Aeronautics: Ringling of the Air

Slumped in his Manhattan apartment one early morning last week Ivan Rhuele Gates said to his wife: "I think I'll jump out of the window." His wife ran to him, clutched his waist, pleaded with him to listen. Brawny Ivan Gates ignored her, walked to the window, climbed upon the sill and—nearly dragging his small wife with him—jumped. Thus, dismally, died "Van" Gates, 42, Ringling of the flying circus era. Frustrated by the boom of commercial aviation. Van Gates had lost his money, his health. Few weeks ago he was operating "museums" on Broadway and at Coney Island where indigent artists...

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