I hope you had a chance to read the "City Officials Hear Update on Center/N-B Museum" article in The Marshall Democrat-News. Bill Riggins explained several aspects of the plans that have been modified, giving both the details of any changes and the reasons for them. I believe the reader was able to conclude that this project start is eminent and that it is being "tweaked" to be even more user-friendly than originally envisioned. Again, thanks to all of you who have "believed" in the vision and have helped us monetarily and in other ways. If you have been contemplating giving a contribution but have not done so, it certainly is not too late!

Last night, my husband and I watched the movie "Fly Boys." I, for one, don't believe that it's chance when meaningful things occur at "just the right time." While watching the movie wasn't a monumental life experience, it did come at a point when what I was seeing had a special impact. The movie is based on a true story about the flying men of World War l who joined the French flying forces before America became officially involved. The story is one of bravery, finding oneself, and coming of age. All of this is set against the backdrop of early flight ... the year was 1916.

While I watched the film, I found my mind traveling to the heritage of the local Nicholas-Beazley Company, and the evolution of early aeronautics. By the time our local business was building and selling airplanes, they had already been developed into killing machines through the horrors of war. This movie shows the airplanes to be relatively fragile ... certainly in their infancy. As I watched the dog fights, I thought of the incidents about which I have written involving the setting of records, the wing walking, and the emergency landings. All of those men had courage and daring that I can't even imagine. I suggest that you rent the movie, if you haven't already seen it. Enjoy the story and think about all of the aviation pioneers who set the stage for air travel as we know it today.

One of the "flyboys" in the movie I saw last night came home after the war and started his own air circus. I have written about these events before, naming locals who performed daring stunts on the wings, as sky divers, or as pilots. Here is an article from The Marshall Democrat-News on Sept. 19, 1929, that tells of the Nicholas-Beazley involvement in an upcoming air circus:

"Nicholas-Beazley Will Enter in 12 Air Circus Events

"Same Ship Which Established Altitude Record Will Be

"Entered in Similar Record Attempt

"Nicholas-Beazley Airplane Company, Inc., here will have Barling NB-3 monoplanes in at least twelve events at the International Air Circus in Kansas City September 21 to 29, it has been tentatively decided. There may be planes in additional events, but this will be decided later.

"An interesting feature will be that of the try for a new altitude record for planes under 881 pounds. The record which D. S. (Barney) Zimmerley established in St. Louis last spring, is the goal which has been set for planes to overcome. This record is 20,820 feet. Zimmerley will have the same ship in which he established the record at Kansas City and will attempt to better his own altitude mark. The winner will receive $500.

"Another event in which Marshall people will be very much interested, is that of the Majestic Radio Derby. A Barling NB-3 plane will be entered in this event. The route of the derby is Kansas City to Topeka, Maryville, Kirksville, Columbia, Marshall, and Kansas City. By the time the ships reach Marshall it should be pretty well known who will win. The prizes are: First $750, second $500, third $350, fourth $250, and fifth $150.

"Other events tentatively decided upon are: Fifty-mile free-for-all for 275 cubic inch engines, fifty-mile free-for-all for 510 inches, dead stick landing contest, fifty-mile free-for-all under 275 inches , fifty-mile stick job, Atwater Kent radio pony express, balloon bursting contest, and civilian acrobatic contest."

Another article appearing in the same paper is headlined as follows:

"Orders Continue to Hold Up

"No noticeable decrease of orders received due to the proximity of the winter season, has become apparent to date. A number of orders for winter flying equipment have been received from transport companies and flying organizations indicating preparations within the industry for the winter activities. An increase in orders for metal supplies, including large orders for metal rivets, have indicated a trend toward metal construction among the manufacturers."

Results of the air circus in Kansas City were announced in the Sept. 26, 1929, edition of The Marshall Democrat-News.

"Got Second in Race

"H.A. Speer Continues to Win at Kansas City Meet

"While not so prominent Tuesday as on other days, Barling NB-3 monoplanes continued to do their stuff at the International Air Circus in Kansas City. Nicholas-Beazley pilots are flying some of them, while private owners are piloting others.

"In a 25-mile race for planes under 275 cubic inches, Moore won first with an average speed of 98.47 miles an hour. His time was 15:14. Second was H. A. Speer, flying a Barling NB-3 monoplane. Third was D. S. (Barney) Zimmerley, also flying a Barling NB-3.

"In the dead-stick landing contest, Charles Hanst was first. He landed within 15 feet 6 inches of the spot. Blaine Tuxhorn, flying a Barling, was second and Paul Woodall, whose piloting has elicited much favorable comment, was third.

Check this out ...

Another of the "flyboys" in the movie came home to America after World War l to fly in the newly-established air-mail circuit. Incidentally, he was a black man who had originally gone to France to box professionally. He had done well in boxing and the French had treated him without racial prejudice, so he wanted to fight in the war to repay them. As he told his buddy about wanting to fly when he returned to America he observed, "I love to fly. When you're not fighting, it is peaceful, quiet, and free in the air. In the sky, it won't matter to anyone that I am black."

The following is an article from The Marshall Democrat-News dated Oct. 3, 1929, in which there is mention of air mail planes:

"Marshall Given Airway Weather Observer Station

"Mrs. H. K. Ferrell Will Give Weather Conditions

"to Kansas City and St. Louis at Night

"Marshall has been given an airway weather observation station for the night air mail route between St. Louis and Omaha by the Airways Department of the United States Department of Commerce, according to H. K. Ferrell, airways mechanic for the Department of Commerce, with headquarters in Marshall.

"Beginning tomorrow air mail planes will pass over the Nicholas-Beazley airport at about 8:45 p.m. and at about 4:45 a.m. The plane leaving Kansas City for St. Louis at 3:45 in the morning will get here about an hour later, and the plane leaving St. Louis at 7:30 p.m., will reach the local airport two hours later. None will land except in extreme emergency, as the local field is not lighted for night flying.

"Mrs. Ferrell has been appointed to conduct the readings required for the air service. It will be her duty to furnish weather conditions to the Kansas City and St. Louis offices a few minutes before the start of the air mail planes. In stormy weather she will take emergency readings.

"All observations will be made at her home, 351 W. Washington, although the ceiling light, by which she will determine the height of the clouds, will be placed about 500 feet from her home, probably on the roof of the Cliff B. Goodwin Grocer Company building at the corner of English and West Arrow Streets. This ceiling light is similar to a beacon and casts a powerful beam upward at a 63 degree angle.

"Another instrument is used to measure the angle from the light to the clouds and convert the distance into feet. Other instruments to be installed here are a weather vane, an anemometer to measure the speed of the wind, a barometer, and a thermometer."

Building the Vision appears Wednesday.