Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-23
A PERILOUS RIDE.
An Old Mans Unsuccessful Trial of .
New FIYing Machine.

All OIu mans unsuccessful Trial of a
New Flying Machine.
HARTFORD, Dec. 2O.-Zephaniah Phelps is a
man IS years of age, and is regarded by the
few of his neighbors who know him as a
crank. Phelps lives in an old hut in the
woods near Avon, and has for years devoted
all his attention to mechanical inventions.
He has two pet hobbies, perpetual motion and
an aerial navigating craft. Incidentally he
has devised several machines which In no case
have been patented. Many years ago he an
piled for patent but failed to obtain it, and,
disgusted with the whole system, he made no
subsequent attempts to secure legal prOtec
tIon Tor his inventions. The models were
thrown aside and in many cases burned by
their eccentric inventor. Phelps is a distant
relative of Congressman PHELPS OF New Jer-
sey. The whole regiOns in which he lives is
thrOnged with people Of his name, but Zeph-
anIah belongs to a branch now almost ex-
tlnct. lie married early in life, bat for years
mas been WldOWer. One daughte was the
result of his matrimonial venture She is
married and lives somewhere in the vicinity
Of West Troy, n. Y.
WadswOrth tower is a tall wooden struc-
Jure over 100 feet in height. 1t is built on the
summit OF Talcott mountains, and gives one
OF the finest views in the country. 1t is Is
miles from this city, and is in summer a
faVorlte resort of pleasure seekers. In winter
IL is utterly deserted, the keeper, man
named Bartlett, leaving its breezy and
freezing altitude for warmer if more IoWIy
quarters. On Friday morning Zephaniah
Hhelps made his way to the top of the tower.
lie made several trips each time carrying up
pieces of machinery. No one iuterfered with
MN, and about 10 O'Clock he had his latest
machine in order and ready for use. 1t con-
sisted OF strong but light gas generator, a
combination OF coS-Whees and pulleys and
two light pitch turbine wheels, both arranged
at slight angle to the vertical. The whole
contrlvance, including two triangular wings
weighed about 60 pounds
Inc gas generator was easily worked and
within few minutes both turbines were in
condition to start. The old man opened the
valves and seating himself in a loop Of rope
suspended under the generator pushed his
machine from the tower. The turbines low
cred rapidly and the flying machine and It's
rider moved slowly away. For a mo-
began to drop. Phelps found his gen
orator losing Eower with every second
ana attempted TO discover the cause
BY some mistake he opened the discharge
Vaive and instantly was falling rapidly, with
his turbine mOtiOnless and useless Tie only
cheek on his descent were the two triangular
wings. These spread out and checked some
what the descent. Still he fell with con-
sCantly increasing velocity, and after a de-
scent OF several hundred feet he struck the
Trees on the Slmsbury plains below. His fall
was DfOKen, but nevertheless he lost his hold
on tne rope-loop, and while the machine
caught IN the branches, he fell with terrible
force to the ground below, breaking his hip
and several ribs
The old man tainted from the pain and Law
unconscious for nearly half an hour. Coming
10 MS senses, his groans finally attracted the
dGtenIlOn OF q chance passer- bV, who came to
MS rescue. The old man was nearly dead
Irom PAIN ana cold, and tainted on being re-
moved. lie was taken to a neighborng
house about mile distant, and is now lying
IN critical condition