Once in a while something happens that makes a cold day warm. It seems that Sky Writing has an unexpected fan. Unexpected, for this reader is some 82-years-young, I'm never surprised when some youngster mentions that he likes airplanes. It is even expected that the average automobile driver would have some interest in the age of flight.

But to discover that my very good friend, Mrs. Charlotte Rigdon, is a regular reader of Sky Writing was a pleasant, heart-warming note on a cold blustery day. Mrs. Rigdon, you know is the mother of Dr. Dale Rigdon and Mrs. Carla Butler. She lives at 210 North Buffalo street in Warsaw.

She may be 82 to you, but whenever I speak to Mrs. Rigdon. I can't help but notice the 16-year old twinkle in her eye, which some of us, with far less years, might well emulate.

Granddaughter Charlotte, of our staff, who, of course has been carrying tales to me, asked her precious elder if she would care to take an airplane ride. No reactionary thinker, Mrs. Rigdon said: "Yes".

 

She knows what she is talking about, too, for when given the choice of a plane, she wisely said: "The bigger the better, but I'd enjoy it!"

So today, we Sky-Write a line to probably our oldest reader and good friend, Mrs. Charlotte Rigdon, 82.

In the city hall at North Webster, the other day, Tippecanoe Township Trustee Ira Nine reminded me of an old-time pilot that many more of you will remember.

Lee Ikenberry used to barnstorm this area in the late twenties and early thirties. He had an old bi-plane, open cockpit, would take you aloft for two bucks.

One day in 1930, Ikenberry dropped into a pasture field belonging to Ira's dad, Thomas Nine, near North Webster. It so happened that a man by the name of Cookston had just drowned in one of the Barbees -- Secrist lake, I think, and a search was on for his body. Neighbor Leonard Vanator was Ikenberry's first cash customer, paid $2 for a ride over the lake, looking for the body. (Modern facilities fell down, though for an Indian found the man some weeks later.)

A little later on, events were occurring that shaped a young man's life. "Jumpin Joe" Gerard, who was better described as "Little Joe" at that time, came to the field with his dad, "Peck." the elder Gerard paid Ikenberry $5 to take them up over the clouds." Now "Little Joe" became a well known athlete, "Jumpin Joe," and Later "Captain Joe" of the Marine Air Force where he had an enviable sky-born war record. He is now chemistry instructor in the North Webster high school.

Progressive young minds in school are apt to look upon their tutors and other old folks as "old fuddy-duddies". Think twice, kids. That doesn't fit your pal, Joe Gerard.

And it may surprise you to know that Trustee Nine was an early birdman, too. for when Pilot Ikenberry was barnstorming from the Nine pasture, the National Air Races of 1930 were on in Chicago. Young Nine and Flyer Ikenberry, bummed a wide-mouthed Thermos bottle full of hot chicken from Ira's Mother, left by plane for the races.

They flew from Webster into the busy Chicago air terminal, saw the day races and stayed that night for the air races. They slept in the open cockpit of the old bi-plane until the next morning and returned to Webster, still chewing chicken. That was 18 years ago.

Aviation fans are where you find them--in the most surprising places.

Warsaw Daily Times Wed. Jan. 14, 1948

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