Clark County Clipper, February 23, 1928
PROTECTION BOY KILLED IN AIR PERFORMANCE
Francis Ashcraft, Protection boy, was instantly killed last Saturday while
participating in the Southeastern Air Derby at Macon, Ga. Ashcraft, with fellow
pilot Steele were dropping bombs from an approximate altitude of five to seven
thousand feet. No flyer was actually close enough to give accurate details as
to how the accident occurred, but the pilot of the closest machine described it
as being caused by a bomb that had been dropped. The bomb struck on the wing of
the plane and exploded prematurely. The plane then went into a tail spin and
both men were thrown from the machine. Ashcraft's body was badly bruised and
burned by the explosion, while Steele was decapitated. The plane fell in the
business part of the city and killed one and seriously injured several others.
"Franz" as friends here knew him, was a very popular and well known young man in
Protection and surrounding communities. His career in Protection High School
was well marked with distinction, both in athletic and scholastic circles. Last
fall he went east to learn aviation that he might later be associated with his
brother in that new field. His friends and relatives were deeply grieved to
learn of his tragic death. Protection community feels the loss of a man whose
ideals were above the common and whose thoughts were as noble as his deeds.
Ashcraft was 22 years of age.
The body was sent to Protection and funeral services were conducted there
Wednesday afternoon from the Methodist church. Interment was made in Protection
cemetery.
Contributed by ~Shirley Brier~ October 26, 2005
Back to
Obituaries
Back to Main
Page