmond, Ind was instantly killed and George Buzane, 30, civilian mechanic of Chicago, Ill suffered injuries from which he died soon after when an airplane which they were resting at McCook field fell into a tailspin and crashed to the ground from a height of 300’ about 11:25 o’clock Monday morning. Engine trouble which developed a few seconds after the airplane left the ground threw the plane into a stall and then into a tail-spin before it could be nosed over and flying speed regained for a forced landing according to officers who witnessed the accident. Capt. Jones was dead when his body, badly cut and mangled was removed from the wreckage and death was said to have been instantaneous. Buzane was unconscious when taken to the McCook base hospital where he died at 12:35 p.m. Capt. Jones and Mechanic Buzane were testing a two-seater fighter of the Curtiss type at the time of the accident. According to witnesses the engine in the plane was warmed-up before leaving the ground and seemed to be in first-class condition. Capt Jones was riding in the front seat and Buzane in the rear cock pit when they taxied down the field for the take off. Opening the throttle the plane gained speed and after a short run into the wind it leaped into the air. Engine trouble developed almost as soon as the plane left the ground and at 300’ the engine was “cutting-out” to such a degree that the plane wa sin a stalling position. Before this could be corrected it had dropped into the tail-spin and a second later was a mass of wreckage on the field. Officers at McCook field explained the tail spin at that position when the engine of the plane pointed down the entire plane revolves either to the right or to the left, according to the position of the rudder at the time the machine falls from its stalling position. It takes at least 400’ to get an airplane out of a tail-spin, according to fliers at the local field, who say that with plenty of altitude there is nothing dangerous about it. However, at a height of 300’ the plane crashes into the ground before it can be taken from the spin and in such cases the result is generally fatal to the pilot riding the front seat. This is explained by the officers who say the crash causes the engine to telescope the front seat, crushing the pilot between it and the rear cockpit. Capt. Wm. F. Jones was commissioned a 1st Lt. Oct 2, 1917 at Chanute Field, Rantoule, Ill. He was later sent to Love Field, Dallas, Texas where he was promoted to the rank of Capt. He came to the local field about the first of the present year and wasw connected with the testing department. He is unmarried and his father, WP Jones lives at New Richmond, Ind. George B. came to the local field Jan 15, 1919 from the Detroit district office of the Bureau of Aircraft Production. He was well known in auto circles as a vet race driver. He was married and according to local records his wife resides at 3516 Grand Blvd, Chicago. Buzane was a civilian mechanic in the engine test dept of the power plant section of McCook field under Major George Hallett. Both Capt Jones and Mr. Buzane resided at the Hotel Miami. Buzane was prominently known in the city through his connection with the various racing events held this locality during the recent years. He was entered at the Indianapolis speedway for the annual liberty sweepstake. However, because his machine turned turtle during the primaries he was unable to enter the race. Buzane recovered from this accident about three weeks ago.
Source: Munster, Indiana Times 14 July 1919 Mon p 5
Dayton, Ohio July 14 – In a 300’ fall at McCook’s Field today when their Curtis plane went into a tail spin, Capt. Wm. F Jones 25 New Richmond, Ind was killed and Charles Buzane, Chicago, mechanic, suffered injuries that may prove fatal. The men were testing the plane. They had been there about two months.
Source: Cincinnati Ohio Enquirer Tue 15 July 1919 p 1
Dayton, Ohio July 14 – Capt. William F. Jones, a licensed pilot was killed today and his mechanician, George D. Buzane, an automobile racer of national fame, was injured so seriously he died at the McCord Field Hospital less than an hour after a new type of airplane they were testing fell 300’. Engine trouble had developed a few seconds after the aviators left the ground. Capt. Jones was riding in the front seat of the plane and the mechanic in the rear cockpit. The engine was cutting out to such a degree that the plane was in a “stalling” position but before this could be corrected it had dropped into a tailspin officers at the field explained. In another instant the plane crashed to earth. Doubt had been expressed as to the stability of the machine, Capt. Jones having remarked to a spectator that he might need a parachute. He had no opportunity to use it. When spectators reached the aviators Capt. Jones was dying and Buzane haad been injured fatality. Botth were crushed and mangled by the fall. Jones d since Jan. The former was unmarr and came to Dayton from New Richmond, Ind. Buzane who was married resided in Chicago. He was entered in the Memorial Day races at Indianapolis but on account of a broken leg was unable to race.
Source: Crawfordsville Review 15 July 1919 p 1
New Richmond, Ind July 14 – W.T. Jones tonight is on his way to Dayton, Ohio to bring back the remains of Capt. William S. Jones, his son who was killed at the Wright field today in an airplane accident. The family received word this afternoon of the accident. Capt. Jones was 24 years old and had lived here for a number of years, coming with his family from North Carolina where he was born. He enlisted in Indianapolis March 16, 1917 in the Aviation Service and was commissioned Oct 25, 1917. He had been a captain for about a year and had been stationed at the Wright Aviation Field for several months. During the war he did not get overseas but was used as an instructor in aviation in America. In addition to his parents, he leaves two sisters and five brothers, one of whom was recently discharged from the service.
Son of William T. and Mary J. Smith Jones; moved to Montgomery County, Ind., 1894. Machinist. Enlisted in Aviation Service August 31, 1916, Indianapolis, Ind. Sent to Rantoul, Ill., for training. Acted as Test Pilot, Wilbur Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio. Commissioned First Lieutenant, October 3, 1917; promoted to Captain, 1919. Sent to McCook Field, Dayton, Ohio, where he was killed in aeroplane accident.
