Remembering the 1977 Evansville Purple Aces

Evansville, IN

Rarely do I take a trip down memory lane on this blog, but alas, today is one of those times. I was stunned a few weeks ago when I realized that it had been 36 years since a regional tragedy shook southern Indiana to its core.

Tuesday, December 13, 1977 was a cold, rainy evening in Evansville, Indiana. Fog was moving in in front of a cold front, and wind gusts whipped across the prairie. 

The University of Evansville Purple Aces, the men’s basketball team, was preparing to head to a game at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. But the team had waited over three hours at the airport before their plane arrived. It had been delayed due to inclement weather.

Bobby Watson

The players and their new coach, Bobby Watson, were excited and anticipating this game, thinking it could be the beginning of the holiday turn-around games they were expecting to win.

1977 Purple Aces

With a 1 – 3 record going into this game, the Aces wanted to prove they had what it would take to bring home a victory, and that their young, optimistic coach was right – in their first season of Division 1 competition they planned to be a force to be reckoned with come spring. And the City of Evansville staunchly supported them.

But at 7:22 p.m., on runway 18 at Evansville Dress Regional Airport, all hopes for the team and their coach ended.

DC-3

Crash Debris

Within 90 seconds after takeoff, the twin-engine Douglas C-53 (DC-3) chartered to fly the team to Nashville, lost control and crashed in a nearby field. There were 29 people on board; 25 were killed immediately. Three others died at the scene. Only one person made it to the hospital where he died a few hours later.

The hometown basketball team was gone. The horror of the crash rebounded around the city, the state, the Midwest, and the country.

The official accident report listed the probable cause of the crash as "An attempted take-off with the rudder and right aileron control locks installed, in combination with a rearward centre of gravity, which resulted in the aircraft's rotating to a nose-high attitude immediately after take-off, and entering the region of reversed command from which the pilot was unable to recover.”

The report also stated that the passenger baggage had not been loaded correctly, creating an improper weight balance in the rear of the plane.

Of those who were killed, 14 were members of the Purple Aces basketball team, along with Coach Bobby Watson. Also on board were three student managers, three UE officials, the team’s radio announcer, two fans, and four members of the flight crew, along with the president of the airline.

David Furr

Only one member of the Purple Aces had not been injured. Freshman David Furr, who also served as the team’s statistician, had been sidelined due to an ankle injury and was not on the plane that night. But two-weeks later, Furr and his 16-year-old brother were killed in a car accident after being hit by a drunk driver. By the end of 1977, all of the members of UE’s Purple Aces were dead.

Memorial Plaza

Weeping Basketball

A memorial plaza was built as a monument to the team. What is known as the “Weeping Basketball” stands in the center of the plaza. Stone slabs are engraved with the names of all who died in the crash, and also teammate David Furr, killed two weeks later. The memorial is located on the University of Evansville campus.

UE Game

Tonight will mark thirty-six years since the crash of the team’s plane. A lot has changed, yet some things remain the same. The university basketball team still fights under the mantle of purple, and the city is as enthusiastic and supportive as ever of their Purple Aces. Yes, Hoosier Hysteria still reigns throughout Evansville, and the state of Indiana.

But many who can recall that terrible event will pause this evening, and remember the night when basketball died in a barren southern Indiana field.

~ Joy

Remembering those who lost their lives in the crash:

University of Evansville Coach
Robert (Bobby) Watson

Purple Aces Players
Kevin Kingston, senior
John Ed Washington, senior
Tony Winburn, senior
Steve Miller, junior
Bryan Taylor, junior
Keith Moon, sophomore
Warren Alston, freshman
Ray Comandella, freshman
Mike Duff, freshman
Kraig Heckendorn, freshman
Michael Joyner, freshman
Barney Lewis, freshman
Greg Smith, freshman
Mark Siegel, freshman

Student Managers
Jeff Bohnert
Mark (Tank) Kirkpatrick
Mark Kniese

University of Evansville Officials
Bob Hudson, athletic business manager
Gregory Knipping, sports information director
Charles Shike, comptroller

Radio Announcer
Marvin (Marv) Bates

Fans and Boosters
Charles Goad
Maurice (Maury) King

Flight Crew Members & Airline Representatives
Ty Van Pham, pilot
Gaston Ruiz, first officer
Pam Smith, flight attendant
James Stewart, president of National Jet Service, Inc.
Bill Hartford, charter flight manager

Tis the Season - Celebrating the Real St Nicholas

St Nicholas

Santa

It was on this date in 343 AD that St Nicholas died - and the origins of Santa were born.

