Captain Frank Foster Frakes: The Daredevil of the Air.
- Michael Dykhorst
- Jan 6
- 6 min read
CLICK ON ANY PHOTO OR NEWSPAPER ARTICLE TO ENLARGE AND READ.
THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN BECAUSE I FOUND A POSTCARD OF THE CRASH TALKED ABOUT IN THIS ARTICLE ON eBAY. PLEASE ENJOY!
In July 1936, Captain Frank Foster Frakes, gave the Sheridan WYO Rodeo audience a spectacle they would never forget. Known as the "daredevil of the air," Frakes made his living by crashing airplanes into burning buildings as a daring stuntman. His reputation for thrill-seeking and high-risk entertainment drew him to events across the nation, and the Sheridan WYO Rodeo was no exception.
The July 13, 1936, edition of The Sheridan Press announced Frakes’ upcoming stunt with the bold headline: “Flyer to Crash Plane Head-On Into Burning House at Rodeo." It was reported that Frakes, a nationally recognized barnstormer, would crash a speeding airplane into a burning house constructed in the rodeo grounds. Frakes was no ordinary pilot. He was already a household name in barnstorming—a form of aviation entertainment that captivated audiences with death-defying stunts. Known for his breathtaking performances and unwavering courage, Frakes epitomized the larger-than-life persona of the barnstormer. The house was specially built near the grandstand to ensure maximum visibility for the crowd. The stunt, touted as the "thrill of the century," was one of the most daring exhibitions planned for any event in the country that year. Frakes was expected to crawl out of the wreckage moments before it, too, was consumed by flames.
The article details Frakes’ notoriety, explaining how his acts were among the most costly stunts ever staged in Wyoming. His performance fees were high due to the extraordinary risks involved. For spectators, it promised to be a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle. For federal authorities, it was a reckless gamble with lives and safety. The rodeo committee’s decision to bring him to Sheridan wasn’t without controversy. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) opposed his activities, considering them reckless and dangerous. However, Frakes threatened to sue the Sheridan WYO Rodeo if the contract wasn’t honored. The newspaper headline from The Sheridan Press, June 22, 1936 stated, “Pilot defies federal officials, refuses to cancel Rodeo crash: Frakes contends stunt is not law violation and says he’ll be here despite warning U.S. Inspector also to attend.”
Above Left: July 13, 1936, edition of The Sheridan Press that announced Frakes’ upcoming stunt at the Sheridan WYO Rodeo.
Above Right: July 3, 1936, edition of The Sheridan Press, showing a previous stunt of Frakes’, that he would be repeating for the townspeople of Sheridan on the second night of the Sheridan WYO rodeo.
As Frakes’ scheduled performance drew near, the CAA stepped in to block it. They argued that the stunt posed an unacceptable risk, not just to Frakes but also to the thousands of spectators expected to attend. The federal agency’s concerns were valid, given the precarious nature of early aviation and the potential for catastrophe. However, the intervention ignited a clash between federal oversight and local determination. Frakes, backed by his attorneys, was prepared to fight. A telegram from his legal team to the Sheridan WYO Rodeo Board underscored the seriousness of his intent: “Frakes attorneys insist upon fulfillment of crash contract... We are in duty bound to go through.” The message was clear—failure to honor the agreement would result in legal action.’
Faced with mounting pressure from both sides, the rodeo board, led by attorney R.E. McNally, made a bold decision. They sided with Frakes, refusing to yield to the CAA’s demands. Their stance wasn’t just about honoring a contract; it was a testament to the town’s grit and the rodeo’s commitment to its audience.
The preparations for the stunt were as meticulous as they were extraordinary. The rodeo grounds buzzed with activity as a special wooden house was constructed near the grandstand, ensuring maximum visibility for the crowd. The house, designed to be consumed by flames, was as much a part of the spectacle as Frakes himself. It symbolized the spectacle's sheer audacity—a visual representation of Sheridan’s willingness to push boundaries.
Local newspapers heightened the excitement with dramatic headlines and detailed descriptions of what was to come. For the people of Sheridan and the thousands of rodeo-goers, this was more than just entertainment; it was a moment of collective anticipation and pride. The rodeo’s reputation as one of the nation’s premier events was at stake, and the community rallied behind Frakes and the board.
BELOW ARE OTHER NEWSPAPER ARTICLES ABOUT FRAKES CRASH.
The Day of the Stunt: A High-Stakes Spectacle
On the second day of the rodeo, July 16, 1936, the atmosphere at was electric. As thousands of spectators watched in awe from the packed grandstands, their excitement tempered by an undercurrent of apprehension. Frakes, ever the showman, played to the crowd, exuding confidence despite the risks involved as he took to the skies for his death-defying act. As the stunt unfolded, the tension was palpable. Frakes piloted his plane with precision, hurtling toward the burning house in a display of daring that left the audience breathless. The moment of impact was a spectacle of fire and debris, a vivid realization of the “thrill of the century.” True to his reputation, Frakes emerged from the wreckage, unscathed and triumphant, to the thunderous applause of an awestruck crowd. He was then whisked away by ambulance to Memorial Hospital. Shortly thereafter, he quietly left town, traveling to Billings, Montana. In a letter to the rodeo committee from Billings, Frakes quipped, “I’m not exactly running away from the law…I just rode up here.”
The Sheridan Press Headline on July 17, 1936 read “Plane Crash Thrills Rodeo Crowd, Frakes, Unhurt In Stunt Flees State at Once”
According to an article at left, The plane was stripped as souvenir hunters worked for hours stripping the plane of fabric, wood and everything detachable. Fox movietone Cameraman LeRoy Orr filmed the crash in sound and photographed a fake rescue. Searching for this movie reel has turned up no results. It may exist in the Archives at the University of South Carolina, the repository which houses the Fox Movietone collection, but it has not been digitized.
The 1936 Sheridan WYO Rodeo was a wild ride in the town’s history, all thanks to Captain Frank Foster Frakes and his jaw-dropping airplane crash! With a dazzling mix of flair, drama, and a sprinkle of reckless bravery, he became a local legend, capturing the thrill of the times. The rodeo committee, the cheering crowd, and even Elsa Spear Byron’s snapshot (below) made sure Frakes’ epic stunt would be etched in memory forever!
Frakes’ successful performance cemented his status as a legend and reinforced the Sheridan WYO Rodeo’s reputation for unparalleled entertainment. Yet, the stunt’s success did little to quell the controversy. The CAA, though unable to prevent the act, maintained its criticism, emphasizing the inherent dangers of such performances. For the rodeo board, the decision to support Frakes was vindicated. Their defiance of federal authority was a calculated risk that paid off, solidifying the rodeo’s place in history. The event also highlighted broader themes of local autonomy and the tension between regulation and freedom—a dynamic that continues to resonate in discussions about governance and individual rights. Shortly after his stunt two newspaper articles from the Sheridan Press were published a little snipit from Frakes. The first was July 19, 1936, it stated the Sheridan Press received a letter from Capt. F.F. Frakes. (see article below right) The second article was published on August 11, 1936. (see article below left ).
Captain Frank Foster Frakes went on an lived a fairly long life passing away at age 74 in 1970. He is buried at Rose Hill Cemetery in Columbia, Tennessee.
Tom Ringley wrote an article on Frakes for the Sheridan Press on April 10, 2020.
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