Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Item
Title
G67.1-151
Date(s)
- 1927-02-08 (Creation)
Extent
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
On February 8, 1927 heavyweight champion James J. "Gene" Tunney reached down from the "gunner's seat" of a military biplane to shake the hand of Washington Governor Roland H. Hartley when his plane landed at Camp Lewis. Mr. Tunney, who was traveling from Seattle to Olympia, flew to the army base before continuing on to the capital by car to speak before the state legislature about a proposed boxing commission bill. His pilot was Maj. Jack Fancher (standing in plane) of Spokane, commander of the 116th Observation Squadron, Washington National Guard. Mr. Tunney had flown once before, just before his title fight with Jack Dempsey, and had sworn never to fly again because of air sickness. He relented in order to speak in Olympia. He pronounced the flight to Tacoma "fine" and returned to Seattle the same way. (TNT 2/8/1927 p.1) BGN 614
Tunney, Gene, 1898-1978; Boxers (Sports)--1920-1930; Hartley, Roland H.; Governors--Washington (State); Fancher, Jack; Airplanes--1920-1930;