ADNEY J. LIRETTE Collection of Roy Dillard, 3-24-05

 

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES - 1 via email from Mary Glass, 4-24-04      Briefly, Born March 27, 1891, in Houma, Louisiana to Edgar and Marie Lirette. Named Adney J. Lirette, nicknamed "Daredevil", he started in 1913 as a "stunt" flyer and wing walker and continued until he died at his last performance on May 17, 1922 in Vernon, Texas. He made the 4000 feet jump, his parachute did not open.       One of his favorite stunts was hanging from a rope attached to a speeding plane. His plane choice was a Curtiss Bi-Plane. His last known performance (where he did not die) was on New Year's Day, 1921 at Claiborne Field in New Orleans.      The people in Vernon, Texas are looking for articles on his death as we speak. The New York Public \ Library has some Fox News Moving Picture Magazines, but they don't know yet if they have the article comparing Adney to Ormer Locklear (which is quoted in one of the unidentified obits). I have my grandfather, and a great aunt and uncle who still remember watching Adney wing walk and hang from the planes by his teeth. In fact, my PaPa told me Adney had a son named Leland Lirette, who lives in California. (We don't know where- if you find him, let us know).      I have a few obituaries. One is from the Times Picayune in New Orleans, Louisiana, (dated May 19, 1922, page 9 column 1) and three others from unidentified papers. I am trying to get more clear copies right now so you can see his picture better. Please let me know how I can help. Thank you very much, Mary

 

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES - 2 via email from John (Jeff) F. Waguespack, Jr., 6-11-2004 Dear Dr. Cooper:      Just a little more on my Uncle Adney. I lived at 1313 Milan in 1922. I was four years old. My mother Aline Lirette Waguespack was two years older than her brother, Adney. I met Adney's son, Leland, in about 1935 while we were visiting our uncle Alexander Lirette, who managed a plantation (Waterproof, I think) just outside Houma, La. Leland returned to California after his visit.       I flew B-17's during WWII, after flying Piper Cub's with a private pilots license from 1938. My uncle Edgar Lirette greatly admired his older brother, Adney and spoke of him often. John (Jeff) F. Waguespack, Jr. Air Force Village II #446, San Antonio, TX 78245 (jwaguespack@satx.rr.com)

 

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