Dead in Necropolis: Lincoln Beachey

As Halloween approaches it seems appropriate to focus some attention on a couple of the famous ghosts from Doug Dorst's Alive in Necropolis, this year's One City One Book pick. First up is the dashing and daring aviator, Lincoln Beachey!

In the novel, Beachey's ghost uses his daredevil skills to help unravel the mystery that plagues the peace of Colma's cemeteries. It is a characterization that is not unlike the living Beachey who stunned audiences world wide by attempting speed records and death-defying tricks like loops and flying upside down, making him an instant hero. Unfortunately, it was one of these tricks that proved Beachey's mortality as he crashed into the San Francisco Bay in front of a crowd of 250,000 at the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition.

Since the SF History Center owns the newspaper clippings morgue from the San Francisco Examiner from 1901-1981, I decided to do a little digging and see what I could come up with. While there were plenty to choose from, I picked this article to share:

Portion of the article "Lincoln Beachey's Ghost, Plane Seen" from S.F. Chronicle, April 1, 1922. From the San Francisco Examiner 1901-1981 clippings morgue, at the San Francisco Public Library's San Francisco History Center where the article can be viewed in its entirety.

It seems that Mr. Dorst may not be that far off when his characters notice a vintage plane flying erratically over Colma. The article from April 1, 1922 states:

Visions of a ghostly aviator hovering in a phantom plane around the hangar used by the late Lincoln Beachey, who plunged to his death at the Panama-Pacific exposition, have thrown residents of Bay Farm island into a panic, according to Harry Young, tender of the bridge connecting the island with the mainland.

As Halloween approaches, take a look up in the sky. Perhaps you'll hear the faint strains of "Too Much Mustard" and catch a glimpse of the dashing pilot waving at you as he flies upside down. You never know.[Lincoln Beachey flying over the Exposition grounds] c1914. Photo courtesy of the San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection, San Francisco Public Library.