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in the season. In mid-December he made several flights at the Silver Lake flying field near Akron, and early January, 1914, he made 11 flights at Akron in one of the planes of his own design and construction from Sandusky.

Following this he went to Florida for the Benoist Co. and assisted in the starting and operating of their early St. Petersburg-Tampa passenger air-boat line. Cooke was there until March, 1914, when he returned to Sandusky and resumed work on his airboat. Apparently his efforts were to no avail as work was soon stopped. Later, in June, his Sandusky Co. was declared bankrupt. Meanwhile he had returned to California, where he did some flying for Silas Christofferson on their air-line between Oakland and San Francisco, using the Christofferson Flying Boat, AEROMAID. Following a brief stay there, Cooke went back into the exhibition business, using his Sandusky-built tractor. On September 16, 1914, while flying at the Fair Grounds in Pueblo, Colo. his plane collapsed in the air, falling some distance, and he was instantly killed. He was survived by his wife and mother.

Weldon B. Cooke was one of the very active early flying pioneers who gave his life in the initial era of aviation development. A hard working, self taught enthusiast, he was determined to carry on in spite of all obstacles. Mechanic, builder, pilot, he is truly deserving of great credit for the part he played in the progress of flight.

FROM THE FLYING PIONEERS BIOGRAPHIES OF HAROLD E. MOREHOUSE