The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-04-14
Chicago Inventor Is of the Be-
lief that Chas. Clinton
Of Dodge City, Is the Maker OF
the Ship
SEEN BY CHICAGOANS.
Saw the Kansas Mans Plans
at Patent Office.
Cigar Shaped, Has Wings and
Two Engines.

Chicago, April 14.-OScar D. Booth of
1873 South Peoria street, who himself
claims to have solved the problem OF
aerial navigation, firmly believes the
strange object seen by Chicagoans is
indeed an air ship.
He thinks the mysterious craft was
made and is being operated by an in
NeEtOr named Charles Clinton, residing
near Dodge City, Ford county, Kan
saS.
The air ship theory set forth in Clin-
toms patent papers on file at Washing
ton, is a true though bungHng solution
of the problem, according to Booth. The
Tact that the curious object was ffSt
seen in Kansas strengthens Booths be-
lief.
The Chicago inventor has not seen
the aerial ship, but wants no further
proof than the word given by so many
reputa Bile citizens.
why couldn't it be an air ship?" he
said testify The reason so many peo-
pie doubt the reports is they do not be-
Heve in air ships. Aerial navigation is
possible. 1t is easy, and in a few weeks
I will prove it by myself flying far
above the earth.
That a machine has already been
launched and is even now soaring
through the air, I have little doubt.
Why, various persons have seen the
wings and the cigar shaped car. They
are not all fools, and the reports come
from so many places, too"
Referring to the Kansas ship, Booth
His machine is practical, I am sure.
When I first read of the air ship being
seen over Kansas, 1 ran through the
papers in my possession to see what in
VeEtOr resided in Kansas. I found the
plans which this Ford county man has
filed. He has wings, or large propell-
ors. Placed at both ends of his cigar
shaped car, and has two engines. Above
is a balloon. The general shape of this
machine corresponds with the descrip-
ton given of the one flying over Chica-
go. 1t is likely the same one"
DO you not think it unlikely a man
could build and launch his machine in
the air and keep it secret?"
mot at all. I judge that the flying
machine seen over Chicago is one made
only for a trial trip-prObably a small
one.
1t would be very easy to take me-
dunn sized ship to a secluded place, put
together the parts and start it off. Now,
with my invention" and when he said
my invention his eyes Frightened and
he talked more rapidly could leave
Chicago without soul knowing il. My
car is but nine feet long, and could cas-
lily be drawn to some quiet spot"
Booth expects to be cutting the clouds
side by side, perhaps, with his Kansas
rival, within month.
4 have everything ready but the bal
LOOM he said, and anxious to prove his
words, he showed his visitor his inven-
ton. Car and frame work were IN
place. Large frames for wings famed
the air as though chatting at delay. A
little engine was complete and ready to
perform its mission.
AS soon as Secretary F. H. Benjamin
of the Booth Flying Machine company
returns to Chicago from Montana
which will be within a few weeks
New York parties Will be ordered to
commence work on the balloon. which
forms an upper part of the machine.
The start for the trial trip will be
made not later than the end of May.