by Corey Mead
“I thought you had prohibition”: Ibid., 47.
The women in the room: Spicer 2017, 89.
In August 1928: McDonald. “Henry Lyon Jr.”
“Quite an experience to eat”: Barker 1969, 48.
“a dead loss”: Spicer 2017, 90.
Twenty-five hundred miles away: Barker 1969, 50.
When she arrived in Manhattan: “Alcohol in Airman’s Compass.” 1929. The Manchester Guardian, January 2.
Lancaster and Elinor Smith’s return: “Missing Flyers Safe.” 1929. The Manchester Guardian, January 11.
Lancaster, however: Barker 1969, 52.
6 FLYING SOLO
With Kiki back in England: Barker 1969, 52.
“I have been thoroughly”: Spicer 2017, 93.
By March 1929, American Cirrus: Barker 1969, 52.
But disaster struck as Lancaster: Spicer 2017, 95.
For Jessie, opportunity: Jessen 2002.
pilot Marvel Crosson: “Woman Flyer Killed.” 1929. The Manchester Guardian, August 21.
Jessie roomed in Phoenix: Spicer 2017, 107.
Accidents continued to plague: Jessen 2002.
Following her Derby performance: Barker 1969, 55.
7 A CHANGE IN FORTUNE
The effects of the crash: Barker 1969, 57.
Their situation was further: Spicer 2017, 132.
Finally, at a cocktail party: Barker 1969, 57.
“We’ll get everything organized”: Ibid., 58.
“What’s the matter with you?”: Ibid.
“You fly as well as”: Ibid.
“Frankly,” she admitted later: Spicer 2017, 139.
The celebrated Brooklyn-born aviatrix: Barker 1969, 60.
“un-airworthy crate”: “Woman Flyer’s Fate Is Still Held in Doubt.” 1930. The Baltimore Sun, November 30.
“Everybody gives me credit”: Knoblaugh, Homer. 1930. “Missing Woman Flyer Had Premonition of Tragedy.” The Free Lance-Star (Fredericksburg), November 29.
“I don’t know why it is”: “Woman Flyer’s Fate Is Still Held in Doubt.”
“I am very anxious”: “Mother Hopeful Missing Flyer Is Safe Somewhere.” 1930. The Baltimore Sun, November 29.
“It is possible she was”: “Woman Flyer’s Fate Is Still Held in Doubt.”
“I thought it was all over”: Keith-Miller, Jessie. 1930. “Mrs. Keith-Miller Tells Own Story of Air Adventure.” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 3.
She hadn’t been there long: Spicer 2017, 149.
“I am at Nassau”: “Mrs. Keith-Miller Is Safe: Lands on Island in Storm.” 1930. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Decemeber 2.
As she took off: Barker 1969, 66.
8 TO MIAMI
Lancaster headed to Los Angeles: Spicer 2017, 157.
“America gave me an opportunity”: Ibid., 154.
Her most memorable incident: “Big Hotel Fire.” 1931. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 31.
While she had been crisscrossing: Spicer 2017, 157.
“I spent days discussing”: Ibid.
The ruddy-cheeked, pudgy Shelton: Davis-Monthan Aviation Field Register. “William Gentry Shelton, Jr.” http://dmairfield.com/people/shelton_wg/.
One night, when Lancaster: Spicer 2017, 157.
“perfect house dog”: Lancaster’s personal diary was reprinted in full in the Miami Daily News, August 5, 1932, the source for all his quotes in this chapter. According to the newspaper, the diary was read into the record in its entirety in Lancaster’s subsequent trial in an effort to establish a love triangle as a motive. However, it also worked to Lancaster’s advantage in making him a very sympathetic defendant.
“would ride out the Depression”: “Mrs. Keith-Miller Continues Her Story.” 1932. Daily Express, Oct. 28.
It was, rather astonishingly: Barker 1969, 68.
With the romance gone: My profound gratitude to Chrystopher J. Spicer for his insights, via e-mail to me, on this and other crucial aspects of Jessie and Lancaster’s relationship.
“The windows were framed”: “Mrs. Keith-Miller Continues Her Story.” 1932. Daily Express, October 28.
Only a single business contact: Spicer 2017, 158.
“I was able to lock myself”: Ibid., 159.
“I was cooling off”: Ibid., 160.
9 FUTURE UNKNOWN
“We want you to fly”: Barker 1969, 73.
