VIL feb 09 GRID.indd - Tubac Villager

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28 ...continued from page 11 aeroplane, but no engine. Th en, with his mechanic, he departed tonight for the south, taking the mysterious package with him. It was intimated that the packages held below Tucson are dummies. May 12th, Th e Ogden Standard dateline Nogales, Ariz., reported that Cal Wright, City Marshal of Nogales, Arizona, two U.S. soldiers and a Nogales bartender named Jack Wilson were arrested for smuggling a shipment of 125,000 cartridges across the border with the intent of selling to the insurgent Sonora state troops (Obregón’s forces). Hmmm, Wright certainly had an interesting title! Th e same article continued: It also is said that the remaining parts of an aeroplane, completing the portions secured last week at Nogales, Sonora, were slipped through the border patrol. Aviator Didier Masson and his mechanician, who, on the receipt of some aeroplane parts on Sunday, were said to have departed for the south, reappeared in the Mexican town [?] and departed on a special train which came from the east early today, then proceeded to the insurgent front above Guaymas. A couple of days later on the 19th, the New York Times reported: “Th e war aeroplane which crossed into Mexico near Naco last night was the same fl ying machine confi scated by United States offi cials two weeks ago. Th e machine has disappeared from a ranch between Tucson and this point. With it disappeared Reuben Hopkins, a United States deputy marshal of Tucson, who was left to guard the crates.” As you can see, things get very fuzzy concerning �� Dan Haught • Licensed • Bonded • Insured In business in Arizona 30 years • WELL DRILLING • PUMP INSTALLATION & REPAIRS • WATER STORAGE TANKS • SEPTIC TANKS- NEW & REPAIR • UNDERGROUND UTILITIES • EXCAVATION & GRADING • BACKHOE & DUMP TRUCK SERVICE ••• FREE ESTIMATES ••• S o u t h e r n A r i z o n a H i s t o r y Didier Masson & El Biplano Sonora the number of aeroplanes being smuggled across the border and where. By May 23rd, Th e Yuma Examiner ran the following story: Tucson, May 22, Th at “Rube” Hopkins, United States deputy, marshal, who disappeared simultaneously with the capture of the Masson aeroplane from Pike’s ranch by American agents of the Sonora forces has been seen on the streets of Hermosillo, is stated in advices received in Tucson on Wednesday. He is said to be working for the Southern Pacifi c of Mexico, though the railroad company head quarters here have no information on that subject. Hopkins, being a one legged man and of a striking personality other wise, should be easily recognizable it is thought and the belief is that no mistake was made. It was at fi rst reported that Hopkins, who was stationed at Pike’s ranch to guard the aeroplane of the U. S. government, was apprehended by the federalists. Th is was then thrown open to doubt. Arthur Alva “Rube” Hopkins played an interesting part in the story. A month earlier on April 16th, Th e Yuma Examiner reported U.S. Deputy Marshal A. A. Hopkins seized part of a shipment of 52 cases of ammunition two days earlier at Naco, Arizona. Naco is located on the border west of Bisbee, Arizona. Huerta’s general, Pedro Ojeda, and his troops were battling Obregón’s troops in Naco, Sonora at the time. With bullets fl ying over the border, the Southern Pacifi c engineer pulled out of Naco heading for Benson and Tucson before Hopkins could unload the entire shipment. Hopkins quickly telegraphed U.S. Marshal Gift Baskets, Gift Certificates & Gift Sets Available Located In Arivaca 520-398-3326 Cell: 520-975-1127 Charles A. Overlock in Tucson advising him there were 17 more cases to confi scate. “El Biplano Sonora” El Biplano Sonora probably made it across the border around May 18th to 20th and was taken to Hermosillo to be reassembled. Several test fi ghts over several days were made around Hermosillo before attempting a run to Guaymas. Th e Salt Lake Tribune published the following story with a Mexican byline: International News Service, Guaymas, Mex., May 27: Th e lives of scores of Americans are in grave peril in this city as a result of a fi erce battle which is raging between the federal army, encamped here, and the rebel forces, which began the attack this morning. Didier Masson, the French aviator, during the day