The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-18
WRIGHT TALKS.
Says He Could Have Landed His
Machine Safely
If He Had Been so Feet Higher
in the Air.
STOPPED THE MOTOR
When the Trouble First Became
Apparent.
Has Not Yet Been Told of Sell
fridge's Death.
STOPPED THE MOTOR

washington, sept. 1o+-bOlH lay
lor and Furnass, his assistants, visited
Orville Wright, the injured aeronaut.
today. Wright told Taylor that he
stopped the motor after the ac-
cident happened in the air.
From the latest accounts of close
eye witnesses, the piece broken from
the propeller struck one of the sup
ports of the rudder. The machine
did not travel far before it started to
swing around on it's own axis to the
left 1t did not overturn as was the
general impression given to specta-
tors at the far end of the field but the
left side veered downward. Mr.:
Wright again regained his lateral
equilibrium but the machine then
plunged forward, striking the ground
with terrific force. Mr. Wright be-
lieves that he would have been able to
land safely had he been so feet
higher in the air at the time of the
accident Another theory advanced
the supports Of the rudder snapped
off and was struck by the propeller
which in turn was broken off. This
would cause the other propeller to
swing the machine around.
Lieutenant Frank P. Lahm of the
signal corps, who was among those
first on the scene, Immediately took
evidence from the eye witnesses. An
inquiry by the signal corps board
will be held and report forwarded
has been heard at Fort Myer from
Lieutenant Selfridge's rather in San
Francisco and his mother and
brother, who are supposed to be in
Boston. Until word is received from
the family the body of the un-
Fort Myer hospital. 1t is possible
that an autopsy will be held to deter
mine whether his death was due to
the fracture at the base Of the skull
or from some other injury.
The split on Wright's leg was ad-
justed this morning. AS the hours
passed his condition continued to be
favorable although at 10 o'clock it
was stated at the hospital that he had
a slight fever. This however, was
Wright would be able to see his sister
when she arrived this afternoon.
Today the wrecked machine was in
the shed where it has been housed
since it has been at Fort Myer and
the windows and doors are nailed
down.
By direction of the war department
a stake has been driven where Sell
fridge fell, with a view to some time
erecting a monument to his memory.
Officers of the aeronatical board to-
day began at FIT. Myer a formal in
port to the department.
Following an interview with Wright
today, Taylor, who has been Wright's
assistant for over eight years, talked
of plans for building a new machine.
Turning to Furnass, the other assist
ant, he said:
How long would it take to get ma
terial here and rebuild the machine?"
about three weeks" said Furnass.
1.-THE motor is intact" said Taylor.
"Of course the rest of the machine is
a total wreck"
1.-The greatest loss to Mr.. Wright
said F'urnass, lis the fact that he will
be unable to do anything this winter.
While it would take but few hun
dred dollars to replace the aeroplane
provided the motor is in good condi-
ton, the loss of opportunity to make
further flights and secure the $4,000
from the United States government will
seriously impede Mr.. Wright"
Octave Chanute, one of Wright's
closest friends, chatted with Wright for
a few minutes today.
Mr.. Wright was suffering from lit
tie pain. He is beginning to feel the
soreness" said Mr.. Chanute. II told
him about family matters and gave
him a message from Mr.. Flint, saying
that anything of financial assistance
or anything else he might desire was
at his disposal Mr.. Wright will be told
of Lieutenant Selfridge's death as soon
as the operation on his leg is perform
ed. He was feeling in fairly good
spirits"
Wilbur Wright today cabled here a
request that an accurate description
of the accident be sent him by cable