“dazed” at the conversation: Lancaster’s personal diary was reprinted in full in the Miami Daily News, August 5, 1932, the source for all his quotes (and related information) in this chapter.
“Captain Lancaster and Mrs. J. M. Keith-Miller”: Barker 1969, 73.
Afterward she had fallen into: Spicer 2017, 160–61.
“I was pretty acid”: Spicer 2017.
10 MENTAL AGONY
“keep sober and write”: Lancaster’s letters and telegrams, like his diary, were reprinted in the Miami Daily News and The Miami Herald, August 1932, the sources for all his quotes in this chapter.
“The risk involved is entirely”: Grateful acknowledgment is made to Andrew Lancaster and Noni Couell for transcripts of Clarke’s letters.
“I can raise funds”: Barker 1969, 93.
11 EAGER, DRUNKEN LOVE
He argued in his claim: “Taken as Favor.” 1931. The Mail (Australia), June 27.
“I am afraid that”: Spicer 2017, 156.
“We were such good friends”: Ibid.
“bored to sobs”: Lancaster’s and Jessie’s letters and telegrams were reprinted in the Miami Daily News and The Miami Herald, August 1932, the sources for all quotes in this chapter, unless otherwise noted.
When Jessie went to investigate: Barker 1969, 91.
“What are you going”: Ibid.
“They used to call him”: Spicer 2017, 163.
12 THE TORTURES OF THE DAMNED
“Why!!” Lancaster wrote: Lancaster’s personal diary was reprinted in full in the Miami Daily News, August 5, 1932, the source for all quotes from it (and related information) in this chapter.
“On our way back east”: Lancaster’s letters and telegrams were reprinted in the Miami Daily News and The Miami Herald, August 1932, the sources for all quotes from them in this chapter.
13 A MAN OF MANY SECRETS
Jessie was genuinely stunned: Barker 1969, 99.
“The inconceivable has happened”: Jessie’s letters and telegrams were reprinted in the Miami Daily News and The Miami Herald, August 1932, the sources for all her quotes in this chapter.
“You doubtless have read”: Grateful acknowledgment is made to Andrew Lancaster and Noni Couell for the transcript of Clarke’s letter.
“behave like a schoolboy”: Lancaster’s personal diary was reprinted in full in the Miami Daily News, August 5, 1932, the source for all quotes from it (and related information) in this chapter.
“Am no dog in manger”: Lancaster’s telegram was reprinted in the Miami Daily News and The Miami Herald, August 1932.
14 A TERRIBLE THING
“Hello, darling, I’ve missed you”: Unless otherwise noted, all quotes in this chapter are from the Miami Daily News and The Miami Herald, August 2–18, 1932.
“I’m only going to ask one thing”: Barker 1969, 103–4.
15 FORGERIES
“That’s ridiculous,” Jessie said: Unless other wise noted, all quotes in this chapter are from the Miami Daily News and The Miami Herald, August 1932.
“We’d like to question you”: Barker 1969, 111.
gripped by “desperate thoughts”: Keith-Miller, Jessie. 1932. “I Appeal to You!” Daily Express, October 27.
“Say nothing whatever about it”: Barker 1969, 114.
In a metaphorical sense: My thanks to Chrystopher Spicer for sharing his thoughts with me regarding Jessie’s behavior.
16 THE SCARLET WOMAN
“I know I can convince”: Unless otherwise noted, all quotes in this chapter are from the Miami Daily News and The Miami Herald, April 23–May 10 and August 2–18, 193
2.
“Reasons why Haden Clarke”: Barker 1969, 118.
“I wouldn’t touch it”: Ibid., 119.
“because of those damn notes”: Ibid.
“Will everything have to”: Ibid., 120.
“I used to ask”: Andrew Lancaster 2014. The Lost Aviator.
“My Dearest Pat”: Ibid.; see also Barker 1969.
“Your letter of July 4th”: Barker 1969, 126–7.
“My love for Captain Lancaster”: “Australian Airwoman Speaks Out Before Murder Trial.” 1932. Miami Daily News, August 1.
17 THOSE DIM DAYS OF THE PAST . . .
“moral laxity”: Unless otherwise noted, all quotes in this chapter are from the Miami Daily News and The Miami Herald, August 2–18, 1932.
“Everybody was excessively friendly”: Spicer 2017, 183.
18 A TISSUE OF LIES
“Captain Lancaster,” he asked: All quotes in this chapter are from the Miami Daily News and The Miami Herald, August 2–18, 1932.
