Courtesy Photo | U.S. Army Capt. Ray S. Miller, right, and Lt. Col. W.C. Garis pose for a photograph...... read more read more
We were scheduled to leave the Curtiss Northwest Airport at 11:00 a.m., September 26 but were delayed on account of numerous moving picture representatives desiring to get pictures of us in all manner of poses.
After about one-half hour’s “torture” before the camera on the ground, we took the air, hovering over the field about 20 minutes, while a ship carrying several photographers snapped pictures from above us.
At 11:50, we began our 1,600-mile trip. With a tailwind, we literally flew down the Mississippi [River], passing cites on the Minnesota side, which we could easily identify from our altitude. We kept to the Wisconsin side of the river, however, as it afforded us better landing fields in case our motor should cut out.
After an hour and 20 minutes Gen. [Walter F.] Rhinow, who was sitting on my right, asked, and I could scarcely hear him above the roar of the motor if we were not nearing La Crosse [Wisconsin], and after standing up in my seat and looking about, I nodded assent. None of us had ever landed on the La Crosse Field, but it was very quickly found owing to its plain markings.
GREETED BY MAYOR
Upon landing on the field were greeted by the mayor of La Crosse and J.P. Salzer, President, Aero Club, together with a delegation of about 300 citizens, and after an exchange of greetings were escorted to a hotel where a banquet was served us.
After a few hours we became anxious to be on our way, but the good citizens of LaCrosse found so many excuses why we should not start immediately that four hours rolled by before we bade farewell to our hosts and took off to Chicago. Darkness fell, however, before we reached Madison, and just over the city, we met a blinding rainstorm, so thought it best to land and spend the night there.
Gen. [Orlando] Holway, Adjutant General of Wisconsin, called at our hotel during the evening and while he and Rhinow were chatting Capt. Miller and I went to a picture show. The money was wasted, however – we were soon fast asleep and were not disturbed until requested to “move” at the close of the theater.
GOT EARLY START
Monday [Sept. 27, 1920] morning we got out early, and with favorable winds reached Chicago in a remarkably short time. Our stay in Chicago was just long enough to take gas, and Monday evening we reached Van Wert, [Ohio], landing just across the road from the home of Capt. Miller’s parents. The Miller household had prepared a most excellent chicken dinner and we partook of all the 57 varieties which go to make up a real “home” meal.
The following morning, Sept. 28, we set out for Cleveland [Ohio] and landed on the field of the Martin Bomber Co. about noon. Some of the ground hogs from the factory came out to look over our ship and visit with us and made such encouraging remarks at this – “the last Oriole passing through Cleveland crashed on this field and killed three people.” All of which did not disturb us in the least.
In taking off at Cleveland, we developed a little motor trouble. One of the cylinders was missing, but we found it was only a bad spark plug and were delayed but a few minutes. By dark we were in Buffalo [New York] and the general, being tired, retired early, but Capt. Miller and myself, following our usual custom, went to a picture show, and again, as in our habit, fell asleep.
GAS SUPPLY LOW
On Wednesday morning, Sept. 29, we set out with the hope of reaching New York [City] by dark. When about 30 miles from Albany [New York] our gas was found to be low, and seeing high hills ahead, which would necessitate a several thousand-foot climb, we thought it best to turn about and stop at Amsterdam [New York]. At Amsterdam we took on just enough gas to carry us to Albany but did not reckon with the accommodations which awaited us there, namely, a dearth of gas, and a four hour wait for a new supply to be obtained.
Late in the afternoon we continued on our way to New York [City], but at Poughkeepsie [New York], 75 miles north of New York [City], it became dark, and we decided to spend the night at Poughkeepsie. The next morning [Sept. 30, 1920] a heavy rain was falling with all the appearance of a “perpetual” shower, and it was at this point the Gen. Rhinow decided to take the train to Washington D.C. and await our arrival there.
It was not until Oct. 1, that we left Poughkeepsie with a very low ceiling sailing down the Hudson River fog, and arriving at Garden City, [Long Island, New York] late in the afternoon.
ARISTOCRATIC HOTEL
Inquiring of a native for a good hotel in Garden City, we were directed to the Garden City Hotel, and after many questions from Capt. Miller as to whether it was a very good hotel, we entered one of the most aristocratic hotels in the vicinity of New York. It was a grand mistake, however, for it came to us quite forcibly that we were in the wrong pew. We were not “at home” among the “400.” We were amused with the situation, however, and spent the night there.
Monday, Oct. 2, we left Garden City for Washington D.C. bucking a 25-mile wind at 2,000 feet. It took exactly three hours and 45 minutes to make the distance from Garden City to Washington D.C., which in favorable conditions would have taken two hours.
At Washington D.C. we landed on Bolling Field and were received by the officers of the field with every consideration and courtesy. In the evening they gave a dinner in our honor, and a very enjoyable evening was passed. The captain medical officer at the field formerly lived in St. Paul and enthusiastically inquired for many of his friends here, including Mr. Otto Raths.
ATTENDED BALL GAME
Capt. Miller had spent considerable time in Washington D.C. some years ago, so Sunday morning [Oct. 3, 1920] he escorted me about the city and pointed out its many historic attractions. In the afternoon we were entertained by several former Minnesota men in Washington D.C. at a ball game between Washington and Philadelphia, and at dinner by we were interviewed by three newspaper men from St. Paul and Minneapolis and we then outlined a schedule of action for the following day.
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, Oct. 4, 5, and 6, were spent in Washington D.C., and each of these days was crowded with numerous official engagements. We had a very interesting talk with the Chief of the Militia Bureau, and he promised everything within his power, stating that he lived to help those who helped themselves, and that Minnesota stood very high with him.
After our conference with Gen. [Jesse Mcllvane] Carter we called on Gen. [Billy] Mitchell, assistant chief, air service. He showed a great deal of interest in our organization and assured us that he stood ready to assist us in any way he can.
CONFERRED WITH COMMITTEE
We also conferred with a committee of the general staff, and after outlining our proposition to them, they expressed much interest and offered us their full and hearty support. We were received very graciously everywhere we went in Washington D.C., and were usually met with the greeting; “We heard about you”, meaning that they were acquainted with the fact that there exists a Minnesota Observation Squadron.
We had planned on leaving Wednesday [Oct. 6, 1920] afternoon, but a little motor trouble delayed us until so late in the afternoon that our plans had to be changed. The late afternoon was spent taking several newspaper men for lights over Washington D.C.
Left Thursday, Oct. 7, 1920.
| Date Taken: | 10.27.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 10.28.2020 10:20 |
| Story ID: | 381826 |
| Location: | ST. PAUL, MN, US |
| Web Views: | 29 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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