One afternoon about four o'clock I had a forced landing
near Du Boise, PA due to a heavy snow storm in that section of the mountains.
The only open space I could find was a small cultivated field on the side of a
very steep hill.
After landing and looking around, it was quite apparent that there were no houses near, so, after draining the water out of the radiator, I walked down a small valley for about two miles and finally located a house in a clump of trees. I was dressed in the usual winter, fur-lined flying suit, fleece boots and a fur helmet and fur mittens, and of course by the time I reached the house I was covered with snow. When I knocked, a woman opened the door, took one look, gave a little scream, jumped back and took on a color she will probably never have again this side of the grave.I requested that she allow me to use the phone so that I might call the air mail field at Cleveland, give my location and tell them that I would not be in until the following morning. By the time I had finished phoning, the lady had regained her composure. She said, "I think I had better explain why I acted like I did when I saw you at the door. I just read in the Altoona morning paper about a gorilla escaping from a circus there."e |