19 AMERICAN JUSTICE IS ALL WET
“Captain Lancaster,” Hawthorne began: All quotes in this chapter are from the Miami Daily News and The Miami Herald, August 1932.
20 THE MAN FROM AUBURN
“drastic action”: Unless otherwise noted, all quotes in this chapter are from the Miami Daily News and The Miami Herald, August 2–18, 1932.
“the public’s growing awe”: Evans 2002.
“When Dr. A. Conan Doyle”: Fisher, Jim. “Firearms Identification in the Sacco-Vanzetti Case.” http://jimfisher.edinboro.edu/forensics/sacco1_1.html.
“chemistry, microscopy, handwriting”: Ibid.
The fraudulence of Hamilton’s: Ibid.
In 1921 Hamilton received: Ibid.
21 THE VERDICT
“You men are reasonable men”: Unless otherwise noted, all quotes in this chapter are from the Miami Daily News and The Miami Herald, August 1932.
“I am delighted”: “Lancaster is Freed; Spectators Cheer.” 1932. The New York Times, August 18.
22 A TRAGIC FIGURE
“I have been hiding out”: “Mrs. Keith-Miller Sails for England.” 1932. The Baltimore Sun, October 15.
“I have not yet decided”: “Captain Lancaster Plans Long-Distance Flight.” 1932. The Baltimore Sun, October 25.
“I didn’t have the same”: Spicer 2017, 213.
Lancaster looked “absolutely haggard”: Ibid., 215.
“I am going ‘all out’ ”: “Three Long-Distance Flights.” 1933. The Manchester Guardian, April 11.
“had done no flying”: Barker 1969, 210.
“I have every confidence”: “Captain Lancaster in Cape Flight Bid.” 1933. Daily Mirror, April 12.
“We’ll give you twenty-four”: Barker 1969, 213.
Lancaster had planned to follow: Details of Lancaster’s crash are taken from his diary, which was reprinted in full in the Daily Express: “The Diary of Bill Lancaster: An Incredible Story of Courage.” 1962, October 22.
“I had a dreadful dream”: Spicer 2017, 217.
“It is not our wish”: “Airwoman to Hunt for Lost Friend.” 1933. Daily Express, April 17.
“Captain Lancaster’s father is now”: “Lancaster Missing 12 Days in Sahara.” 1933. The New York Times, April 25.
“I did not want him”: Barker 1969, 216.
23 THIS PERIOD OF AGONY
an “indeterminate carcass”: Brochard, Alain, and Michel Fernez. “A Butterfly in the Desert; Or the Tragic History of William Newton Lancaster.” 3rd Transport Group, April 2009. Translated from French: http://www.3emegroupedetransport.com/Unpapillondansledesert.htm.
“the cabin of a small”: Ibid.
“Now my water will give”: All details of Lancaster’s crash and subsequent time in the desert are taken from his diary, which was reprinted in full in the Daily Express: “The Diary of Bill Lancaster: An Incredible Story of Courage,” October 22, 1962.
EPILOGUE: THE PAST REACHES OUT
“no more flying stunts”: Spicer 2017, 229.
“most appalling shock”: Ibid., 233.
“Anyone who has the guts”: “The Diary of Bill Lancaster: An Incredible Story of Courage.” 1962. Daily Express, October 22.
“I had never forgotten”: Ibid.
