Timeline: Cape Girardeau aviation, 1907-1947

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is one of a series of files presenting a timeline of aviation in Cape Girardeau. The timeline accompanies a series of stories on the history of the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport, the first of which was published Sunday, June 13, 2010.

1907

May 1: The immense balloon America, which left St. Louis last evening at 7, containing J.C. McCoy and Army Capt. C.D.F. Chandler, passes over Cape Girardeau around 9 a.m.

Southeast Missourian archive Ozark Air Lines began serving the Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport in 1951 with southbound flights from St. Louis and northbound flights from Memphis.

Oct. 22: Cape Girardeau County residents had a great time watching the balloons last night, which floated over this area from the St. Louis races.

1908

Sept. 30: Last week's Jackson Homecomers proved to be an unquestioned success; visitors came long distances to greet old friends and visit the scenes of their former homes; thousands were attracted to the county seat every day of the celebration; they delighted in a program of national and state speakers, band concerts, dress parades by the Sixth Regiment, balloon ascensions and parachute leaps, the dedication of the new courthouse and the unveiling of a monument commemorating the deeds of a gallant soldier.

1911

Sept. 4: James C. "Bud" Mars, pioneer balloonist and aviator, makes his first airplane flight over Cape Girardeau during the old Cape Girardeau County Fair. (Mars died 25 July, 1944, at Los Angeles.)

1912

Nov. 26: Tony Jannus arrives in Cape Girardeau in a hydroplane. Whistles give the signal when the seaplane is sighted. The throng is the biggest that ever gathered at the riverfront except when President Taft arrived in 1909. Jannus and Jack Henning confer with the Commercial Club about locating the Benoist factory and aviation school in Cape Girardeau.

1913

May 23: Tony Jannus entertains with his hydroairplane.

1916

Nov. 3: According to press dispatches, Tony Jannus, aviator who visited Cape Girardeau many times and took several residents for joy ride in his hydroplane, fell and was killed Oct. 12 in Russia, where he was engaged by the government to teach army aviators to fly and operate planes.

1917

March 9: Albert Bond Lambert, balloonist of St. Louis, is in Cape Girardeau conferring with A.M. Tinsley and Fred Groves about establishing an aviation school here.

Sept. 10: Establishment of an airport in immediate vicinity of Cape Girardeau is suggested by O.E. Damron, local real estate dealer, who has been interested in such project for some time; pointing out that air navigation has passed the experimental state, Damron says Cape Girardeau should establish a landing field and erect appropriate markers with illumination at night to aid pilots.

1918

July 6: Airplane that was damaged at Fairground Park on July 4 when it "lit in pond" and then crashed into an embankment, breaking the propeller, is repaired and makes flight over southwest end of city.

1919

Jan. 8: Lt. Elmer B. Tapley, aviator from Payne Field, West Point, Miss., has the misfortune of breaking propeller of his airplane while landing in field at Lefarth farm, about mile southwest of Cape Girardeau; he will be forced to remain here several days until he can get a new propeller.

Sept. 17: Maj. Pat Frissell in his big de Havilland airplane arrives in Cape Girardeau in morning, having been prevented from reaching this city by engine trouble yesterday afternoon; Frissell will give flights during fair and, as he is one of great aviators of country, many thrills are assured; Frissell, along with his traveling companion, Lt. John Delaplane, will depart Friday for Aviation Repair Depot in Indianapolis, Ind., where they are stationed.

Oct. 4: Maj. Patrick Frissell, Cape Girardeau man, is killed in airplane accident; Frissell, commandant of Aviation Repair Department of Army at Indianapolis, was flying in a de Havilland airplane near Port Jervis, N.Y., accompanied by Lt. G.E. Ballard; in passing over Prospect Mountain, their machine struck tree, instantly killing Frissell and injuring Ballard; Frissell is survived by his wife, the former Rebecca Houck, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Houck; a 3-year-old daughter, six brothers and two sisters; he was born at Oak Ridge 32 years ago, son of Mr. and Mrs. N.C. Frissell; Frissell's last visit home was during recent Cape Girardeau County Fair, where he thrilled crowds with aviation stunts.

1920

July 20: The Rev. Thomas M. Finley of Oran, inventor of aerocruiser, lectures at courthouse on subject of aeronautics.

Aug. 22: Airplane operated by Sam Harrell of Sikeston is damaged when it hangs up on some telegraph wires south of Cape Girardeau while taking off from field; Harrell had been in St. Louis and, when he reaches here in morning, he alights just south of city to refill gas tank; no trouble is encountered in landing plane, but in taking off pilot overlooks telegraph wires and runs into them, breaking propeller and several other parts of machine.

Aug. 27: Unlike yesterday, second day of Homecomers celebration in Jackson begins with bright morning and moderate temperatures; people come early and in droves; last night crowd was considerably larger than had been expected because of unfavorable weather conditions; free acts and splendid music were enjoyed by large crowds; airplane continued to fly and postmaster R.K. Wilson says ride over city of Jackson was great experience.

1921

Aug. 6: The Rev. T.M. Finley of Oran is in Detroit to witness tests of the aerocruiser tandem motor which he invented to be used for airplanes and automobiles.

Sept. 8: A huge seaplane, Santa Maria, on way to New Orleans, stops at Cape and carries passengers on short sightseeing trips. It flew here from St. Louis in 1 hour and 45 minutes.

1923

July 25: Charter giving Aero-Cruiser Corp. of America, headed by the Rev. Thomas M. Finley, formerly pastor of the Methodist church at Oran, right to sell stock in Missouri is revoked by the state finance department.

1924

April 24: Racing balloon, which took off at San Antonio, Texas, yesterday, passes over St. Vincent's College at 11:10 p.m.

1925

June 6: Under clouds that threaten at any moment to interrupt ceremony with downpour of rain, about 350 people at flying field near Cape Girardeau witness what is said to be first airplane wedding performed in Missouri; in 180-horsepower plane, piloted by Budd Geurney of Harry H. Perkins Flying Circus, Emma Scharf, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Scharf of Cape Girardeau, becomes bride of Glover Gill, son of Mrs. B.F. Gill of Kansas City; ceremony is performed by the Rev. H.C. Hoy, pastor of Centenary United Methodist Church.

June 7: Grace Lamer, 25, and Pearl Baysinger, 21, both of Cobden, Ill., are burned to death, and John Hunter, 22, pilot of airplane, narrowly escapes death when their plane crashes into tree, dives 30 feet to earth and burns; more than 1,000 people, spectators at demonstrations given by Harry K. Perkins Flying Circus, witness tragedy; Hunter saves his life by leaping from plane as it strikes ground.

June 9: Investigation by county authorities into airplane accident at Cape Girardeau flying field Sunday, in which two Cobden, Ill., girls lost their lives, is dropped, following announcement that amicable settlement was reached between relatives of girls and officials of Perkins Flying Circus.

