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[[stamped]] FROM THE FLYING PIONEERS BIOGRAPHIES OF HAROLD E. MOREHOUSE [[/stamped]]

RAYMUND V. MORRIS
Early Curtiss Exhibition and Test Pilot

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Raymund V. Morris was born at Milford, Conn. August 31, 1889. He attended local schools, and being mechanically inclined took a great interest in automobiles, engaging in auto racing for some time.

In 1905 regular balloon ascensions became a feature at a nearby park and soon Morris was enthusiastically absorbed in helping the balloonist with his operations. One day the man claimed he was ill and offered to split the pay with Morris if he would make the ascent. Morris accepted the challenge and loved it, which resulted in his making four more ascents, apparently without the knowledge of his parents. During the summer of 1906 Morris took a job in Boston, which turned out to be with the American Balloon Co. and for the first few weeks he was engaged in making assigned ascensions for them until the mother discovered what he was doing and really put her foot down, which brought an abrupt end to his first aerial exploits. The thrill of the air had firmly taken hold of him, however, and he then turned his attention to flying.

In 1910 Morris purchased a second-hand Curtiss-type biplane with a Roberts 4 cylinder engine from pioneer plane builder Fred Schneider at Mineola, Long Island,