You see the story of Santa begins with Nicholas. Born in Patara, Lycia (now Turkey) in 270 AD, Nicholas’s wealthy Greek parents raised him to be a devout Christian. When they died in an epidemic, Nicholas took his inheritance and used it to help the needy, sick, and infirm.

Bishop Nicholas

While still a young man, Nicholas became the Bishop of Myra. Because of his many miracles, he became known as Nikolaos the Wonder Worker. He enjoyed giving gifts to those in need – but always in secret so they would not know from whom the gift came – which is how he became the model for Santa Clause.

Nicholas & the Dowery

One legend has him tossing three purses filled with gold coins through a poor man’s window so that each of his daughters could have a proper dowry and be able to marry.

Miracle of the Grain

Of his miracles, it is said that during a famine in Myra, Nicholas asked a captain to sell him some grain from his three ships bound for Alexandria. The captain refused, saying that the cargo had been weighed and measured, and must be delivered intact. Bishop Nicholas told the captain that there would be no problem with the cargo’s weight. The captain unloaded 100 bushels of corn from each ship and continued on. When he arrived in Alexandria, the grain weighed what it had when the voyage began.

With the 300 bushels of corn, Nicholas was able to feed the people of Lycia, and also provide enough seed for them to plant to keep them in food for another two years – until the famine ended.

St Nicholas Medal for Sailors

Sailors also have a special bond with St Nicholas. During a violent storm, sailors implored Bishop Nicholas to help them. The sailors then saw Nicholas appear on the ship and assist them in retying masts and getting the ship out of danger. When they landed in Myra they sought out the Bishop and asked how he had heard them and been able to help. Nicholas replied that a life devoted to God made the person clear-sighted and able to heed the calls of those in danger.

Tomb of Bishop Nicholas

On December 6, 343 Bishop Nicholas died. He was buried in the cathedral in Myra. Because of the numerous miracles attributed to him, and for his generosity of spirit, Bishop Nicholas became St Nicholas in 400 AD. The anniversary of his death is known as St Nicholas Day. (Celebrated on December 19^th on the Julian calendar.)

Celebrating St Nicholas Day

Throughout the centuries the legacy of St Nicholas traveled throughout the world. He became known as the protector of children and sailors. And has always been known for his heart-felt gift-giving.

During the 12^th century the Dutch and French began to celebrate St Nicholas Day by leaving gifts for those in need. The custom spread to other countries including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and England.

St Nicholas Giving Gifts

Rudolph Hospinian

In the 15^th century the Swiss writer Rudolf Hospinian helped spread the legend when he wrote, “It was the custom for parents, on the vigil of St Nicholas, to convey secretly presents of various kinds to their little sons and daughters who were taught to believe that they owed them to the kindness of St Nicholas and his train, who, going up and down among the towns and villages, came in at the windows, though they were shut, and distributed them.”

John Pintard

But it seems that St Nicholas didn’t really get embraced in America until the early 19^th century. John Pintard, founder of the New York Historical Society, indorsed St Nicholas as the patrol saint of the city, and the society in 1804. Just a few years later Washington Irving published Knickerbocker’s History of New York and mentioned a jolly St Nicholas-type figure.

Anderson's Drawing

By 1810, Pintard had commissioned an artist to create an image for the American St Nick. Artist Alexander Anderson drew Nicholas placing treats in children’s stocking that were hung on the fireplace.

Children's Friend Santa

The first lithographed book published in the U.S. in 1821 was titled the Children’s Friend,
and told of Santa Clause who lived at the North Pole and traveled by a sleigh, pulled by flying reindeer.

In 1823, A Visit from St Nick, or as it is better known now, “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” was published. This description of Santa formed the lasting American image of St Nicholas.

Thomas Nast's Santa

During the 1860’s and 70’s, Thomas Nast drew illustrations of Santa for Harper’s Weekly. In his drawings Santa wore a long, white beard, and a red fur-trimmed suit, which covered a round belly. In many illustrations he was shown smoking a clay pipe. Somewhere during this century St Nicholas and Santa became intermingled.

By the middle of the 20^th century, Santa had gone commercial.

Santa Goes Commercial

Instead of giving gifts from the heart, as St Nicholas had, Santa became all about spending money on presents, and the more money, the better. The expectation became give a gift; get a gift. Somewhere along the line, helping the poor, sick, and infirmed became a novel idea instead of the norm. Commercialism had reared its ugly head and taken over the holiday, along with the spirit of giving.

Ghost of Christmas Present

We are now over a decade into the 21^st century and Charles Dickens novella A Christmas Carol still retains a contemporary message. When the Ghost of Christmas Present parts his green fur-lined robe to revel two starving children, Scrooge asks whose children they are. The Spirit replies, “They are Man's and they cling to me, appealing from their fathers. This boy is Ignorance and this girl is Want. Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased.”