1929

Sept. 13: Airplane made in Cape Girardeau soon will be flying over city; Edgar and Richard Hirsch, sons of Mrs. Selma Hirsch, are building their own plane, aided by friend, Kermit Tinsley, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Tinsley.

Nov. 1: Airport is proposed for Cape Girardeau.

1930

May 5: Organization to promote establishment of airport is formed.

Sept. 11: Three airplanes join in a search for a fourth plane reported to have crashed somewhere in the vicinity of Cape Girardeau last night; local fliers, who have found no evidence of a crash, doubt the accuracy of the report.

Sept. 15: H.M. Field, 82, South Hanover Street, was taken for an air ride at Cuskaden field yesterday.

Sept. 18: The Missouri State Chamber of Commerce squadron of 14 airplanes on a statewide goodwill air tour arrives in Cape Girardeau just before noon, landing at Cuskaden Field on U.S. 61; waiting automobiles take the air guests to the downtown section, where they lunch at the Hotel Marquette.

Oct. 1: Three airplanes, including a 15-passenger craft, have started passenger service from Cuskaden Field, south of Cape Girardeau.

Nov. 10: Three Cape Girardeau men narrowly escape injury when an airplane in which they are returning to the city from a hunting expedition crashes into a treetop two miles south of Millersville and is demolished; Milburn Miller, pilot of the craft, isn't injured.

Dec. 10: Airport committee inspects sites for flying field.

1931

July 12: Albert Hunter, one of the Hunter brothers of Sparta, Ill., famous for their endurance flight, and troupe of fliers, carry passengers on short air jaunts over Cuskaden Field.

Sept. 28: About 1,500 people gather at Cuskaden Field on U.S. 61 to watch "Speedy" Kimberlin jump from a flying airplane without a parachute; the feat is done by jumping after the plane is about six feet off the ground, while it is estimated to be traveling at a rate of 60 miles per hour.

1932

May 8: Ray Casson and Frank Martini of Chicago were forced by approaching darkness to make a landing near Jackson with their airplane last night; unfortunately, they chose a plowed field on the Walter Knox farm, and when they try to take off this morning, their ship fails to pick up speed in the plowed ground and finally turns over.

July 14: Fire destroys airplane of Ben Funk of Cape while in a field alongside Highway 74, south of Cape Girardeau.

Oct. 12: Two automobile loads of citizens go to look over a real estate project being developed in Iron County by the Finley aerocruiser interests.

Oct. 19: The Missourian has again demonstrated it knows how to handle news while it is news; along with the newspaper's extensive coverage of Denver Wright's lion hunt on Towhead Island, the Missourian printed the first photos of the lions and hunters hardly 24 hours after the hunt ended; pictures of the hunt were rushed to St. Louis on Monday night, where they were engraved and flown back to Cape Girardeau by airplane for inclusion in Tuesday's edition.

Oct. 20: Richard Hirsch, after six years of work, has completed the first airplane ever built in Cape Girardeau; on a trial hop, Cape Girardeau pilot William Kraft several days ago took the ship aloft for 20 minutes on a flight over the city; it performed perfectly; the diminutive plane weighs 370 pounds and has a top speed of 90 mph.

Oct. 22: W.C. Miller and J.B. Carpenter solicit funds for ground work on American Airways flying field on Highway 74.

1933

June 21: Three men, two Girardeans and one from Cairo, Ill., miraculously survive an airplane crash on the banks of the Mississippi River, 11 miles south of Cape Girardeau, in which their aircraft is demolished; Robert T. Richards, an electrical engineer at the Marquette Cement Mfg. plant, owner and pilot of the plane; Eldridge Rose, another employee of the plant, and E.H. Eckler of Cairo receive only minor scratches when the motor of the plane stalls in midair over Thebes, Ill., and then sideslips across the river into a field on the Missouri side.

1934

Feb. 6: Cape Girardeau will have the opportunity to secure money for construction of a municipal airport, says Maj. George Foster of the federal airways bureau; while the government would provide funds to build the airport, maintenance for the port would have to be provided by either the city or community groups and individuals.

1939

Oct. 10: Maj. D.D. Watson, missing pilot from Texas airfield, is located by Ben Funk and Reginald Gerhardt of Cape, dead in crumpled plane north of Caruthersville.

1940

September: Consolidated School of Aviation opens with three airplanes on the Barrett Cotner farm on Highway 74. Clyde Primo heads the school.

1941

Jan. 30: A.C. Burns, aeronautical inspector for this district of Civil Aeronautics Authority, and Wayne Criley, ground school instructor of agency, are here to inspect facilities at Teachers College and at Consolidated School of Aviation as routine procedure before issuing final approval to college to begin instruction in course of flying.

March 14: Twenty Teachers College students, taking special aviation courses at school, begin their actual flying at Consolidated School of Aviation airport on Highway 74; each student is required to carry two kinds of insurance before he can fly; one is life insurance policy of $1,000 and other is liability policy for $3,000, covering damage they might inflict to plane in case of crash.

April 21: County court in Jackson is asked by group of Cape Girardeau and Jackson business men, representatives of Chambers of Commerce, to sign application for $295,000 WPA project for construction of airport in Cape County on site selected near Dutchtown; court signs application.

June 23: Detailed discussion of development and ultimate use of proposed airport near Dutchtown is conducted between Maj. William Robert of St. Louis and county court in Jackson; members of court are considering submitting county bond issue so airstrip can be started.

July 3: Cape Girardeau County Airport Committee has voted to ask county court to call $65,000 bond issue election to finance county's portion of construction of airport near Dutchtown.

July 7: County court in Jackson decides to hold up formal order calling for special election on proposal to issue $65,000 in bonds to build new airport until acting prosecuting attorney James A. Finch looks into legal angles connected with plan.

July 18: Formation of corporation to be known as Consolidated School of Aviation Inc. is announced with 19 Cape Girardeau, St. Marys and Jackson business and professional men as stockholders; new corporation takes over all equipment of Consolidated School of Aviation, which has been operating on Barrett Cotner farm on Highway 74 south of Cape Girardeau.

July 18: Attorney general's office in Jefferson City rules that Cape Girardeau can issue bonds to build airport if bond issue is authorized by election.

July 30: Articles of agreement and certificates of incorporation of Consolidated School of Aviation have been filed in Jackson; new corporation is to have its headquarters in Cape Girardeau, and it has capital of $20,000, held by Ralph C. Primo, John J. Tlapek, Francis X. Roth, Robert B. Goodwin, William J. Kies, Barrett Cotner and James M. Finch.

Aug. 1: William J. Kies has been named president of Consolidated School of Aviation Inc., recently established when group of Cape Girardeau, St. Marys and Jackson businessmen purchase school from Ralph and Clyde Primo.

Aug. 11: County court in Jackson fixes Tuesday, Sept. 9, as date for countywide election at which voters will pass on proposal to issue $85,000 bonds for construction of airport near Dutchtown.

Aug. 29: Little interest is being shown in $85,000 airport bond issue election, to be held countywide Sept 9, only 11 days from now; if passed, funds would be county's share of airport construction project; WPA would furnish $194,000.

