The Keyser, WV News-Tribune newspaper reported the following on May 24,1938:
A ten passenger Bellanca Aircruiser departed from Washington with a stop at Martinsburg, WV, and on to Moorefield, WV, delivering and picking up mail at each stop. Pilot Walter Stonnell, after circling the selected field at the scheduled stop at Keyser, WV felt that the ‘mental hazard’ was too great in setting down the heavy Bellanca and accordingly he flew on to Cumberland (Mexico Farms Airport). However, Congressman Jennings Randolph said he was determined that mail would be flown from Keyser today as he promised. A small two cylinder Aeronca was pressed into service and Pilot Stonnell and Congressman Randolph started for Keyser. A few miles from Keyser, however, the two passengers and the head winds proved too much of a hindrance for the tiny ship and a return to Cumberland was necessary. Congressman Randolph got out and returned to Keyser by car while Stonnell brought the plane here with the mail for Keyser. Three-thousand and forty-two letters were sent from this city by air mail in the Aeronca on return to the connecting Bellanca airplane at Cumberland. Congressman Randolph said that with several other surrounding communities attempting to get regular air mail service he would suggest that concentrated action be taken here. There was a strong possibility that a regular air mail route could be established. He added that about 20,000 air mail letters were flown the second district yesterday.
The Bellanca Aircruiser at Mexico Farms in 1938. The Johnson Aeronca C-3 that did later carry the mail from Cumberland to Keyser.
Floyd Johnson added the following to the story. Floyd stated that Bernard Miltenberger flew the Aeronca and the mail to Keyser, rather than Stonnell, and the Aeronca C-3, used to fly to Keyser, was rented from Curly Bill Johnson of the Cumberland Air Service.
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Wings Over Cumberland 