Maybe this should be the year we celebrate the season more in keeping with the way Bishop Nicholas would have: with kindness, charity, and generosity of spirit: some things even Santa might approve of.

~ Joy

A Grave in the Middle of the Road

Tractor Crossing

Deer Crossing

It isn’t unusual when traveling country back roads to come across road signs warning drivers of deer or other unseen hazards. But this sign was a first for me… It’s meaning?

Grave in the Middle of the Road

There is a grave in the middle of the road.

But the grave was not always in the flow of traffic. 

Settler's Cabin

Nancy Kerlin married William Barnett in 1808 and they settled near what would become Amity, Indiana. They raised several children before Nancy died on December 1, 1831.

Indiana Wilderness

Her family buried her on top of a small hill that overlooked Sugar Creek, one of her favorite spots. Soon others were also buried in the makeshift graveyard, and over the years a small county cemetery developed.

Local Longhorn

But then progress reared its head and decided that a road needed to be built to connect Amity with other thoroughfares in the state.

Around the turn of the century, Johnson County decided to take the road directly through the cemetery, which meant that the graves would need to be relocated.

Johnson County Courthouse

But Nancy Barnett’s grandson, Daniel G. Doty had a problem with that. He did not want his grandmother’s grave disturbed. Doty went to the county and voiced his opposition to the plan but nothing changed. So, Doty decided to take matters into his own hands.

When the county work crews arrived to begin moving the graves that morning, they discovered Doty, sitting on his grandmother’s grave – with a loaded shotgun.

Road Crew

Again, Doty told the county that his grandmother would stay where she was. If they insisted on trying to move her grave, they would have to deal with him…

Graves That Were Moved

Nancy Barnett's Grave

The county concurred and left Doty and his grandmother’s grave alone. All that remained after the other graves had been moved was Doty, sitting on Nancy Barnett’s grave – still holding his gun.

Historical Marker

In 1912, a concrete slab was placed over the grave to protect it. A historical marker was added in 1982 by Barnett’s great, great grandson Kenneth Blackwell and his son, Richard Blackwell.

Nancy's Grave ON CR 400S

If you’d like to make the journey to see “the grave in the middle of the road,” travel south out of Indianapolis on U.S. 31 about 25 miles. You’ll travel through the town of Franklin, Indiana and continue south on 31 before turning east on County Road 400S about 1.5 miles.

Divided Roadway

It’s a part of unique American history; the result of the perseverance and determination of those who call themselves  "Hoosiers." 

~ Joy

50 Details About Kennedy’s Assassination on the 50th Anniversary

President John F. Kennedy

November 22, 1963

It was 50 years ago today, November 22 1963, when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Although Kennedy’s legacy was short, the man inspired hope in a new generation that eventually brought about long sought after changes in this country. Kennedy urged U.S. citizens to take up the challenge when he said “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

Here are 50 details you may not know about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

The President, First Lady & Governor Connally

1) In 1963, it was still not a federal crime to
assassinate a president.

2) The Presidential Limo had been flown into Dallas for the occasion.

3) The presidential motorcade route was decided on November 18 and released to the public shortly after.

4) November 22^nd, 1963 was a sunny Friday in Dallas.

5) Over a quarter of a million people lined the parade route that day.

6) Kennedy was in Dallas less than an hour before being shot. His plane landed at Love Field at 11:37 a.m. He was shot at 12:30 p.m.

7) Kennedy took a bullet to the upper back and one to the head. Texas Governor John B. Connally Jr. received one bullet to the body.

8) The bullet that hit Connally had already passed through the president’s body.

9) Mrs. Kennedy had just turned toward the president when he was shot: she saw his face as he was hit.

10) Both men were rushed to Parkland Hospital in the presidential limo.

At Parkland Hospital after the President's Arrival

11) Mrs. Kennedy realized just how severely her husband had been wounded. She tried to hold his skull together until they arrived at the hospital.

12) She gave doctors part of Kennedy’s brain-matter that she had been holding in her cupped hands and remained in the operating room with her husband.

13) The President never revived after being shot.

14) John F. Kennedy was the first president to have the last rites administered by a Catholic priest.

15) President Kennedy died at 1:00 p.m. central time. He was 46 years old: the youngest man ever elected to be President

Walter Cronkite Announcing the Death of JFK

16) ABC Radio released the first UPI bulletin at 12:36 p.m. stating “THREE SHOTS WERE FIRED AT PRESIDENT KENNEDY'S MOTORCADE TODAY IN DOWNTOWN DALLAS, TEXAS.”