Sept. 3: If voters of Cape Girardeau County approve proposal to issue $85,000 in bonds to purchase site and help with government appropriation to build airport near Dutchtown, county court will appoint nonpartisan commission to advise and assist court in operation of field.

Sept. 8: Number of Cape Girardeau business and civic leaders come forward in last-minute appeal to voters to go to polls Tuesday to approve $85,000 bond issue for construction of airport in county; among those voicing their support are R.E.L. Lamkin, Arnold Roth, A.S. Reed, U.G. Pettigrew, L.W. Simmons, J.B. Carpenter, Fred A. Groves, Nat M. Snider, George J. Vandeven and Robert Musser.

Sept. 8: George Hamilton of Jacksonville, Fla., until recently serving as instructor for Army at student training center at Jackson, Miss., arrives to become manager of Consolidated School of Aviation.

Sept. 9: Despite 13-1 majority piled up in city of Cape Girardeau, voters of Cape Girardeau County, led by Jackson and rural precincts in west and north sections, defeat proposed bond issue of $85,000 to build airport at special election.

Sept. 29: Proposal that city offer to serve as sponsor for airport is discussed briefly at city council meeting; Mayor Hinkle Statler is asked to seek additional information as to construction government will do through Works Project Administration.

Oct. 6: Twenty Teachers College Students begin Civilian Pilots Training Program at Consolidated school of Aviation, this being third class to be furnished by college in cooperation with Civil Aeronautics Authority to build up nation's civil aviation strength.

1942

Feb. 4: Bond issue proposal to provide funds, which would be matched by federal government, to construct municipal airport at site of Consolidated School of Aviation on Highway 74 is being discussed by city business men.

Feb. 16: Construction has begun on new hangar at Consolidated School of Aviation, located on Highway 74, south of Cape Girardeau; new unit, added to south end of present building, will increase plane capacity from present 12 planes to 32 planes.

Feb. 27: Consolidated School of Aviation Inc. has received permission to double size of civilian pilots training program now underway; school, which has contract for training all Teachers College air students, will also add advanced cross-country training course to program.

March 2: Consolidated School of Aviation Inc. purchases 192-acre Barrett Cotner farm on Highway 74, just south of city, to be used as site for maintaining and operating flying school and general community airport.

March 23: Contracts have been let and work begins on clearing about 10 acres of timber from Consolidated School of Aviation Inc. airport on Highway 74 south of city; land will be cleared of all trees and stumps within about 30 days.

April 15: Consolidated School of Aviation Inc. here has offered to Missouri Reserve Military Force services of its equipment and personnel to organize and train aviation squadron, which would serve as guard unit in war emergency.

April 22: Approval for advanced secondary instructor's rating course has been given Consolidated School of Aviation by War Department, approval coming through Civil Aeronautics Authority.

April 29: Five men -- Phillip Leuckel, William Webb, Richard Hirsch, John Flentge and Harry L. Campbell -- have entered training at Consolidated School of Aviation for secondary instructor ratings; they will, upon completion of their training of maximum of 60 hours flight time, qualify for posts as instructors in Army Air Force Flying Command or in other branches of air service.

May 27: Officials of Civilian Pilot Training program at Teachers College, asked by Army and Civil Aeronautics Authority to seek applicants for training in glider and light airplane pilot training program, say glider training course may be inaugurated late this summer or early fall.

July 1: Teachers College and Consolidated School of Aviation have been notified by Civil Aeronautics Administration of quota of 51 men -- 26 for Army and 25 for Navy -- who will be trained in various divisions of two flight programs.

July 15: Consolidated School of Aviation Inc. becomes, in effect, military aviation training school, serving Army and Navy.

Aug. 6: Breaking of ground for new Army airfield south of Cape Girardeau is started in the afternoon, then temporarily delayed by heavy rain; Lester Raines, farmer residing near port, has been awarded contract for job and is using two tractors to turn under surface of tract.

Aug. 10: A. Jackson Hunter, for six years teacher in public school system in Cape Girardeau, is named manager of new airport on U.S. 61 by Parks Air College; Hunter will have charge of general maintenance of all buildings and airport site.

Aug. 11: Articles of agreement and certificate of incorporation of Cape Institute of Aeronautics Inc. have been filed for record in recorder's office in Jackson; company will operate new airfield at Cape Girardeau; new corporation has capital stock of $50,000 and stock is held by Oliver L. Parks, Edgar Feltcher, Fulyon M. Moore, John L. Gilmore and W.H. Oberheide.

Aug. 12: With weather conditions more favorable following letup of rain, more progress is being made on new Army airport south of Cape Girardeau on U.S. 61; Parks Air College has contract for training Army cadets in primary flying, and that company is overseeing work here.

Aug. 21: Work will be rushed remainder of this week on new Army airfield south of city to make way for contractor, William Ehlers, to begin construction of buildings; area for structures will be staked off next week and foundation construction will likely start then.

Aug. 24: His training plane crashing on farm mile northwest of Jackson, Floyd J. Killian, 21, of Vanduser, a naval aviation student at Consolidated School of Aviation here, is seriously injured.

Aug. 28: Floyd J. Killian, Cape aviation student, dies from injuries sustained in plane crash.

Sept. 9: Five thousand pounds of grass seed is sown on new airfield on U.S. 61. It is a combination of blue and rye grass, said to be the best for making sod. New aviation student quotas have been assigned Consolidated School of Aviation by government and classes on new schedules will begin about Sept. 14; school has completed courses for 170 students, covering 18-month period; 42 students will be trained during next term.

Sept. 11: Construction of buildings at Army airfield south of Cape Girardeau on U.S. 61 is set to begin next week; considerable progress is being made on airport despite rain.

Sept. 25: With weather conditions favorable, progress is being made on construction of new Army airfield on U.S. 61; work on building construction, however, will not begin in earnest for few days until certain government priorities are met and machinery of securing formal approvals for everything has had time to function; flight area is virtually completed.

Sept. 29: Concrete for foundation of administration building at new Army airfield on U.S. 61 is being poured, as actual construction work on group of 21 structures already approved for field gets underway.

Sept. 30: To fill orders at Weingarten war internment project and Army airport on U.S. 61 here, government is taking virtually all No. 2 lumber local retail yards have on hand; most of it is being shipped by truck or rail to projects, bulk of it going to the Weingarten job in Ste. Genevieve.

Oct. 4: First corps of flight instructors for new Army airport, under construction on U.S. 61, have been ordered to report for duty Oct. 25; in preparation for their coming, construction work is being rushed on No. 1 hangar to accommodate planes to be sent here by Army to begin training of instructors and to enable those reporting to brush up on their flying.

Oct. 6: Weldon Well Co. begins drilling deep well to provide water supply at new Army airport south of city.

