Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-09-18
WR|GHI'S AEROPLANE
MEETS WITH MISHAP.
CONTINUED from Page One.)

when 1t passed over the starting appara-
tus for the first time. There was a six
mile WIND and the machine did not run
as smoothly as on its former flights. most
of which were made in calm weather
The aeroplanists, however. apparently
had control Of the aerial flyer, which rose
to height of IS feet as it completed the
second round of the field. This height
was maintained on the third round.
While the machine was turning at the
southern end of the field several thous-
and feet from the spectators. someone
shouted:
What is that? Something FELL
Immediately all eyes We're on the aero
plan" and 1t was seen to turn over on Its
left side and, pausinC a moment, made a
complete turn and then came SwoOping
to the earth in a cloud Of dust. No effort
on the part of the aviator could possibly
have averted the accident. Planes and
rudders We're absolutely incapable of
Fighting the machine when it had turned
In that manner
Several officers who were standing
around the starting apparatus ordered the
mounted soldiers over to the wreck. but
spectators. soldiers. officers and newspa-
per men were already running across the
field. 1t was fully a minute before any
one reached the wreck.
The mounted soldiers formed Gordon
while others frenziedly endeavored to lift
the machinery and wood that pinioned
Wright and Sclflidge to the ground. The
lieutenants face was covered with blood
and he was grooming and choking from
internal hemorrhages. Orville Wright lay
by Ills side, his face as pale as the mass
of white muslin overhead. He was con-
scious and asked that tie machine be
lifted off his leg.
'Oh. but it will hurt when they touch
that Leg said Mr.. Wright. Piece after
piece of the wooden frame work was
broken off as half dozen men endeavor-
ed to free the injured men.
AS soon as they were extricated their
clothes were loosened and their wounds
bandaged. Attendants from the hospita al
FASTENED across the field to the place
where the machine lay and as soon as
possible Mr.. Wright and Lieutenant Self
ridge were laid on stretchers and carried
to the hospital. The gasoline tank had
been pierced when the machine crashed to
the ground and there was fear that some
person might cone too near with a light
ed cigar or cigarette and add an explo-
sion to the disaster. The soldiers, how
ever. kept the crowd at safe distance.
After surgical examination it was
announced at the hospital that Lieu
tenant Selfridge was in a critical con-
ditiOn. having suffered fracture at
the base of the skull.
Major Crosby. Major McCaw, Major
Ireland and Captain Bailey. the army
surgeons attending the injured men,
gave out the following statement:
'Mr. Wright has fractures of the
left thigh and several ribs on the right
side. He was much shocked, but has
reacted well. Lieutenant Selfridge re-
ceived q fracture of the base of the
SKULL
Soma of the surgeons expressed the
opinion that Lieutenant Selfridge prob
ably would die. They took him to the
operating room and removed the part
OF the broken skull over the left eye.
which was causing commissions.
At $40 o'clock Lieutenant Selfridge
died He had not regained conscious
ness. He was expecting his mother,