Harry E. Simon Died 1920

SIMON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/5/2018 at 08:43:02

Sioux City Journal
31 March 1920

Two Fliers Killed on Local Field
Harry Simon and Arthur L. Peterson Are Victims
Latter Was Young Student
Machine Enters Tail Spin And One Man Is Killed Instantly and Other Dies a Short Time After Being Taken to a Hospital

Harry E. Simon Died 1920

Harry E. Simon, 26 year old, 1507 Riverside Avenue, an instructor of the Sioux City Flying club, and Arthur L. Peterson, 22 year old, of Vyborg, South Dakota, a student flier, were killed late yesterday afternoon when the plane in which they were flying went into a tail spin and fell about 300 feet, digging into the ground. Peterson riding in the passenger’s seat was killed instantly, Simon who was unconscious when witnesses arrived on the scene, was removed to St. Joseph’s Hospital, where he died shortly before 8 o’clock without having regained consciousness.

The cause of the accident is unknown. It is thought that as the machine neared the ground during the course of its flight Peterson became frightened and grabbed the control. Under this theory, S.L. Willits, manager of the flying club, who witnessed the accident, advanced the opinion that the machine was too close to the ground to permit Pilot Simon to correct the error.

The machine struck the ground in the northeast corner of the field and about 150 yards from where Raymond Callander was killed in a similar accident last fall.

The passenger’s seat is situated in front of the pilot’s seat and directly behind the motor and propeller. The machine fell almost perpendicular and buried its nose almost completely into the ground. The plane was completely demolished.

Peterson Killed Instantly

Peterson was dead when persons on the field reached the wrecked plane. He suffered a fractured skull and a broken arm and shoulder. Simon was unstrapped from his seat and was removed to the hospital in Dickinson’s ambulance. His death resulted from concussion of the brain.

According to witnesses, the plane had been in the air only four or five minutes when the accident occurred. The fliers had made a good start and had cruised around the field when the machine was seen to fall suddenly. It is thought that Pilot Simon was preparing for a landing. Persons on the ground were unable to see the pilot as the machine crashed to the ground.

. Simon Possibly Forgetful

Cedric Hoskins, an official of the flying club, last night asserted that the difference in the style of instruction in the army and in the private school probably had caused Simon to forget that Peterson was unable to handle the machine. He said that the plane had controls in both the passenger’s seat and the piulot’s seat, and that in the army the student was so well informed before he was permitted to leave the ground in a machine that he was able to guide the plane himself, but under the supervision of an instructor in the pilot’s seat. It is thought that perhaps Simon mechanically released his hold on the control, expecting the student to guide the plane.

Simon served two years in the army air service and was credited with 400 hours flying. He was assigned to patrol work along the Mexican border and received his discharge from the service last September. He had been in Sioux City since the 1st of January. Simon’s record during his service in the army is said to be commendable. He is credited with having never had an accident of even the slightest nature. His home was in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Peterson had been at the flying field for about a week.

Simon’s body was removed to Dickinson’s undertaking establishment and Peterson’s body was taken to Samuels Bros. undertaking parlors.