Oct. 16: Every day puts one or more additional buildings under construction at new Army airfield on U.S. 61; ideal weather has permitted uninterrupted work and construction of 18 buildings is under way; those buildings under construction included two hangars, administration, garage, link trainer, recreation classroom and 12 barracks units

Oct. 19: Men boring the water well at the new airfield become exasperated at the question: "How far down are you now?" Near the drill rig is a low mound resembling a freshly dug grave. At one end protrudes a pair of shoes; at the other is a battered hat, labeled: "Here lies the last guy who asked how deep the well was."

Oct. 22: For first time since construction started, rain partially stops work on buildings and ground installations at new Army airfield south on U.S. 61; despite this, rain, in one way is welcome sign by airport officials who have thus far seen little results for seeding of flight areas.

Oct. 29: All but two of 24 main buildings at new Army airfield have been placed under construction and work on those two is expected to start in few days; work is yet to be started on No. 4 hangar and on flight control building.

Nov. 11: New flight training program is started at Consolidated School of Aviation Inc. on Highway 74, for another group of Navy and Army cadets; group includes 15 Navy primary and five Navy secondary students, and five Army secondary fliers; glider training program has been curtailed and five students in that course are to be transferred to regular Army program at local field.

Nov. 18: Work has begun on construction of runway at Consolidated School of Aviation on Highway 74; strip, to be of earth construction, will be little less than 4,000 feet long and will run from southeast to northwest.

Dec. 1: Fire destroys hangar, 24 planes, equipment at Cape Aviation School on Highway 74.

Dec. 2: Plans for immediate rebuilding of plant of Consolidated School of Aviation Inc. destroyed by fire Tuesday, have been made by board of directors; greatly expanded school will likely be housed in group of four buildings, instead of single structure.

Dec. 3: With one of large hangars virtually completed, work is being rushed on other three at Army airfield on U.S. 61 to have port in readiness for beginning flight training of Army Air Force cadets on or about Christmas; all other buildings on site are now under construction.

Dec. 17: Nineteen primary and secondary naval aviation cadets, in training at Consolidated School of Aviation, are placed on military footing and assigned to active duty in service; cadets will be uniformed and will conduct themselves in same manner as they would at regular naval station.

Dec. 22: Army officers and civilian officials of new Army airfield on U.S. 61, undismayed by abnormal amount of unfavorable weather, are pursuing plans for opening of new port; Oliver Parks, head of Parks Air College in East St. Louis, Ill., organization which will operate field, has been here for several days and is working with military and civilian staffs to get field in readiness for opening.

Dec. 26: New army airfield on U.S. 61 south is officially designated Harris Field, in memory of Lawrence Harris, flight instructor for Parks Air College in Illinois, killed in crash.

Dec. 31: Air cadet training begins at Harris Field.

1943

Jan. 22: It is now Capt. Clarke Simonds, commanding officer at Harris Field; Capt. Simonds is notified of his promotion from rank of first lieutenant to captain, effective Jan. 15.

Jan. 23: Plane from Harris Field crashes in field near Dutchtown, fatally injuring two men; also killed two cows.

Jan. 27: Preliminary inspection of about 20 or more restaurants has just been completed by medical staff of Army Air Forces flight training detachment at Harris Field; purpose of inspection is to seek cooperation of restaurant operators in maintaining approved sanitary conditions at places where aviation cadets, while on leave from field, may take their meals.

Jan. 29: General pass system, controlling visits of outsiders to Harris Field, and also regulating going in and out of persons employed there, including entire Army personnel, has been inaugurated by Army Air Forces detachment and Cape Institute of Aeronautics.

Jan. 30: Second class of Army Air Forces cadets assigned to Harris Field arrives by train from southern preflight school and are taken immediately in busses to field.

Feb. 12: Paul A. Watkins of Wheeling, W.Va., cadet with 73rd Army Air Forces Flight Training Detachment at Harris Field, finds himself "sitting out in the air" at 4,000 feet, when his safety belt becomes unfastened during routine training flight; after momentary surprise, he pulls ripcord ring of his parachute and floats safely down, landing on Jarik farm just north of Chaffee.

March 1: First class of Army Air Force cadets to complete primary flight training at Harris Field here took its leave over weekend, and new class, the third, arrived to begin training.

March 18: Construction of three new building will begin within few days at Consolidated School of Aviation Inc.; school has received permission from Washington to proceed with work.

April 6: Harris Field holds first public inspection; 972 people tour the base.

April 26: Flight instructor Dominic Cassera, 20, and Aviation Cadet David Bruce Frederick, 20, of Harris Field, die when their Army training plane crashed on farm five miles east of Benton; crash occurs during routine training flight from Lee Field, east auxiliary to main flight base here; auxiliary field is between Commerce and Benton.

April 30: Another class of Army Air Force cadets completes its primary training at Harris Field and will leave Cape Girardeau Saturday, bound for new assignment at southern basic flying school where young men will continue their training to become war pilots for Uncle Sam.

May 13: Flight instructor and aviation cadet are injured when their Army training plane from Harris Field crashes into clump of trees on Henry Lamb farm, mile east of Mississippi River in Illmo; instructor Everett F. Dane and Cadet Charles W. Ellison are rescued from wrecked plane by Lamb, who bring them to Saint Francis Hospital here.

May 25: Members of military and civilian staffs at Harris Field are getting to work by boat; backwater from flooding Mississippi River overflows Highway 74 intersection and Diversion Channel, and motorboats are doing ferry service on U.S. 61 along inundated half-mile stretch.

June 9: Construction has begun on building program at Consolidated School of Aviation Inc. on Highway 74; using six teams of horses, workers began making excavation Tuesday for basement and foundation of administration building, one of three structures to be built immediately; present, temporary structure, which replaced original building following fire last winter, will be kept for while as storage building.

June 27: Open house is held at Harris Field under sponsorship of Class of 43-J of Army Air Force, with about 2,000 people attending; event is primarily for benefit of people of Cape Girardeau in appreciation of their hospitality to cadets; dance at Knights of Columbus hall for public closes out day's activities.

July 2: Another class of Army Air Force cadets arrives by train in afternoon and is immediately taken to Harris Field by bus; this new class, 44-A, is fourth to be assigned to field.

July 2: First Lt. Richard N. Jarrett, flight officer, arrives at Harris Field from Randolph Field, Texas, to become a supervisor of operations at local field.

July 7: Seventh class of aviation cadets arrives at Harris Field.

July 12: Dress parade is held at Harris Field quadrangle, with Cape Municipal Band furnishing music.

July 26: For gallantry in action while he was serving on Guadalcanal, Aviation Cadet Charles F. Buchholz, now taking primary flight training at Harris Field, is presented Army's Silver Star award at airfield by Brig. Gen. Robert E. Nowland.

July 27: Their Harris Field trainer plane crashing in field mile west of Chaffee, instructor Paul T. Roberts, 31, of Bad Axe, Mich., and Aviation Cadet James J. Morris, 20, of Bowling Green, Ky., are killed in accident.

July 30: Picture taken 38 years ago at the site of new Harris Field shows Mrs. John Payne of Illmo during logging job.

