Viewing page 6 of 19

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

[[Stamped]] FROM THE FLYING PIONEERS BIOGRAPHIES OF HAROLD E. MOREHOUSE [[/stamped]]
FRED DeKOR
Pioneer Exhibition Aviator

[[Image]]
Fred DeKor was born on a farm in Lyons County, Iowa, on February 24th 1878. His real name was Korstad which he later changed to DeKor during his professional career. During his youth the family moved to South Dakota then later to Washington and Oregon. Following his local schooling he attended North Idaho State Teachers College for four years.

DeKor was seriously injured in 1904 while working as a brakeman for the Great Northern Railway. He was riding in the cab with the engineer when the train collided head-on with a loan locomotive on the track. The engineer applied full brakes in order to court to jump with him before the impact. Searchers found them under a boxcar, the engineer was killed and DeKor was unconscious for thirty six hours. It was found he had a broken arm above the elbow and his left leg was broken in three places. The arm did not mend properly, it later broke apart and never healed, being of little use to him for the remainder of his life. The leg became two inches short, an additional handicap. Regardless of these difficulties DeKor went on to complete his education, and attended the University Of Wisconsin Law School, where he passed his Bar Examination in 1910.

1

Transcription Notes:
Three cheers to modern medical abilities, where your broken leg won't heal up too short, and your arm won't break apart!