circled about the city’s roofs in his aeroplane dropping bombs. A number of these dropped in the principal business streets doing great damage to property and causing considerable loss of life. Masson also made several fl ights out over the harbor, where he dropped bombs on the deck of the federal warship Guerrero, lying at anchor. Th e main portion of the rebel forces is now less than ten miles from Guaymas and advancing rapidly. Fierce fi ghting was in progress this evening between the federals and the advance guard of the rebels. Guaymas is in a state of siege. Th ere is a large American colony in the heart of the city, which may be wiped out at any moment. It appears the above article was pure fi ction as that fi rst “bombing run” over the city of Guaymas was to drop warning pamphlets not bombs. It took place on or about May 29th with Capt. Alcalde as the copilot and bombardier. Th is seems to be born out by an article in Th e Salt Lake Tribune on June 3rd: NOGALES, Ariz., June 2.— ... Didier Masson, the French aviator, so far has failed to make any showing with his aeroplane from which it was planned to drop shells on the Mexican gunboats Morelos and Guerrero, lying in Guaymas harbor. He has failed to make a single successful fl ight against the advancing federals’ column, nor has General Alvaro Obregon been able to force the land fi ghting. Ojeda is pursuing the same tactics of advance and retreat he used so successfully in defending Naco. A few days later: NOGALES, Ariz., June 10... Didier Masson is reported to have repaired his war aeroplano, and again will attempt to drop bombs on the heads of the federals. An aeroplane manufactured in Douglas, Ariz., by an amateur inventor is known to have crossed last night into Mexico and was taken to Naco, Sonora, under an escort of fi fty soldiers. From Naco it will be hurried by rail to the front. Th e New York Times published this tidbit: DOUGLAS, Ariz., June 21.—Didier Masson, in his war aeroplane, forced the gunboats Guerrero and Tampico to steam out to sea from Guaymas harbor late today, according to reports received by the Constitutionalists Committee here, which asserted also that Gen. Ojeda’s Federals were being held by the State troops in the fi ghting several miles north of the California gulf port. Th e French aviator was accompanied on his fl ights by Capt. Manuel D. Alcaldo, [more likely Captain Joaquín Bauche Alcalde] who assisted in dropping bombs upon the town and driving the Mexican gunboats out of the harbor. Just before dusk Masson landed to get more ammunition. With mechanic Tommy Dean as copilot and bombardier, Masson began to work on a means of more accurately dropping bombs on the navel ships. Th e Nevada State Journal reported: NOGALES, Ariz., July 13.—Th e French aviator, Didier Masosn, has invented an apparatus to carry twelve bombs on each fl ight, together with a sighting system for dropping bombs from his aeroplane. He says that within a few days he will attempt again to sink the federal gunboats lying in Guaymas harbor. July 30th seems to confi rm that Masson and Dean were improving. Th e New York Times reported: AT THE FRONT, ABOVE GUAYMAS, MEXICO. July 28 (Delayed in transmission.)—Didier Masson, from his big biplane, dropped bombs this afternoon around the gunboat Tampico, lying in Guaymas harbor. Four bombs were dropped, one striking within a few feet of the Federal gunboat. Th is probably gave rise to the report that the boat had been struck. Th e French aviator operated under heavy fi re as he circled over the town. One fi nal article from the New York Times mentioning Masson reported: NOGALES, Ariz., Aug. 10.—An unexpected bombardment of Empalme was occasioned early to-day by an accident to Didier Masson’s aeroplane. Th e engine suddenly stopped when the aviator was fl ying over Guaymas harbor. Masson volplaned to shore, landing in the Mexican section of the American railroad settlement. Th e French aviator was caught on land within reach of the Federal cannon for the fi rst time since he began dropping bombs around the gunboats Guerrero and Tampico. For an hour and a half shrapnel was scattered over Empalme, the gunboats being joined by the Federal shore batteries. Th e general offi ces of the Southern Pacifi c Railway of Mexico, other railroad property, and many private building were damaged.