Aug. 11: Janet Snelling, young aviatrix, has completed her flight training at Consolidated School of Aviation Inc. and will leave Cape Girardeau Thursday for few days visit with friends in Abilene, Kan., before reporting to Avenger Field, Sweetwater, Texas, for service in Ferry Command.

Aug. 23: Carl Pensel of Jackson submits low offer when bids are received by Cape Institute of Aeronautics on proposal to construct sewage disposal line from Harris Field to Little River Diversion Channel; line, to be of asbestos-covered pipe, will run from main sewage trap to drainage canal, taking sewage away from port to channel and eventually into Mississippi River

Aug. 27: August issue of the Fledgling, monthly magazine published by cadets at Harris Field, pictures mascot Elmo, spotted dog in flying gear, with the class.

Aug. 31: New class of Army Air Force aviation cadets arrive for flight training at Harris Field; shortly after their arrival, graduating class, 44-A, leaves for southern basic flying school to begin basic flight training.

Sept. 16: Maj. Gen Thomas Hanley, commanding general of Eastern Flying Training Command, pays official visit to Harris Field, highest ranking Army officer yet to visit field; Hanley conducts 1 1/2-hour inspection of every building and installation at field.

Sept. 25: Two women ferry command pilots land their planes at Harris for refueling.

Sept. 28: Harris Field holds its Third War Loan rally with program given on field's quadrangle before crowd of several hundred people, made up of Army Air Force cadets, officers, enlisted men and civilian employees; this group signs pledges for war bond purchases totaling $12,000; in addition Cape Institute of Aeronautics Inc. civilian operator of field, purchases $70,000 in bonds during day.

Oct. 2: Markham & Brown Co., which has been awarded contract for some major improvements at Harris Field, will start construction work Monday; project includes rebuilding of plane parking ramp, enlargement of concrete drive for gasoline trucks, construction of new runway measuring 2,000 by 100 feet, paving of two short practice taxi strips, as well as additional areaway in front of hangars.

Oct. 7: Cadet Richard W. Cross, 19, is virtually unhurt when he falls from Harris Field training plane while doing "elementary eights" over Southern Illinois; Cross is saved by his parachute, landing in field near Highway 3, south of McClure.

Oct. 7: New, $25,000 building program at Consolidated School of Aviation Inc. on Highway 74 is virtually completed; new buildings replace one which was destroyed by fire last winter, blaze which virtually wiped out airport's equipment; four buildings were constructed in new program.

Oct. 8: Army Air Medal, awarded Sgt. Lawrence E. Davis, missing in action, is presented his father, Arthur E. Davis, in ceremony at Harris.

Oct. 23: Aviation Cadet William Stanley Barley, 19, of Butler, Pa., is instantly killed when his Harris Field Army training plane crashes less than 100 yards from dwelling on Earl Eudy farm, five miles south of Wolf Lake, Ill.; plane bursts into flames instant after it plunges to earth and is destroyed.

Oct. 27: That migrating wild geese and ducks and Army airplanes just won't mix without disastrous results has been made the basis of special flight orders issued at Harris Field; planes operated either by flight instructors or cadets must now stay clear of Horseshoe Lake game preserve just across Mississippi River in Illinois and avoid migrating wild fowl.

Nov. 10: Consolidated School of Aviation has asked school board for use of Broadway School building, now vacant, as dormitory for youths enrolled in Navy's V-5 air primary training program; tentative arrangements have been made to feed and house Navy flying cadets at Viaduct Courts on Highway 74.

Nov. 13: Fifty 17-year-old youths are given peek at Harris Field into business of Army Air Forces; boys and their parents, about 90 people in all, are special guests at field as feature of observance of Aviation Cadet Week; youths thrill to demonstration of flying skills under direction of Capt. Clark Simonds, field's commanding officer.

Nov. 20: Construction of runways, additional taxiways and aprons at Harris Field is about 80 percent completed, according to contractor, Markham & Brown; two to three more weeks will be required to complete work.

Nov. 23: Army air cadets at Harris Field and sailors of naval training unit V-12 at State College will have 55 turkeys for their Thanksgiving feast.

Dec. 18: Army Air Forces cadets at Harris Field will spend Christmas Day in skies; because of recent inclement weather, field is considerably behind on its flight training schedule and every usable hour must be used to make up this time; because of this, no leaves are being issued for Christmas.

Dec. 31: The Southeast Missourian publishes its annual Achievement Edition; prominently featured are Harris Field and Teachers College's Navy V-12 unit.

1944

Jan. 4: Howard Trunnell, veteran Cape Girardeau aviator, who recently returned from England, where he has been pilot for Royal Air Force Ferry Command, believes Cape Girardeau should make every effort to acquire Harris Field at close of war and make it municipal airport.

Jan. 9: His Army training plane crashing as he comes in for landing on north-south runway at Harris Field, Aviation Cadet Edward A. Tagliaferri, 20, of Flushing, N.Y., sustains compound fracture of right leg; plane is demolished.

Jan. 15: Portion of Class 44-E of Army Air Forces at Harris Field leaves to go on to basic flying school and remainder of class will depart Sunday; new class of cadets, Class 44-6, is scheduled to arrive soon. First Lt. Robert L. Harrington, 30, arrives at Harris Field to become commandant of cadets for 73rd Army Air Forces Flying Training Detachment; he is accompanied by his wife and will reside at 1115 S. Sprigg; both are lawyers and were active in their profession before Harrington entered service.

Jan. 25: Official notice is given that Army Air Forces primary flight training at Harris Field will be suspended. About $125,000 per month payroll for 13 months; has trained 2,500 fliers; erected 40 buildings on 57 acres and had leases on 620 acres.

Feb. 1: Cape Girardeau civic leaders turn their attention to necessity of securing site of Harris Field to guarantee community and immediate district adequate post-war airport facilities; this follows word over weekend that Army Air Forces will vacate field in March.

Feb. 3: Telegram received by Mayor R.E. Beckman from Defense Plant Corp. shows that federal government has not decided what it is going to do with Harris Field and other sites of primary flying schools used by Army Air Forces; title to 57-acre tract on which local port is located is held by Defense Plant Corp., government agency created to build wartime installations for government.

Feb. 5: Decorations for Maj. Robert L. Faurot, missing flier, are formally presented to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. F.W. Faurot of Cape Girardeau, in ceremony at Harris Field.

Feb. 8: Following conference between members of city council and group of representative businessmen, Mayor R.E. Beckman forward to Defense Plan Corp. in Washington a proposal that city be permitted to lease Harris Field for remainder of calendar year 1944 after present Army Air Forces pilot training is curtailed in March.

Feb. 11: Graduating class, the 12th, one of the largest, prepares to leave Harris Field. Next class will complete training around March 15, after which the field will be suspended.

Feb. 16: Army air troupe, WACaravan, of 30 people, including 12-piece band, presents free show at State College auditorium.

Feb. 19: Air Medal is presented to the family of Lt. Weldon H. Propst, Cape Girardeau flier, missing in bombing raid last summer. Ceremony at Harris Field.

