The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-02-23
A FLYING MACHINE.

Tho Invention of Il Preston County Man.
Constructed on Natural Principles.
Special Correspondence Of Ge Iatt'liGtnrr.
KlxGwooD, W. VA, Feb. 22.-Cheat
river rises near the top OF tho ALE.
ghenies and runs down the northwest.
orn side, precipitoua course, marked
by iroth and foam, q distance OF ninety
miles. Then it lncrgcs intotlio broader
life OF tho Monongahola and moves With
the majesty OF 4 large stream toward
the Ohio. Tho Cheat proper makes the
stcepest descent and traverses the Wild
cst and most picturesque region of any
river this side OF the Rocky mountains.
But although its characteristics sure
rage and iroth an6sioatn, there aro pc.
RODS when it Is silent, and passing in n
flushed state between wrinkled ellis
whore midday is darkened rs evening
by tho gloom OF oyerhanging pines.
Now it flows out into the sunshine, be-
tween beautiful banks over which wild
flowers and tall grass nodnnds rave.
As might be eSpected,rthe winter,
floods mako season ofrterror and tho
mountains roar with fright rs the yell
low waves climb their sides. But in
summer tho hills hear sweetest music
played from polished keys OF pebble,
The writer expected to find among the
inhabitants simple country life, thought
moulded blythe local newspaper and
knowledge OF the world limited 10 the
horizon enclosed by their native hills,
but was surprised to find n man who
was not only engaged in+scientiiic eX-
perimcnts OF his own, but perfectly
familiar with and making deductions
from the advanced thought OF the
age. This man is Bernard Crcsslcr, liv-
ing about midway between the source
and mouth OF the river Many years OF
his life have been given 70 the.2s study
OF aeiicl navigation, and hi. beiioyes'fin
the possibility Of flying machine. llo
has done practical shop work on various
kinds oi machinery, and his models
show mechanical skill as we'll as in
vcntivc genius. He belieycs%the Short
est route to the navigation Of the air is
by study OF the perfect machines from
the hands OF the Divine Builder, whose
works are not patented, but ours TO
copy and profit by.
So lar all flying machines have been
made with view to- combat ana over
come the resistance. from theS storms
and air currentsJ with, aninatc power OF
their own, and it is thus that each in
ventor has shown the world his own
idea OF butting heads against the wall.
Undcrtaking.to walk the water by talk
ing along land enough Tor iootholds
would not be more ridiculous. Cress-
ler's, instead OF being Il machine TO an
taeonize, will be builS to utilize tho ac-
ton ofthc air to rise and sail as do the
hawk and other large birds, which by
merely changing tho position OF the
wings ascend beyond the reach OF the
naked eye. Crsssler's explanation OF
the movements and the different posi-
tions taken by the hawk in sailing,
shows the long and close study, and per-:
feet knowledge OF this important secret.
Thus knowing the requirements and the
principles, he says the making OF the
machine is q comparatively easy second
airy matter. Our greatest works OF art
arc our closest limitations OF nature.
| Crcssler's machine will be worn and its
inventor claims will be manipulated in
stinctivcly rs a part OF the body-a
close imitation OF nature, what a Won
derfu! difference in this respect from
the cumbersome machines which are q
combination OF the ship, the railroad
train, and the balloon. In rising in the
air, both the arms and legs are used, and
by a cunning use OF levers and bearings,
exert wonderful strength and actwith
great ease.
This description is necessarily vague,
rs the inventor is rightcously jealous
OF his secret. Mr.. Cressler's means are
limited, and he has been SO lar unable
to employ proper material and means
to make his machine OF 5prnctical use;
but sooner or later lie expects tolnake
a highway OF that element from which
We draw our vitality, that is lying al!
about us, and is ours to enter.