17) At 12:40 p.m. Walter Cronkite of CBS Television News broke into the popular soap opera As the World Turns with a bulletin stating, “President Kennedy has been seriously wounded…”

18) Dan Rather of CBS News was the first to send the report that Kennedy was dead. CBS Radio went with it – before official word had been given.

19) CBS, ABC and NBC covered the assassination for four days – from 10 minutes after the gunshots were fired until the body had been laid to rest at Arlington Cemetery.

20) This was the longest uninterrupted television coverage of a news event until the attacks in 2001 on September 11th.

21) From this weekend forward, America would turn to television for their news.

Mrs. Kennedy Leaving Parkland Hosptial

19) Lyndon Johnson, acting as president, told White House officials not to release the news of Kennedy’s death until after he had left the hospital, saying he feared a conspiracy.

20) Kennedy’s body was removed from Parkland Hospital before the Dallas coroner could conduct the forensic exam required by Texas law.

21) Mrs. Kennedy refused to change out of her pink Chanel suit, which was covered in the president’s blood.

22) Most Americans did not immediately know the color of her suit because television broadcasts were in black and white at that time.

23) The blood-soaked Chanel suit is preserved at the National Achieves and will not be displayed until at least 2103, and then only at the discretion of the Kennedy family.

24) At 2 p.m. Mrs. Kennedy was taken back to Air Force One with her husband’s body, which had been placed in a bronze casket.

Lyndon Johnson Being Sworn In As President

25) Vice President Lyndon Johnson was sworn in as president at 2:39 p.m. aboard Air Force One as it sat on the runway of Love Field in Dallas.

26) The only woman to administer the oath of office to a president was Federal Judge Sarah Hughes aboard Air Force One.

27) Johnson became president 99 minutes after Kennedy died.

28) Besides the new president, the new first lady and the former first lady, Air Force One was also carrying the slain president’s body back to Washington.

The President's Body Going to the Capitol

29) Upon arrival, the president’s body was taken to Bethesda Naval Hospital for an autopsy.

30) The embalming and cosmetic restoration was also done at Bethesda.

31) The President’s body was then placed in the East Room for 24 hours as he lay in repose.

32) Two Catholic priests stayed with the body during this time at the request of Mrs. Kennedy.

31) On Sunday, the flag-draped coffin was taken on a horse-drawn caisson to the U.S. Capitol to lie in state.

32) Over 250,000 people passed through the Capitol to show their respects.

33) Hundreds of thousands lined the streets in mourning.

Texas School Book Depository

34) The gunfire that killed Kennedy reportedly came from the Texas School Book Depository on the sixth floor.

35) Lee Harvey Oswald had begun working at the Book Depository one month before.

36) Oswald was arrested at 2:00 p.m. in a movie theatre.

37) He was not arrested for killing the President. He was arrested for killing police officer J.D. Tippit.

Ruby Shooting Oswald

38) As Oswald was being transferred from the Dallas City Jail to the Dallas County Jail, he was shot and killed by nightclub owner, Jack Ruby.

39) This was the first homicide broadcast live on television.

40) Lee Harvey Oswald died at 1:07 p.m. at Parkland Hospital – exactly two days and seven minutes after President John F. Kennedy, the man he had killed.

41) Conspiracy theories quickly developed. Today almost 60% of Americans still believe the president’s murder was part of a plot or cover-up.

42) Jack Ruby was convicted of “murder with malice” for killing Oswald and sentenced to death. His conviction was overturned. He was awaiting a new trial when he died of lung cancer in 1967.

First Page of the Warren Commission's Report

43) The House Select Committee on Assassinations later concluded that President Kennedy had not been given satisfactory protection while in Dallas.

44) The Secret Service agents had not followed correct procedure to protect the President from a sniper.

45) In 1963, the Warren Commission released an 888-page final report on its investigation into the assassination of the president.

Mrs. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy After Lighting the Eternal Flame

46) Businesses around the country, along with the U.S. Stock Exchange, closed their doors immediately after the President’s death and did not reopen until November 26^th.

47) President Johnson declared Sunday, November 25^th a day of national mourning.

48) On November 25^th President Kennedy was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

49) Mrs. Kennedy requested that an eternal flame be placed on the President’s grave.

50) President Kennedy is the most recent president to have been killed in office. In all, four U.S. presidents have been assassinated while in office: Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley and John F. Kennedy.

~ Joy

For an amazing Then and Now series of photo montages on the event and locations, visit the UK’s Daily Mail online @ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2509799/JFK-brought-life-photo-trickery.html