Reprint of newspaper Article

Glendale News 6-20-30

WYKOFF WILDLY GREETED

WHEN HE FLIES HOME

GLENDALE NEWS PRESS -- 6-20-28

   Click above photograph to enlarge

Home Town Boy Makes Good!  Reel Life?  No!  Real Life!

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ALL CITY UNITES IN WELCOME TO FASTEST HUMAN

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Sprint Champion "Kidnapped"

On Arrival; Luncheon,

Parade Staged

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Frank Wykoff flew home today.  The fleet world-record holding sprinter, whose winged feet have carried him to greater speeds than any other human ever has run, dropped from the sky at the Grand Central airport at 11 o'clock this morning.

Kidnapping Staged

Showing that his fellow citizens of Glendale appreciate the efforts he has made to bring fame to the city, a crowd of 300 persons was at the airport to meet him.

Three officers of the Glendale Junior Chamber of Commerce added excitement to the homecoming by kidnapping Wykoff from his train at the East Los Angeles station and spiriting  him away from the crowds at the Union station in Los Angeles.

Handcuffs Applied

He was handcuffed and carried aloft to be brought safely into the arms of his friends and family when the plane dropped to the ground at the airport.

Officials in charge of the parade of welcome were apprised of the kidnapping shortly after Wykoff was taken from the train, and altered their plans, meeting the sprinter at the airport.

Greeted By Parents

As he was lifted from the plane by L. H. "Dutch" Reid, vice-president of the Glendale Junior Chamber of Commerce, Maurice Hitchcock, secretary, and Harry Meltor, a director, he fell into the waiting arms of his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford C. Wykoff.

After shaking hands with Mayor C. E. Kimlin, who officially welcomed him home after his eastern cinder path triumphs, the sprinter looked anxiously through the crowd.

Sweetheart In Crowd

Standing on the outskirts, blushing in happiness, was the object of his searching eyes.

With a happy cry, Ethel Mae Richardson, the sprinters sweetheart, made a leap for his arms and received the most enthusiastic greeting of any of those in the party.

Other greetings from Dean Cromwell, his coach at U. S. C.; Dr. T. C. Young, president of the Chamber of Commerce; civic officials, city officeholders and friends were voiced as the party formed into a parade which wended through the downtown streets while an enthusiastic populace accorded honor.

Sprinter Also Flies

After the kidnapping this morning, the party was compelled to fly around over Southern California for a considerable time in the Lockheed plane piloted by "Ace" Bragunier of Curtiss-Wright flying service.

Wearying of constant scenery, Wykoff asked for the controls and amazed the passengers in the ship with his ability to handle the craft in the air.  He cruised around for fifteen minutes, showing the boys a few tricks with the ailerons.

Civic Luncheon Held

Following the parade through the downtown streets, the assemblage gathered at the Tuesday Afternoon club for a civic luncheon at which the track star was to be further honored.

Members of the Rotary, Kiwanis and Optimist clubs gave up their regular meetings to co-operate in the gathering.  More than 350 were in attendance at this function.

Mayor Presides

Mayor C. E. Kimlin acted as toastmaster at the luncheon.  More than 350 were present.  The tables were decorated in the cardinal and black colors of Glendale High school, Wykoff's own prep school.

The Glendale Fire department orchestra played several numbers preceding the talks.  Wykoff spoke last on the program.

Honor Guest Speaks

"I wish you could all be in my boots and feel the way I do," the world champion responded when called upon after the other talks.

"You'll never know how I appreciate this welcome and how it makes me feel.  I want you to know that I give my parents all of the credit for helping build my body to the proper place from which the coaches have taught me how to increase speed.

Friendship Expressed

"I want you people to help me.  You must realize that I like you all and if I ever pass you, and fail to speak it is not because I am too conceited but because I have failed to recognize you.  I want you to all know that you are my friends."

Dean Cromwell, coach at the University of California, told of the experiences of the track team on its recent successful eastern trip.

Set For Victory

"All year long I have been gunning for Brother (George) Simpson," Cromwell said. "At Cambridge I knew Frank could win in stride and he did without exertion.

"At Chicago it was different.  The eastern and mid-western coaches stated that no body could beat Simpson.  I yessed them to death, but I knew Wykoff was set for victory.

"He broke away at the starting line in a perfect start with all the other competitors absolutely even with him.  Simpson, if anybody, had a little the best of the start and all the way down the stretch Frank was pulling away from the Ohio runner.

Predicts Faster Time

"The announcer must have lost money.  He said Frank won by six inches, the papers said by eighteen inches and the pictures show that he won by two yards.

"Frank Wykoff has not yet reached the peak of his ability.  He will run the 100 in 9 1-5 seconds before he leaves college two years from now."

Mayor Kimlin in welcoming Wykoff home stated that it was a pleasure to welcome "The fastest going human in the world home again to one of the fastest growing cities."

Death Race Recalled

He thanked the sprint champion for the honors he has brought to Glendale.

Dr. T. C. Young, president of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce told of Wykoff's former races -- one with death two years ago, which he won.  He predicted a great future for him.

Kidnapping Explained

The kidnapping episode was explained by L. H. "Dutch" Reid, vice-president of the Glendale Junior Chamber of Commerce, who was in charge of the stunt.

Don Ashbaugh, vice-president in charge of athletics for the junior chamber, praised Wykoff briefly.

W. G. Lauderdale, president of the Glendale Merchant's association, and L. H. Wilson , president of the Glendale Realty board, voiced their appreciation.

George U. Moyse, principal of Glendale High school, told of Wykoff's unswerving work to aid boys and related some things that have hitherto been unknown about his work with underprivileged youth.

Pastor Pays Tribute

Dean Charles A. Nelson of the Glendale Junior college recounted some of the experiences while Wykoff was a student there for one year, facetiously remarking that "Frank could always be seen holding one of our co-ed's hands in the hall -- but I think it was the same one each time."

Tribute to the champion as a "clean and upright young man" was given by Rev. C.A. Cole, pastor of Wykoff's church, the Central Christian, and president of the Glendale Ministerial association.

Parents Introduced

Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Wykoff, the parents, were introduced by Mayor Kimlin and won a stupendous ovation.

Dr. Fay Stone, president, of the Glendale Trojan club, read a letter from the president of the University of Southern California Alumni association, voicing the appreciation of former students of the university for the honors Wykoff had brought to it.

The early athletic triumphs of Wykoff in his high school career were briefly recounted by Normal C. Hayhurst, vice-principal of Hoover High school and the youth's first coach at Glendale High.

Early Races Cited

Hayhurst told of Wykoff running a 100-yard dash in 10 1-5 seconds as a freshman and gradually cutting this time until he became national junior A.A.U. champion in his junior year and national sprint champion in his senior year.

He told of the great record set at Boston in the final Olympic tryouts and paid tribute to the champion as "one of the finest boys I have every known and one I would love to have for my own son."

It's His Day

Songs were led during the meeting by J. Arthur Myers of the Rotary Club.

It's Wykoff day in Glendale today.

The city pays its tribute to "a home-town boy who has made good."