INDEX
Adams, Mary, ref1
Adventure, ref1
Aerial Enterprises Incorporated, ref1, ref2
Aeroplane, ref1, ref2, ref3
Alexander, J. Don, ref1
Alexander Bullet, ref1
Amanullah Khan, King, ref1
American Aeronautical Society, ref1
American Banker, ref1
American Cirrus Engines Incorporated, ref1, ref2
Andros Island, ref1, ref2
Arabian Gulf, ref1
Armstrong, Lizzie, ref1
Army Air Corps, ref1
Army and Navy Club, ref1
Atkinson, Henry F., ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6, ref7, ref8, ref9, ref10, ref11, ref12, ref13, ref14, ref15, ref16, ref17
Australia, ref1
Darwin, ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6
Jessie’s early life in, ref1
Jessie’s lecture tour in, ref1, ref2
Author’s Club, ref1, ref2, ref3
aviation, ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6
danger in, ref1, ref2
Depression and, ref1, ref2
stunts in, ref1
women in, ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4
in World War I, ref1
Avro, ref1, ref2, ref3
Avro Avian, ref1, ref2, ref3
Red Rose, see Red Rose
Southern Cross Minor, ref1, ref2
Baghdad, ref1, ref2
Baillieu, Clive, ref1
Balbo, Italo, ref1
Baltimore Sun, ref1, ref2
Bangka Island, ref1
Barker, Ralph, ref1, ref2
Barnes, Pancho, ref1
Barrymore, Lionel, ref1
Basra, ref1
Bell, Lawrence, ref1, ref2
Benghazi, ref1
Beveridge, Charles, ref1
Beveridge, Eleanor, ref1, ref2
Beveridge, Ethelwyn, ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6
Beveridge, Thomas, ref1, ref2
Black Tuesday, ref1
Blue Comet, ref1
Bon, Keith, ref1
Booth, J. R., ref1
Borel, M., ref1, ref2
Boyer, A. Irving, ref1
Bright Young Things, ref1
Brisbane Courier, ref1
Brown, K. K., ref1
Brown, Peggy, ref1, ref2
Bullet monoplane, ref1
Burberry, ref1
Bureau of Records, ref1
Bushire, ref1, ref2
Byrd, Richard, ref1
Cairo, ref1
Calcutta, ref1, ref2
Capone, Al, ref1
Carson, James M., ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6, ref7, ref8, ref9, ref10, ref11, ref12, ref13, ref14, ref15, ref16
Cavill, Percy, ref1
Cirrus engines, ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5
Clarke, Beverley, ref1, ref2
Clarke, Charles Haden, ref1
autopsy of, ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6, ref7, ref8
death of, ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4
death as suicide, ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6, ref7, ref8, ref9, ref10, ref11, ref12, ref13, ref14, ref15, ref16
funeral for, ref1
gun in death of, ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6, ref7, ref8, ref9, ref10, ref11, ref12, ref13
as Jessie’s collaborator in writing her autobiography, ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6, ref7, ref8, ref9
Jessie’s marriage plans with, ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6, ref7
Jessie’s meeting of, ref1
Jessie’s romantic relationship with, ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6, ref7, ref8, ref9, ref10, ref11, ref12
Lancaster’s arrest for murder of, ref1
Lancaster’s correspondence
with, ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4
Lancaster’s forging of suicide notes for, ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6, ref7, ref8, ref9, ref10, ref11, ref12
Lancaster’s friendship with, ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4
Lancaster’s promise of wedding gift to Jessie and, ref1, ref2
Lancaster’s return and, ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6, ref7
Lancaster’s testimony on, ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4
Lancaster’s trip and, ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6, ref7, ref8
Lavendar’s testimony on, ref1
residence in Jessie and Lancaster’s home, ref1, ref2
Richardson’s testimony on, ref1
skull of, ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4
syphilis of, ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6, ref7, ref8, ref9
trial for murder of, ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6, ref7, ref8, ref9, ref10
wife of, ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5
Clarke, Ida, ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6, ref7, ref8, ref9, ref10, ref11, ref12
Conan Doyle, Arthur, ref1, ref2
Crosson, Marvel, ref1, ref2
Cuba, ref1
Jessie’s flight to, ref1, ref2
Cunningham-Hall Aircraft Corporation, ref1, ref2
Curtiss, Glenn, ref1
Curtiss Robin monoplane, ref1, ref2
Dade County Courthouse, ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4
Dade County Grand Jury, ref1
Daily Express, ref1, ref2, ref3
Darwin, Australia, ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6
Deederer, Carleton, ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6, ref7
de Laroche, Raymonde, ref1
Depression, Great, ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6, ref7, ref8, ref9
Detroit Times, ref1
Ditsler, Charles, ref1, ref2, ref3
Dodge, Percy, ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4
Doolittle, Jimmy, ref1, ref2
Doyle, Arthur Conan, ref1, ref2
Earhart, Amelia, ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6
Jessie and, ref1
Egypt, ref1
Enterprise, HMS, ref1
equator, ref1
Evans, Colin, ref1, ref2
Fairchild Aviation Corporation, ref1
Flight, ref1
Ford, Ford Madox, ref1
Ford Reliability Tour, ref1, ref2, ref3
French, Jack, ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5
Gatty, Harold, ref1
Gilmartin, Rex, ref1
Goddard, Robert, ref1
Good Housekeeping, ref1
Gowe, Donald, ref1, ref2