S o u t h e r n A r i z o n a H i s t o r y All non-combatants fl ed to the hills. Masson was believed to-night to have escaped, and no foreigners were reported injured in offi cial advices received from Empalme. It was about this time that Masson and Dean decided they had had enough and decided to quit. Th ey claimed that they had not been paid for several months. However, both remained in Mexico in an unoffi cial capacity. Masson trained a highly respected Mexican aviation engineer named Captain Gustavo Salinas Camiña to pilot Sonora. Salinas was a graduate of the Moisant Aviation School in New York and merely need to be checked on the Martin Pusher, an aircraft that he had never fl own before. Most aviation historians agree that Masson failed to hit anything with bombs dropped from Sonora. He came close, but no direct strikes. It would be a year before Salinas, piloting Sonora, would win fame as the fi rst North American pilot to successfully make a bombing run on an enemy ship forcing it out to sea on April 14, 1914. “Rube Hopkins” made the papers once again. Th e Yuma Examiner reported: FORMER DEPUTY “RUBE” HOPKINS IS ARESTED IN NOGALES, SON. Nogales Sept. 27—Reuben Hopkins, former deputy United States marshal who is alleged to have aided in smuggling the Masson aeroplane into Mexico and later became a major in the Constitutionalist army, was arrested in Nogales, Sonora today as a fugitive from the United States. He will not appeal to the American consul. As for Didier Masson, with the outbreak of A PRIVATE RETREAT... GORGEOUS CUSTOM HOME ON OVER 4 ACRES World War I, he returned to France and soon became a member of the Lafayette Escadrille. After the war he came back the United States, and ran the Hotel Potter in Santa Barbara, California in the 1920s until it burned to the ground. Next he lived in Mexico and British Honduras operating an import-export business. He was also the station manager for Pan American World Airways in Belize, and managed the Iris hotel in Chetumel, Mexico. He died June 2, 1950 in Merida, Mexico. Sources: - “Didier Masson 1886-1950.” http://www.earlyaviators. com/emasson.htm - El Biplano “Sonora.” Cronicas Difusor de la Microhistoria Sonorense, Junio 1998, Ano. 3, No.6 - Greenwood, James R. “Air Warriors for Hire.” <strong>Tubac</strong> Historical Society Monthly Meeting - November 2, 2006. - Grover, David H. “Pioneering Air-Sea Engagement.” http:// www.earlyaviators.com/egrovmas.htm - Medina Salinas, Delia, personal notes. - Romero, Manuel Ruiz, “The World’s First Air Combat.” http:// www.mexicanaviationhistory.com/noticias/noticia.php?id=8 - Sánchez Aguilar, M. C. Cuauhtémoc, “The First Air-naval Combat in history, First part.” http://www.mazatlaninteractivo. com.mx/new/en/2008/edition/38_historia-2/ - “The Aerodrome Forum.” http://www.theaerodrome.com/ forum/pioneer-aviation/24884-where-didier-masson.html - Tuck, Jim, “The Dark Shadow of Victoriano Huerta.” http:// www.mexconnect.com/mex_/history/jtuck/jtvhuerta.html - Newspapers from April - October 1913: The New York Times, Casa Grande Dispatch, The Ogden Examiner, The Ogden Standard, The Yuma Examiner, The Salt Lake Tribune and the Galveston Daily News. JUST SOUTH OF TUBAC ON SANTA GERTRUDIS LANE, YOU’LL FIND THIS IMPECCABLY BUILT 3200 SQ. FT.HOME ON A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF FLAT LAND,(PERFECT FOR HORSE FACILITIES)!!! THE HOME BOASTS A GREAT ROOM WITH BEAMED CEILINGS, STONE FIREPLACE, TRAVERTINE FLOORS AND GOURMET KITCHEN. A LUXURIOUS MASTER SUITE AND 2 ADDITIONAL BDRMS PLUS A WINE ROOM ,& A HUGE GARAGE W/ ATTACHED LIVING QUARTERS. OFFERED AT $995,000. Call Heidi for ez appt. 520-907-9682
Page 1 and 2: Celebrating the Art of Living in So
Page 3 and 4: About this month’s cover Painting
Page 5 and 6: Thursdays - Farmers Market at the P
Page 7 and 8: ...continued from page 5 Sat, Feb 7
Page 9 and 10: with tobacco growth, based on the a
Page 11 and 12: y Mary Bingham S o u t h e r n A r
Page 13 and 14: Graham Bell Gallery- Authentic Cowb
Page 15 and 16: of taxpayers, he said, to wait unti
Page 17 and 18: Tubac Historical Society Board of D
Page 19 and 20: Make La Entrada — Your Tubac Dest
Page 21 and 22: 97 CALLE IGLESIA BURRUEL STREET TUB
Page 23 and 24: Top Left: A Queen butterfl y, a cot
Page 25 and 26: Tubac Festival of the Arts celebrat
Page 27: y Carol E. St. John While I listene
Page 31 and 32: CHIANTI FAVORITES My two favorite C
Page 33 and 34: ...continued from page 7 33 Field S
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Page 37 and 38: Valentine’s Day is a mix of fondn
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VIL feb 09 GRID.indd - Tubac Villager

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