The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-13
MR.. TOLLVER'S AIR SHIP
Model Of the Flying Machine
Tested on Saturday.
1T is BUILT OF ALUMINIUM
The Model. Though Crudeiy Constructed
Fioatsd Through the Air for Sew
eral Minutes What Its In
vsnsor Proposes to Do.

Belt, Dec. 12.-For three years IL has
been generally known throughout Cas-
cade county that c.. II. Tolliver. a
rancher living near Kirby. was spend
ing much Of his time and money in the
perfecting OF plans for a flying ma
chine which he roposes to build.
While Mr.. Tolliver has the reputation
OF being able to accomplish almost any
thing which he undertakes. very little
attention has been paid to his flying
machine proposition. The people were
inclined to be skeptical and imagined
that Mr.. Tolliver. like Tesla n some
other men OF great genius. was possess
ed of a theory which. when put to prac-
ical test, would develop many insur-
mountable obstacles.
During the past year Mr.. Tolliver has
had a machinist employed at his ranch
building a model of his deal flying ma
chine Last Saturday he brought the
model to Belt and tested its workings
at the power house of the Anaconda
| company. Mr.. Tolliver may not have a
flying machine, but he succeeded in
convincing a number of the interested
spectators that he has the right idea.
The model is about 20 inches in length.
Is built entirely of aluminium, and while
it's mechanism is simple and ingenious,
the workmanship is very crude.
Tolliver has followed closely the idea
that a flying machine. TO be success
full. must be able to assume all the mo-
lions and positions OF a bird i'm the cir.
His model has three pairs Of wings,
built of very thin plates OF aluminium.
The wings are so construct
ed that upon the upward
motion. thin aluminium Stats or
valves drop away. thus allowing the air
to pass through the wings. Offering
practically no resistance. on the down.
ward stroke these valves close tightly.
and. d1ven by the tiny engine with
which the model Is equipped, the wings
| offer suffic'ent resistance to mise the
entire machine clear OF the floor.
The test on Saturday was very unsat-
isfactory, owing to the fact that no ar
rangement could he made at the time
to supply the engine with power for
a sufficient period to prove just how
far. or to what height, the machine
would propel itself. In addition to the
wings, there is an air screw on either
end, which Mr.. Tolliver claims will eE-
able him to raise or lower the machine
at will.
IN the CONSTRUCTION VI lldNllilr "
practical use. Mr.. Tolliver will use a
gas car or balloon Of sufficient lifting
capacity to carry the weight of the ma
chine. With the wings. he believes lac
will be able to driv the machine read
lily and with accuracy: though, OF
course. IL will be necessary TO tack with
the wind. just as does a bird IN its
flight. The balloon part OF his air shir
will be OF regulation cigarshape. The
model is not supplied with this neces-
sary factor. and when the men who wit
messed the trial in the power house or
Saturday saw his l,ttle model lift and
support itself several inches from The
floor, many of them were inclined %
believe Mr.. Tolliver's machine would
do all that he claimed for II.
Master Mechanic Bardslev was IN
~terrogated by the Standard reporte,
as to his opinion REGARDING the machine
He smiled and replied that II some ont
would give Tolliyer n complete machine
built after the plan OF the model. n
would not be surprised To see Mr.. Tol
liver sailing through the air with al
the ease and grace OF a swallow. 1t 1
understood that Mr.. Tolliver has SaiC
that when he has a complete machin'
of the size for practical use, he vii
make the following wager: He vii
put up his ranch against $1,000 cash
tina II two American fings are place.
on the rear coach Of the Neihart trail
on it's trip from Great Falls to Neihart
he can take his machine up to tn
slu!ce boxes. perch with II upon IT,
highest peak above the canon througl
which the train passes, swoop down
remove the flags from the moving train
place one on the topmost crag on eth
err side of the canon n then beat tn
train into Neihart.
Mr.. Tolliver conterplates sending {
Chicago for a skilled machinist to as
sist in perfecting his model.