Feb. 22: Government has turned down, at least for present, suggestion by city of Cape Girardeau that Harris Field be turned over to city for period of one year, ending Dec. 31, 1944; field is scheduled to cease Army Air Forces training of pilots in March, and city had proposed that field and buildings be leased for $1 for remainder of year to city.

March 6: Army flying training at Harris Field will not be suspended until around March 24, 10 days past date previously announced for curtailment of operations here.

March 13: One of Army Air Forces' big Flying Fortresses, B-17F, lands shortly before noon at Harris Field, first for one of giant four-motor bombers to land here; plane came from Great Bend, Kansas, to get Maj. Clifford Warden, who is stationed there, but who came to Cape Girardeau Sunday to visit his brother, Capt. Charles Warden, who is stationed at Harris Field.

March 16: Army Air Forces flight training at Harris Field is completed; last of cadets of class to graduate from field finished their training in late afternoon and class is now awaiting orders to proceed to basic flying school; during 14 1/2 months field has been in operation, approximately 2,500 young Army pilots have learned to fly there.

March 27: Personnel at Harris Field have been reduced to Army Air Forces staff and few of field's civilian guards; Maj. Clark Simonds, commanding officer, says no official orders for transfer of remainder of staff have been received.

May 9: Flooding Mississippi River drops to stage of 39.28 feet here; in Illinois remainder of Illinois Reserve Militia and federal troops guarding levees are recalled from flood duty; troops had been quartered at Harris Field since break in Aldridge levee week ago.

June 8: Harley C. Cox, formerly of Cape Girardeau, is killed in plane crash in Colorado. Funeral here.

Oct. 21: Harris Field is certified as official sales center for military aircraft to civilian buyers and 15 Navy-built planes at the field are placed on official bid list; altogether 709 planes are now in storage at field.

Nov. 18: There has been steady daily arrival of military aircraft at Harris Field all this week for storage, including larger ships, twin-engine advanced trainer and moderate cargo carrying types; thus far, there are about 60 of larger ships here; there is total of 969 planes on field, and recent, unfavorable flying weather probably prevented number from going over 1,000 mark.

Dec. 13: Army transport plane from Malden airfield crashes in Bollinger County, killing four airmen.

1945

Feb. 16: First glider assigned for storage at Harris Field arrives; towed by one of Army's huge C-46 transports, glider is a Horsa type; there are now nearly 1,200 military planes of many types on field; so far 40 planes have been sold to civilians, these being mostly small craft of observation type.

April 23: Those in market to buy airplane need only go down to Harris Field, pick out ship, pay for it and fly it away; Defense Plant Corp. has, up to today, sold 147 airplanes at Harries Field; several of purchasers are from Southeast Missouri and many from over this state and others, including residents of Southern Illinois communities, have bought planes.

May 9: With airplanes being disposed of almost daily, Harris Field officials report that 167 have thus far been sold at port to civilians for total of $258,864.43; field, in addition to being one of largest sales centers established by government, also supplies planes for sales centers at four other fields; 71 people are employed at field to put planes in condition, keep buildings and field in shape, and do countless other duties there.

Oct. 3: Cited recently by Civil Aeronautics Authority official from Kansas City as possible site for relocation of communication and weather station now at Advance, Cape Girardeau, lacking municipal airport, may lose out unless means are taken to secure one; Dexter is also being considered for station.

Oct. 19: Airplane sales at Harris Field have been considerably stepped up, field officials report; since Oct. 1, 34 planes have been sold at field, bringing total of planes sold there to around 300; field manager Jackson Hunter reports that new, reduced prices on planes are also in effect; if person or firm purchases three or more ships, discount of 20 percent on total purchase price is given.

Oct. 26: Squadron of search planes from Dale Mabry Field, Fla., using Harris Field as base, starts searching from air for missing Navy plane that left Chicago Monday en route to Memphis, Tenn.; eight planes arrived at Harris Field late yesterday to join in search.

Nov. 3: Rescue squadron of Navy planes, based at Harris Field since Oct. 26 while searching for Navy basic training plane which disappeared Oct. 22 on flight from Chicago to Memphis, returns to Dale Mabry Field, Fla.; squadron, under command of Lt. Quentin Reynolds patrolled 100-square-mile area south of here every day but found no trace of missing aircraft.

Nov. 17: Mayor R.E. Beckman, in letter from Charles G. Alexander, acting manager of Reconstruction Finance Corp. office in St. Louis, is told government would lease Harris Field and all its facilities to city for $50 per month; letter makes no mention of any basis on which city might be able to purchase airport.

Dec. 5: Taking its first definite step to acquire adequate airport facilities and assure perpetuation of Harris Field, city council authorizes Mayor R. E. Beckman to contract with Reconstruction Finance Corp. for month-to-month rental of certain facilities at port at $50 per month.

1946

Jan. 4: When his plane crashes after striking 30-foot high 30,000-volt power line at northeast corner of Harris Field in morning, A.L. Miglin, 21, of Westlake Ill., the pilot, miraculously escapes with only minor cut on chin and bump on forehead; his plane is demolished.

Jan. 28: Government approval has been given for use of barracks buildings at Harris Field to house war veterans who desire to attend State College, but details of contract are still to be worked out; buildings which college plan to use, including 12 barracks, would house 168 single men and about 31 families.

Feb. 19: Recommendation that Cape Girardeau be equipped with Class 2 airport and approval of Harris Field as site for this port is contained in letter received by Mayor R.E. Beckman from Paul V. Roberts, district engineer for Civil Aeronautics Administration, Kansas City.

Feb. 25: Small crew of workmen is at Harris Field getting buildings in shape for occupancy by married veterans who plan to attend next term at State College; two partitions are being installed in each of barracks buildings and interior of ground school and hospital buildings are being arranged to take care of student families; sinks are also being installed.

March 3: Carl Bushard, war veteran from Chaffee, is first to move into barracks apartment at Harris Field with his family; Bushard, former State College student, plans to enroll Monday for spring term; veteran, his wife and their small daughter are occupying apartment in former hospital building.

March 6: Representatives of commercial aviation interests from scattered points of United States and Canal Zone are in Cape Girardeau to purchase government surplus airplanes at Harris Field; most of group plan to remain for anticipated price adjustment on ships; while here, some of fliers are putting in time at controls of Cape Girardeau Flying Service planes, building up their time and meeting additional requirements; most of men who are here for planes are veterans of Army or Navy air services and are staying in aviation as civilian occupation.

March 15: Fifty-one airplanes are sold at Harris Field to representatives of aviation industry from 12 states and Panama Canal Zone; big sale is occasioned by radical reduction by government in prices on war surplus aircraft, about 600 of which are still at field.

March 23: Largest sale of government war surplus planes at Harris Field to one person or firm takes place when Capt. W. Arnett Speer, owner of Speer Flying Service at San Diego, Calif., purchases 31 PT-23 ships, Army primary trainers; Speer came here early in week and, after checking over hundreds of planes at big field, selects his group.

