Nevada State Journal, Reno, Nevada Friday 11/14/1919
(C. Avis Catalog entry #1163)
(Document ID #657)
Nevada State Journal, Reno Nevada Friday 11/14/1919 p. 1
LIEUTENANT RUDD, RENO'S OWN FLYER, IS KILLED IN FALL
Much Admired Young Army Officer Well Known in Nevada
STOCKTON, Cal. Nov. 13 -- Mather field officers are in Stockton today investigating the death of Aviator Lieut. Charles Rudd, of Temple, Tex., who was killed in making a forced landing after dark near Stockton last evening. Private Salcido, with Rudd in the plane, is at a hospital here with minor injuries. Results of the investigation so far are that Rudd mistook Stockton for Sacramento and thus became confused in trying to locate bearing for his landing.
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Lieutenant Rudd won many friends during his recent stay in Reno where he was control commander for the transcontinental aerial derby. While here Lieut. Rudd took great interest in the city's affairs and freely gave of his time and ability to aid the city in studying the need for an airplane landing place. The lieutenant consulted with Mayor Stewart and advised the latter in every possible way. The officer's advice was not given as one who had authority but as a friend of the city who wanted to place what he could do at the disposal of his friends.
Delighted Reno People
While here Lieutenant Rudd gave some exhibitions of flying that seldom are equaled any place. He was required to do several hours of flying each month under army regulations and utilized airplanes of the different racers when they stopped in Reno.
Lieutenant Rudd stated one evening in the Journal office that he proposed to give Reno some real thrills the next day. He did. He flew over the city so close to the ground that he had to tilt the machine's wings to avoid scraping flagpoles. Over the residence district the daring officer brought his machine down level with second-story windows and so close that everyone in the city had the opportunity to see a flying machine in action at close range.
Was Booster of City
Rudd became an enthusiastic Reno booster before leaving the city and when his entry was accepted for an aerial race from San Francisco to San Diego, Rudd stated that he would represent Reno in the race and would wear this city's colors in the flight, which he intended to win.
Lieutenant Rudd was an officer and a gentleman, and Congress had only to make him an officer, he was the other before. He was much interested in aviation and a deep student of the technical side of flying. He was unmarried, but his parents survive. They live in Texas.
[Handwritten note in margin:]
"I became well acquainted with your brother & I admired & liked him. May I extend my sympathy as I share your loss? resp. J. F. Wathey. Ed."