Spider Matlock

William Earnest "Spider" Matlock (June 30, 1901, St. Joseph, Missouri – January 27, 1936[1]) was an American stuntman, stunt pilot, car racing promoter, driver and mechanic.When the performers did not show up, Ronald MacDougall, a part-owner of the airport, persuaded Matlock (a student at the aviation school[3]) and Ken Nichols to help him.[5][6] Each of the Black Cats was supposed to have a name that was 13 letters long, which is how Matlock acquired the nickname "Spider", MacDougall got "Bon" and Nichols "Fronty".[9] The first time, Matlock was flung 200 feet (61 m), but landed on some grass and only suffered a collarbone broken in three places.[1] He appeared as himself (uncredited) in the 1932 auto racing film The Crowd Roars, starring James Cagney.
Matlock in 1935
Some of the 13 Black Cats , circa 1925. Matlock is in the front row, kneeling on the far right.
St. Joseph, MissouriRonald MacDougallwing walkers13 Black Catsaviationriding mechanic1930 Indianapolis 500Billy ArnoldErnie TriplettAl GordonAscot SpeedwayThe Crowd RoarsJames CagneyLos Angeles TimesAssociated PressSan Diego Air & Space MuseumAbilene Reporter-NewsNewspapers.comCentennial of Flight CommissionIndianapolis TimesNational Audio-Visual Conservation Centerwing walking"Bon" MacDougall