St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-29
A PEEILoUs RIDE
"A Old Mans eHsHeoeSsfHI Trial Of a
N~tc Flying Maehfsa-.


Zephaniab Phelps, Of Hartford, Conn, Is
man seventy-fye years Of age, aud cores
pondent OF the New York Word says Is re-
garded By the few OF his neighbors whs
know him as a crank. Phelps lives 10 an ole
hut In the woods near Avon, and has fol
years devoted All bis attention % mechanics
inventions. He has tao pet hobbies, per
petual motion and an erial navigating craft
incidentally he has devised sevrrl machines
which in no case have been patented. Many
years ago he aPpliedsor patent but faiIrC
20 obtain il, aud, disguised with the who'll,
system, be made no subsequent attempts L
secure legal protection for 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 Jersey. The whole region ia
which he lives Is thrOnged with people Of hi:
name, but Zephaniah belongs TO a branch
now almost extinct. lie married early IN
life. but for years has been a widnwer. One
daughter was the result OF his matrimonial
venture. She is married, and lives some
where in the vicinity OF West Troy, New
York
WAdsworth tower is tall wooden strue-
ture over 100 feet In height. II Is built on
the summit Of Taleott mountains aud gives
one Of the finest views in the country. It is
fifteen miles from this city and is in summer
favorite resort OF pleasure seekers. In win
ter il is utterly deserted, the keeper, man
named Bartlett, leaving its breezy aud freez.
ing altitude for warmer. II more lowly,
quarters. On Friday morning Zephanial
Pnelps made his way TO the top Of the tower.
lie made several trips, each time carving up
pieces Of machinery. No one interfered with
him, and about 10 O'Clock be had bis latest
machine In order aud ready for use. II con-
sisted OF strong but light gas generator, q
com binatiOn of cOgwheels aud pulIeys and
two light pitch turbine wheels, both arranged
- a Slight angle TO the vertical The whole
contrivance, intending two triangular wings.
weighed about sixty pounds.
The gas generator was easily worked, and
within few minutes both turbines were 90
condition 10 start. The old man opened the
valves, and, seating himself in a loop of rope
suspended under the generator, pushed
bis machine from the tower
The turbines lowered rapidly ani
the flying machine and its rider moved
slowly away. For moment the machine
rose few feet aud then began to drop.
Phelps found his generator losing power
with every second and attempted TO discover
the cause. By some mistake be opened the
discharge valve and instantly was falling
rapidly, with his turbine mOtiOnless and use
less. TIE only check on his descent was the
two triangular wings. These spread out and
checked somewhat the descent Sun he fell
With constantly increasing velocity, and after
a descent OF several hundred feet he struck
the trees on the Simsbury plains below. His
fall was broken, but nevertheless be lost bis
bold on the rope loop, and while the machine
caught in the branches, he fell with terrible
force TO the ground below, breaking his hip
aud several ribs.
The old man tainted from the pain aud lay
unconscious for nearly half an hour. Com
ing 10 his senses, his groans finally attracted
the attention OF a chance passer-by, who
came TO his rescue. The old man was nearly
dead from pain and cold, and tainted on
being renewed He was taken 70 a neigh
boring house, about = mile distant, and Is
now lying in a critical condition.