April 8: Aviation enthusiasts, and those who make their living in sky, from all over nation have purchased 135 airplanes from war surplus stock of military ships at Harris Field in past six weeks; every day many people call at field to look at planes; shops are kept busy putting planes in flyable condition; most of those purchased are PT-23, low-wing Fairchild trainer, but a few of advanced Army trainers, UC-78s, or twin-engine Cessna low-wing cabin ships, have been purchased.

April 26: Two airplanes are virtually demolished and two others are damaged at noon, when one of ships, PT-23 (Fairchild) Army type primary training ship, piloted by F.W. Ryan of San Diego, Calif., crashes at takeoff into line of planes parked on east side of north-south runway at Harris Field; Ryan is uninjured in mishap.

April 28: Hundreds of spectators get one of those aerial super-thrills this morning, when Lt. H.E. King of March Field, Calif., takes off in his P-80 jet-propelled fighter plane, fastest thing on wings, from U.S. 61 along Harris Field; plane landed here last Friday along with similar ship, the latter ship being damaged when it ran off runway at Harris Field; field police barricade pavement to halt traffic on U.S. 61 between north end of airport and Ancell to enable plane to use road for runway.

May 6: Cape Girardeau City Council discusses, but doesn't act upon, a proposal to secure Harris Field for a municipal airport.

June 13: With appointments to become effective today, city council formally selects five-man Cape Girardeau Airport Board which will have final authority in ultimate securing and management of municipal airport; those appointed and length of terms are H.I. Himmelberger, six years; A.W. Zimmer Jr., four years; C.A. Juden, four years; Rush H. Limbaugh Jr., two years, and Frank A. Lowry, two years.

June 30: Two fliers are tragically killed during afternoon motorboat regatta and air show here, when their Piper Club airplane crashes into Mississippi River near Illinois shore, about one-half mile north of traffic bridge, and opposite Broadway; killed in crash are pilot Charles J. Petersdorf, 22, of Cape Girardeau, and his 14-year-old brother-in-law, Henry W. Becker of University City; plane, one of several participating in aerial show over river, executes simple half-spin and then levels off at between 300 and 500 feet altitude, but suddenly noses over and plunges into river; hundreds of persons on riverfront witness tragedy.

July 1: Unexpected development bobs up in American Legion's Fourth of July picnic plans when Arnold Roth, publicity chairman, learns that Harris Field, used by Army for training purposes during war and suitable for heavy military traffic at that time, is no longer approved by Army for landing of its planes except in emergencies; point comes up when Brig. Gen. Howard L. Peckham, who will deliver principal address at picnic, had originally planned to fly here for observance; Roth, however, has been informed that field can't be used for military planes and plans are being made to meet Peckham, probably in St. Louis, and bring him here.

July 16: Harris Field, Cape Girardeau's wartime Army Air Forces pilot training center, has been declared government surplus property, and as such, will be available to community as municipal airport if city desires to take advantage of opportunity to acquire it.

July 19: Recommendation by Civil Aeronautics Administration that Cape Girardeau needs airport remains as virtually the only hurdle to be cleared before city can acquire ownership of Harris Field; C.A. Juden, chairman of airport board, and Rush H. Limbaugh Jr., board's secretary, went to St. Louis yesterday to confer with officials of War Assets Administration, subsidiary agency of Reconstruction Finance Corp. charged with disposal of government surplus property.

July 23: War surplus aircraft unit at Harris Field will be definitely closed out Aug. 15, Jack Hunter, contracting agent in charge of unit, is informed by officials of War Assets Administration, in charge of disposal of surplus government property; surplus planes, less than 90 in number, still in flyable condition will be ferried to Jackson, Tenn., and those which can't be flown will be disposed of at low price for salvage.

Aug. 5: After wild, two-hour sky ride, 21 passengers and three crew members of Eastern Airlines airplane, en route from Miami, Fla., to St. Louis, find haven at Harris Field in the evening, just as widespread heavy storm breaks over this area; big ship, DC-3, took off at noon for St. Louis after awaiting better weather; just out of Evansville, plane's last stop before terminating flight at St. Louis, ship encounters huge storm wall; plane left Evansville at 5:05 p.m. and finally lands here safely at 6:50 after covering hundreds of miles trying to find opening in clouds.

Aug. 11: Shirley Hawkins of Chaffee, student flier at Consolidated School of Aviation Inc. escapes injury when Piper Club airplane he is flying strikes Missouri Utilities Co. 33,000-volt power circuit on Highway 55 at outskirts of Chaffee; pilot manages to land plane in pasture about 50 yards away, but ship is destroyed by fire; crash severs power line and temporarily disrupts electric service in Chaffee, Oran, Morley and Dutchtown.

Aug. 13: New diagonal runway, 3,600 feet long, forming triangle with east-west and north-south runways, is being constructed at Consolidated School of Aviation, giving three-way landing surface for planes using field; strip, longest of the three, has been graded and grass is to be sown soon; it will then be rolled; W.J. Kies Jr., manager of airport, says that planes won't use new surface until grass has had opportunity to grow.

Aug. 31: State College is given authority to take over administration and link trainer buildings at Harris Field to provide housing accommodations for student war veterans and their families; already in use at field are barracks buildings; from 12 to 15 families can be accommodated in the two buildings, in which temporary partitions will be installed and ice boxes and kitchen sinks placed; there are 34 families of student veterans already living at Harris Field in improvised quarters.

Sept. 9: County special election for airport near Dutchtown for bond issue of $85,000 fails; Federal WPA was to have provided $194,000; two-thirds majority required. Entire county vote: For 2,512, against 1,677. Cape (city) votes 13 to 1 for; Jackson votes 233 for, 344 against.

Sept. 29: Their airplane striking tree at Scivally Park late in afternoon during picnic of college age men and women, two State College students, J.W. Gerhardt Jr. of Cape Girardeau and Warren N. Ware Jr. of Lake Bluff, Ill., formerly of Cape Girardeau, are killed instantly when ship goes on to crash 125 feet away; both men had been attending outing at park on Cape Rock Drive and decided to secure airplane and fly over park.

Dec. 26: Official notice of availability of Harris Field is given by War Assets Administration through publication in The Missourian of conditions under which field may be secured for public airport purposes; notice sets out that acquisition of property is subject to priorities with agencies of federal government having first call and state and local governments second rights; however, both federal and state governments and, it is understood, Scott County, in which field is located, have waived rights to acquire field; this leaves Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport Board as only agency seeking airport property.

1947

Jan. 11: It is believed that airplane, which hit submerged object in Mississippi River near Thebes bridge yesterday during maneuvers, may be floating downstream beneath surface of water; Horace Dalton, shop foreman at Consolidated School of Aviation, and workers of Erlbacher Equipment Co. investigate site and say efforts to secure hold on plane are nearly impossible.

