Viewing page 1 of 77
This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.
The La Grange Citizen "BUCK" WEAVER FLYS NO MORE - Aviator Dies After A Brave Struggle -Had Brilliant Career As Pilot And Airplane Expert - The Eagle has made his last flight. George E. "Buck" Weaver, 135 Calendar avenue, noted aviator, died as bravely as he has lived Tuesday morning after an illness of three months. He had been at Hinsdale Sanitarium for six weeks but came home shortly before his death. Until the last, the same spirit which made him one of the pioneer distance flyers and instructors of aviation, bore him up and his wife's devotion and the solicitude of his many friends made his last weeks not unhappy. He was only twenty-nine years old. To do him honor, several of his friends who have gained fame in the field of air, will fly over his coffin Thursday afternoon on its journey to Oak Wood cemetery. Among those who will be here are: Laddie Laird, exhibition flyer and a long time friend; Major Schoeder and the noted Eddie Stinson. Katherine Stinson, famous woman flyer is another friend who would like to so honor him but she is now an invalid, confined in a sanitarium. Taught "War Birds" George Weaver was born in Chicago, and had lived there most of his life although his work has taken him all over the country. He was one of the first to make the Chicago-New York flight in a day. In 1917, he left the hospital after an appendicitis operation to serve his country as a civilian instructor at Rich Field, Waco, Texas, where he trained 300 student flyers for the U.S. service. From this operation came intestinal trouble which developed with the years and caused his death. Weaver had perfected his own planes and was an expert in the mechanical line of aeronautics as well. Last year he flew his cabin plane with his wife, and four year old son, both of whom survive him, to Atlantic City. Among those who learned to fly under Weaver's instruction is Lt. Maughan, the coast to coast daylight flyer. Weaver knew nearly everyone in the aviation game and for ten years he has been active in it. He learned to fly at the Chicago Aero (Continued on Page 2) LA GRANGE, ILLINOIS, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 1924 THURSDAY, JULY 31, 1924 "BUCK" WEAVER DIES (Continued From Page 1) Club in 1914, when only nineteen years of age. Had Tribune Contract Just before he was taken ill he received a fine contract from the Chicago Tribune to carry "rush" pictures of important news events for them. He was unable to do this-the first time he had failed to go ahead with anything he had attempted. He looked forward confidently at all times to be well again and his courage in in the hospital was noted. George Weaver was a man of ideals as well as ideas and his manly courage, his lighthearted spirit and his comradeship made him hosts of friends. He moved to LaGrange only last November but had already become well known here. Planes Will Fly For Him Services will be held at the house today (Thursday) at 2 p.m. conducted by Doctor Thompson of the Congregational church. Weaver was a lover of poetry and several poems will be read including Riley's, "Not Goodbye." The Chicago Tribune will carry a story about the aviator in its Thursday morning edition. Besides his widow and son, George, Jr., five years old, Mr. Weaver is survived by his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. C. G. Weaver, 7117 Normal boulevard, Chicago, and three brothers, Philip M., Herbert H. and Charles F. (same address.) The planes, in formation will fly over the funeral cortege to the cemetery and there drop wreaths to honor their departed friend who was one of the conquerors of the air. "Buck" Weaver has gone, piloting his plane out into some unknown beyond, but the spirit in which he lived remains and America will always have young men who will "carry on."
