Thaddeus Kerns

THADDEUS STEPHENS KERNS
1894-1913

Thaddeus Kerns
Collection of Betty Ballantine, 3-23-05
Courtesy of Ben Kerns

Boy Builds an Airship;
Everything About It His Own Work and It Will Fly ,too
Journal and Tribune,
Knoxville, Tennessee: September 11, 1910
Transcribed by Bob Davis - 8-20-05 "Chico, Cal., Sept. 10. - "Success has crowned the efforts of Thaddeus Kerns, 16 years old, a Chico youth who has been trying to make flights for some time past in an home-made aeroplane. Thursday afternoon he circled the mile race track twice. Yesterday he repeated his experiments and left the ground for three or four short flights. Everything about the machine, with the excepti0on of the engine, is the work of the boy's own hands. The machine is built along the lines of the Curtiss model.

Sunset Field - Alameda
Ready for the Takeoff
Collection of Betty Ballantine, 3-23-05
Courtesy of Ben Kerns

Thaddeus Kerns
In Flight
Collection of Betty Ballantine, 3-23-05
Courtesy of Ben Kerns

Thaddeus Kerns
After the Flight
Collection of Betty Ballantine, 3-23-05
Courtesy of Ben Kerns

Thaddeus Kerns in Chico - 1913
Collection of Betty Ballantine, 3-28-05

"Aviator Kerns Killed"
Daily Journal and Tribune,
Knoxville, Tennessee: July 7, 1913
Transcribed by Bob Davis - 8-20-05 "Chico, Cal., July 15. - Thaddeus Kerns, a 20-year-old aviator was killed late today when the engine of his biplane exploded seventy-five feet in the air. When the wreckage struck the ground the radiator crushed the aviator's head, while other parts of the biplane pierced his body."

ONLINE RESOURCES If you search for "Thaddeus Kerns", using the Google search engine,
(7-14-04), you will find about two relevant and important links.

Community Memorial Museum of Sutter County      This website came as a pleasant surprise to me when I searched for information on Thaddeus. The specific, if limited, reference to him is especially intriguing. When I clicked on the "Aviation Exhibit" link at the left of the page, I found myself on a page entitled "Taking Off - Early Aviation History In The Yuba - Sutter Area." The revue offers information about a number of pioneers including John Montgomery and Frank "Millionaire" Johnson who can be found on my website. In addition, you will find stories and photographs referring to lesser-known aviators such as M. L. Maupin, until now a stranger to me. You will find a very nice picture of his plane, along with an accompanying description of his exploits. There are several other featured exhibits, each one worthy of attention.
     With respect to Thaddeus Kerns, you will find an intriguing announcement that:
On Thursday, June 14, 2001 at 7:30 p.m., Barbara Hennigan will present a slide show about Thaddeus Kerns "Boy Aviator.".
     I plan to make a concerted effort to contact her, hopefully through her past connection with the Museum, so as to make more of his story available to our online community. In the meantime, I heartily recommend that you visit this site and take advantage of the many features it offers.

Thaddeus Kerns died on July 15, 1913.

Editor's Note:
If you have any more information on this pioneer aviator
please contact me.
E-mail to Ralph Cooper

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