Many have been the complaints and inquiries over Municipal airport's slow development. There is a reason with a story behind it.

Municipal was just a dream when our boys went away to war. In the minds of a few far-seeing men, lived a vision of a tremendous air-age to come. Warsaw could dwindle on the vine without proper air facilities. Airlines and feeder lines would pass us by.

Some such thoughts must also have occurred to those early citizens who advocated and agitated for railroads and highways. They were not always met with high enthusiasm. Neither was the idea of a municipal airport. The same type of thinking which would have rejected the noisy, smoky railroad, still snipe-shoots at flying and airports.

Flying is here to stay, to grow and our cities will prosper with it.

 It was only four years ago when the Chamber of Commerce created an aviation committee. In the beginning meetings were held with Tony Mathia, Robert Hall, Fred Irvine, Clarence Maish, your columnist, Ezra Graham, Dal Crooke, Bob Gast, Don Lessig. As the idea grew, others joined the movement. I apologize now for not being able to name them all.

Under the fiery drive of Morrison Rockhill, now a member of the state aeronautics board, a public dinner was held. Crusty, air-wise, elderly Walker Winslow, then manager of the great Indianapolis air terminal and colonel of the war-born Civil Air Patrol was engaged as speaker. The colonel sold everyone at the banquet, continued to talk too long. Lost in enthusiasms he darned near upset the apple cart while everyone fidgeted. Remember?

Mayor Frank O. Rarick was an early advocate of a municipal airport. He promised the city would accept and nurture the gift if funds were raised, the land purchased.

Nearly every progressive citizen in town was interested by this time. Contributions came from many surrounding villages to assist us. State engineers picked the ideal site, three miles north of Warsaw, east of the Big Four railroad and road 15.

They said: "Here is the proper type ground, the right location. Regardless of its availability, get it!"

Consisting of 117 acres of land, the tract was held by three owners. John Stevens had a life interest in 60 acres. Seventeen heirs were contacted by visit and mail to sign releases. A Mr. Teghtmeyer at Bremen, owned a critical 40 acres. He thought the committee was a "bunch of sharp-shooters!" When convinced of the worthy nature of the deal, he readily sold his land. The third and last piece of ground, 17 acres, was owned by a man named Mitchell, who lived in Florida.

After Mitchell was contacted, letter after letter written, papers cleared, titles examined, John Stevens and his 17 heirs had signed releases, Mr. Teghtmeyer had come through, the committee was ready to buy.

A total of $10,700 was spent to secure the 117 acres, with title going to the Chamber of Commerce, in trust for the city of Warsaw. Time had certainly passed!

The ground, though ideally situated was in no condition to be called an airport. Deep gulleys ran through the center of the area. No drainage was there. Trees must be uprooted. The committee had less than $2,000 left with which to work. (Next, Municipal Airport Opens.)

Bell Aircraft shut down for two weeks vacation all 'round. Several Warsawans oughta be home for a visit.

Anyone know whatever happened to Ralph Bloxham, formerly from Etna Green and a very early plane manufacturer?

Our next door neighbor, Plymouth airport, turned out several new private pilots recently: Walter Smith, Fred Bacon, Roy Livinghouse, Roger Brown, Willard Woolley and Clyde Tharp. Also their A & E (airplane mechanic to groundlings) has a new commercial license. Name of James E. Carey used to fly at Rochester.

Harold "Dutch" Ford, local tire tycoon, learning to fly now. Cal Warner, Jr. soloed in 7 1/2 hours, little less than average time for conventional controls.

Warsaw Daily Times, Monday Aug. 4, 1947