The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-09-02

from its moorings. and sent on
course of many miles with Reynolds
as operator.
Leaving the grandstand at an early
hour in the afternoon, Mr.. Reynolds
viii rise thousands of feet into the
air. He will plow the blue main of
the. skies. After encircling the fair
grounds a few times way up in the
clouds, he will direct his ship towards
the city, and parade its streets with
out ever touching asphalt. brick,
stone or dirt. The ordinance pro-
hibiting driving on Sidewalks, over
lawns, over gardens. and through
private property, win have no effect
on him. He will do as he pleases, for
he will be beyond the jurisdiction of
the law, even though the statute
books may say that a man owns his
property from the boundary lines on
earth, clear up as far as space goes.
The police won't be able to nab him,
unless they are of the Happy Hooli-
gan kind, and those things only ex-
1st in the funny pages of Sunday
newspapers.
Come Ride With Me About the
State House Dome" will form the
theme for new popular song after
Mr.. Reynolds finishes his downtown
trip. He is planning to encircle the
high tower, and pass SO close to it so
as to be able to fasten a flag to the
balcony.
A4tCt Ills uOWulOW0 TRIP is completed,
Mr.. Reynolds will return to the fair
grounds and give an exhibition of
fancy air skating in front of the
grandstand. He will demonstrate the
wonderful control which he has over his
machine.
The sensation of riding on an air shin
is peculiar, say those who have exper-
fenced it. Secretary Charles Sam
son tells the following of a trip above
the ground in San Antonio in an air
ship:
AS the machine was cut loose. the
great wings began to CULVER The oars
dipped down and then up, light as a
feathery motion. Fear came into nv
throat. Gradually we began to lift
above the range of house tops. higher
and higher. Soon the people below were
but tiny specks.
Then we were out of reach of voice
and noise. A strange silence settled all
about US. So calm, so easy. so peace
full, so graceful was the ascent, that
my fear vanished and in its place came
a strange desire to fly away off and
float forever in the air
Ihe restlesSneSS, the hustle the
smell OF the city, were all gone and in
ITS place an exquisite feeling of some
thlng immense. Perhaps it was the
magnitude of space that overcame me
could not analyze it. Only I knew that
felt safe and secure.
Mr.. Reynolds paused in mid-air and
rested on the oars, just as you or have
done on the water in a boat The ma
chine f1oated slightly, going neither ur
or down. however.
Then the wings were dipped again
and slowly we went down The sense
OF being close to habitation and animal
NE again came to my mind. I heard
the people cheering below. Slowly and
gracefully the kite settled down on the
ground as lightly as thistle down.
II takes an expert to handle an air
snip. Though the shell is but a simple
device, great care and judgment mus
be used in making the proper ballast
Bags OF rock are used for this purpose
A board is in the bottom of the shell
10 place the feet against Two oars arc
screwed into the sides of the scuU. Above
IS a gas bag held by a fish cord to The
Sculi and that is all that there is to the
machine except that the ends of the
oars are great bats wings.
All the aeronaut does is to seat him
SELF, be sure that his ballast is right
ana tnen pull at his oars 1t is no diff.
ferent than rowing boat
Alva L. Reynolds is the inventor =.
the boat which will be here during th,
fair week. He. himself will give III,
exhibitions He has promised to give :
ride to some Topeka people. and in tha
way you may be able to hear from neo
pie you know, just what it feels like +,
ride in an airship.
The airship will be on exhibition ever,
day and night on the grounds and in
formation concerning il will be given a
regular intervals in the shane of lee
lures. 1t is one of the things that vo1
don't want to miss next week. It is on
of list of large fine attractions whicl
the state Ia1r people will have congre
gated next week south of the city