Jan. 31: Instructions to prepare deed for transfer of Harris Field to city of Cape Girardeau have been given by War Assets Administration to its regional office in St. Louis, the latter has informed Cape Girardeau Airport Board; deed will be delivered when city meets certain requirements, chief of which is acquisition of 220 acres of land to provide facilities for improvement and expansion of runways; looking toward future development of airport, board will shortly propose to city council bond issue with which to obtain funds to meet Civil Aeronautics Administration requirements to make field Class 3 airport; cost of land and improvements will run estimated $115,000.

Feb. 3: City council orders special election at which Cape Girardeau will vote on three propositions: $115,000 bond issue for improvements and purchase of land at Harris Field; extension of city limits, and referendum on three-cent playground tax.

Feb. 6: Given approval by War Assets Administration office in St. Louis for use of one of hangars at Harris Field as location for Naval Reserve Division Armory, Cape Girardeau Airport Board, providing approval is given to issuance of $115,000 in bonds for improvements and land purchase, sees through this and other means the way to make airfield pay its own way; that Navy will locate reserve unit here is practically certain; because of budget slashes, it will be impossible for Navy to build armory on proposed Chamber of Commerce site south of Cape Rock and has asked for use of hangar at airstrip.

March 13: Cape Girardeau's municipal airport bond election, set for March 25, is postponed when City Attorney R.P. Smith learned that legal technicality -- failure to advertise notice of registration -- would void issue.

March 17: Burglary attempt at Consolidated School of Aviation on Highway 74 proved fruitless this weekend, burglar or burglars failing to get safe open; attempt was discovered early Sunday; safe knob was badly hammered, but hadn't been removed; entrance was through window of building, and nothing was stolen by hoodlums.

April 14: Contract is signed by Cape Girardeau Airport Board with Consolidated School of Aviation Inc. for operation of Harris Field when, and if, field is acquired by city as municipal airport; contract, subject to approval of Civil Aeronautics Administration, calls for rental of $4,800 per year to be paid the city by Consolidated; in its contract with board, Consolidated also agrees to maintain airport, such as grounds, runways and interiors of such buildings as it will use; aviation firm will secure use of two of four hangars, flight control building and garage, and will operate and maintain the two crash trucks and firetruck at field.

April 22: Cape Girardeau voters give overwhelming approval to two special election propositions, authorizing issuance of $115,000 in bonds for development of Harris Field as municipal airport and endorsing extension of city limits to include approximate three square acres more territory; by approving bond issue, voters gave city, through its municipal airport board, authority to purchase additional land and make improvements at Harris Field suggested by Civil Aeronautics Administration to bring it to Class 3 airport requirements.

April 27: Big crowd, taking advantage of perfect weather and yen for a thrill, converges on Harris Field area, completely blocking traffic for miles on U.S. 61 and jamming airfield to witness hour of thrilling battle maneuvers staged by Navy and Marine Corps pilots from Naval Air Station at Lambert Field; police and city officials estimate crowd at over 10,000; event, sort of celebration marking successful passage last Tuesday of bond issue, permitting city to acquire and develop former Army air base as municipal airport, draws largest crowd every congregated in that area.

April 28: Airport plans approved; $94,198 government grant accepted by city.

May 2: Interim certificate from War Assets Administration giving Cape Girardeau Airport Board authority to operate Harris Field until such time as port can be formally transferred by government to city is accepted by board.

May 7: Formal request has been made by Cape Girardeau Airport Board to Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C., for establishment of Naval Reserve Flying Unit at Harris Field; such unit would be combat aircraft one, using same type of ships now based at Naval Air Station, Lambert Field, a port to be abandoned by Navy.

May 16: Consolidated School of Aviation moves from its Highway 74 location to Harris Field. (Potashnick Construction Co., later located on the Highway 74 site.)

May 16: Cape Girardeau's successful effort to secure Harris Field as municipal airport begins to pay off materially; by action of War Assets Administration, city receives as gift equipment at field valued at approximately $25,000, and application is formally made for other equipment which remained there following deactivation of field as Army air base; equipment given city includes tractor, 500-gallon pumper firetruck, 1 1/2-ton pickup truck, air compressor, six oil drip basins, control tower horn, two lawn mowers, two-wheel trailer, four oil heaters, exhaust fan, two large tractor field mowers, 200 fire extinguishers, two desks, four chairs and a four-drawer steel filing cabinet.

June 20: Community efforts in behalf of Naval Reserve program since project was first advanced more than year ago results in announcement of approval of $40,000 remodeling program for training center at Harris Field, filling of all but five of compliment of men in 129th Naval Reserve Division, authorization of electronics warfare company of 50 enlisted men and five officers, and possibility of formation of another division of 200 men and 10 officers.

July 24: Of recently voted airport bond issue of $115,000, city formally issues $35,000 and through airport board will immediately buy remaining land needed for airport development; bonds are accepted by First National Bank, which will handle the issue in behalf of that bank, Farmers & Merchants Bank and Bank of Morehouse at Morehouse; in combination, the three banks had bid in issue; other bonds will be held and won't technically be sold until such time as funds are needed.

July 26: Moving toward rapid development of Harris Field as municipal airport, Cape Girardeau Airport Board purchases 259.65 acres, giving checks to landowners aggregating $41,031.55 and receiving deeds to property, which are recorded at Benton; officials of board expect to go to Kansas City early this week to submit proof of land purchase and ask for final approval by Civil Aeronautics Administration of government allocation to community on land purchase and to assist in paying cost of improvements.

Aug. 12: The Cape Girardeau Airport Board, assuming belligerent attitude at city hall meeting, decides to send delegation to Washington, D.C., to find out why Civil Aeronautics Administration has not come across with promised funds for assistance in purchasing additional land and making improvements such as lengthening runways.

Aug. 29: Deed from government for central tract at Harris Field comes to city, and community now owns entire field, including buildings and other improvements.

Oct. 6: In step to take Harris Field electrical distribution system from setup under which it operated while controlled by Army, Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport Board decides to turn it over to Missouri Utilities Co.; secretary Rush H. Limbaugh Jr. explains that as situation stands, with city owning system, it is responsible for complete maintenance.

Oct. 9: Former Consolidated School of Aviation field on Highway 74 has been purchased by R.B. Potashnick interests for use as storage place for heavy construction equipment; tract of land on which buildings stand and which was sold front on highway distance of about 1,500 feet with depth of about 300 feet; tract includes four buildings -- hangar, paint shop, administration building and maintenance shop.

Dec. 19: Civil Aeronautics Board has approved three-year certificate for Parks Airport Transport, Inc., to operate feeder service between St. Louis and East St. Louis Ill., and between Kansas City, Mo., and Tulsa, Okla.; routes proposed by Parks will provide two-fold service -- local air transportation to nearby points, and feeder carrier operations to metropolitan centers where connections may be made with major airlines for long distance points; local-feeder route operating to Harris Field would start at St. Louis; first stop would be East St. Louis, then Cape Girardeau, Cairo, Ill., Sikeston, Poplar Bluff, Blytheville, Ark., Jackson, Tenn., and Memphis.