Source: Dayton Ohio Herald Mon 14 July 1919 p 1
– Capt. William F. Jones, 25, reserve military aviator of New Richmond, Ind was instantly killed and George Buzane, 30, civilian mechanic of Chicago, Ill suffered injuries from which he died soon after when an airplane which they were resting at McCook field fell into a tailspin and crashed to the ground from a height of 300’ about 11:25 o’clock Monday morning. Engine trouble which developed a few seconds after the airplane left the ground threw the plane into a stall and then into a tail-spin before it could be nosed over and flying speed regained for a forced landing according to officers who witnessed the accident. Capt. Jones was dead when his body, badly cut and mangled was removed from the wreckage and death was said to have been instantaneous. Buzane was unconscious when taken to the McCook base hospital where he died at 12:35 p.m. Capt. Jones and Mechanic Buzane were testing a two-seater fighter of the Curtiss type at the time of the accident. According to witnesses the engine in the plane was warmed-up before leaving the ground and seemed to be in first-class condition. Capt Jones was riding in the front seat and Buzane in the rear cock pit when they taxied down the field for the take off. Opening the throttle the plane gained speed and after a short run into the wind it leaped into the air. Engine trouble developed almost as soon as the plane left the ground and at 300’ the engine was “cutting-out” to such a degree that the plane wa sin a stalling position. Before this could be corrected it had dropped into the tail-spin and a second later was a mass of wreckage on the field. Officers at McCook field explained the tail spin at that position when the engine of the plane pointed down the entire plane revolves either to the right or to the left, according to the position of the rudder at the time the machine falls from its stalling position. It takes at least 400’ to get an airplane out of a tail-spin, according to fliers at the local field, who say that with plenty of altitude there is nothing dangerous about it. However, at a height of 300’ the plane crashes into the ground before it can be taken from the spin and in such cases the result is generally fatal to the pilot riding the front seat. This is explained by the officers who say the crash causes the engine to telescope the front seat, crushing the pilot between it and the rear cockpit. Capt. Wm. F. Jones was commissioned a 1st Lt. Oct 2, 1917 at Chanute Field, Rantoule, Ill. He was later sent to Love Field, Dallas, Texas where he was promoted to the rank of Capt. He came to the local field about the first of the present year and wasw connected with the testing department. He is unmarried and his father, WP Jones lives at New Richmond, Ind. George B. came to the local field Jan 15, 1919 from the Detroit district office of the Bureau of Aircraft Production. He was well known in auto circles as a vet race driver. He was married and according to local records his wife resides at 3516 Grand Blvd, Chicago. Buzane was a civilian mechanic in the engine test dept of the power plant section of McCook field under Major George Hallett. Both Capt Jones and Mr. Buzane resided at the Hotel Miami. Buzane was prominently known in the city through his connection with the various racing events held this locality during the recent years. He was entered at the Indianapolis speedway for the annual liberty sweepstake. However, because his machine turned turtle during the primaries he was unable to enter the race. Buzane recovered from this accident about three weeks ago.
Source: Munster, Indiana Times 14 July 1919 Mon p 5
Dayton, Ohio July 14 – In a 300’ fall at McCook’s Field today when their Curtis plane went into a tail spin, Capt. Wm. F Jones 25 New Richmond, Ind was killed and Charles Buzane, Chicago, mechanic, suffered injuries that may prove fatal. The men were testing the plane. They had been there about two months.
Source: Cincinnati Ohio Enquirer Tue 15 July 1919 p 1
Dayton, Ohio July 14 – Capt. William F. Jones, a licensed pilot was killed today and his mechanician, George D. Buzane, an automobile racer of national fame, was injured so seriously he died at the McCord Field Hospital less than an hour after a new type of airplane they were testing fell 300’. Engine trouble had developed a few seconds after the aviators left the ground. Capt. Jones was riding in the front seat of the plane and the mechanic in the rear cockpit. The engine was cutting out to such a degree that the plane was in a “stalling” position but before this could be corrected it had dropped into a tailspin officers at the field explained. In another instant the plane crashed to earth. Doubt had been expressed as to the stability of the machine, Capt. Jones having remarked to a spectator that he might need a parachute. He had no opportunity to use it. When spectators reached the aviators Capt. Jones was dying and Buzane haad been injured fatality. Botth were crushed and mangled by the fall. Jones d since Jan. The former was unmarr and came to Dayton from New Richmond, Ind. Buzane who was married resided in Chicago. He was entered in the Memorial Day races at Indianapolis but on account of a broken leg was unable to race.
Source: Crawfordsville Review 15 July 1919 p 1
New Richmond, Ind July 14 – W.T. Jones tonight is on his way to Dayton, Ohio to bring back the remains of Capt. William S. Jones, his son who was killed at the Wright field today in an airplane accident. The family received word this afternoon of the accident. Capt. Jones was 24 years old and had lived here for a number of years, coming with his family from North Carolina where he was born. He enlisted in Indianapolis March 16, 1917 in the Aviation Service and was commissioned Oct 25, 1917. He had been a captain for about a year and had been stationed at the Wright Aviation Field for several months. During the war he did not get overseas but was used as an instructor in aviation in America. In addition to his parents, he leaves two sisters and five brothers, one of whom was recently discharged from the service.
Son of William T. and Mary J. Smith Jones; moved to Montgomery County, Ind., 1894. Machinist. Enlisted in Aviation Service August 31, 1916, Indianapolis, Ind. Sent to Rantoul, Ill., for training. Acted as Test Pilot, Wilbur Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio. Commissioned First Lieutenant, October 3, 1917; promoted to Captain, 1919. Sent to McCook Field, Dayton, Ohio, where he was killed in aeroplane accident.