a flying machine In the church’s cemetery is a headstone which reads thus: “In the year 1828 George Pletz did dy in September 17 day.  His age 20 years 1m 10d”.  This lad’s father was John Pletz, a carpenter.  His boys naturally took a liking to his tools.  They, George and John Jr., contrived a flying machine which they were sure would fly over the mountain to their Uncle Bickles.  On the date above, they tried it by placing it in a tree.  Instead of it reaching the Uncles, it came down with a crash.  John broke his arm.  George broke his neck, and died, the first matyr in the U.S. in aviation.  Very likely the father cut the tombstone transcription.  [Other histories list George’s brother as Christ Pletz.] [Back to tales of 1700s and 1800s ]