Pike County GaArchives Obituaries.....Ballard, Alton Powell August 1, 1938
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Lynn Ballard Cunningham http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00011.html#0002535 February 11, 2013, 12:34 am

The Pike County Journal, Friday, August 5, 1938

Former Pike Boy Killed in Airplane Crash Monday
Alton P. Ballard Meets Instant Death in Woods; Motor Trouble Cause.

Alton P. Ballard, former student of Zebulon High School and resident of Pike 
county, was killed Monday, August 1, when the cabin plane in which he and two 
others were riding crashed in the woods about three miles from Baxley, Ga. All 
three met instant death and were burned beyond recognition.

The six-seated plane had taken off from the Baxley airport bound for Atlanta 
just a few minutes before it crashed. Observers said the engine had apparently 
stopped after they had gone to were 3 miles, and the pilot appeared to attempt 
a forced landing in a field.

Plane Misses Field

The plane missed the field. In descending it ripped into a group of trees, 
burst into flames and was destroyed.

Besides Ballard, Walter Hammett of Hapeville and Wright Leggett, of Baxley met 
death in the crash. They had been in Baxley several days, talking up passenger 
for hire. The plane developed engine trouble Sunday and after temporary 
repairs on Monday, the fliers headed for Atlanta to have the motor overhauled.

Ballard Was Mechanic

Alton was a mechanic at the Candler Airport, where he had been employed three 
years. He owned the plane jointly with Albert Seamon, of Atlanta, and has 
made "barnstorming" trips throughout Georgia for several years.

He is survived by his widow and a two-year-old son, Randall. His parents, Mr. 
and Mrs. W. P. Ballard, live near Zebulon. In addition, he leaves six brothers 
and four sisters. The brothers are John H., Roswell, C.F., Troy, Melvin and 
William Ballard. The sisters are Mrs. Henry Williamson, Hattie, Oressa and 
Frances Ballard.

Nephew of Doug Davis

Alton attended school at Zebulon in the middle twenties, but received his high 
school diploma from the old Sixth District A&M school at Barnesville in 1928. 
After graduating from high school he went to Candler field as an assistant to 
his uncle, the nationally famous Doug Davis.

Following the death of Doug Davis in an air race, Alton continued at the 
Atlanta airport as a mechanic. His barnstorming tours were conducted "on the 
side."

Double Funeral

Double funeral services were held for Ballard and Hammett at Hapeville First 
Baptist Church on Wednesday, August 3. Revs. Z. E. Barron, J. M. Hendley and 
J. W. Graham officiated. Burial was at the College Park Cemetery, under the 
direction of H. M. Patterson & Son.

Friends, relatives and former schoolmates throughout Pike county in Georgia 
extends sympathy to the family of Alton P. Ballard.


Additional Comments:
Alton Powell Ballard, b. 06 April 1908, d. 01 August 1938. He was the son of 
William Powell Ballard and his wife Susie Mae Davis Ballard.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/pike/obits/b/ballard2877nob.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/gafiles/

File size: 3.4 Kb