The Washington herald., 1908-09-04
Bounds Through Air.


Bounds Through Air.
Meanwhile Mr Wright was travelling
az a killing pace toward the south end Of
the parade grounds. Now and then his
machine rose and tel Ike waves on the
sea. and foc some distance the bottom
Of the main plane Scraped over the tops
OF the raEweed in the field
When he turned near the entrance 10
the big wall tent. the crowd almost went
wild. Every one was nervous. and eyes
were almost as large as saucers
As Mr. Wright turned. he elevated the
aeroPlane by means of a lever attached 20
the forward planes. The machine. weigh
ing almost loo pounds. made five dis
tinctive leaps of q foot and then settled
on an even keel Near the trolley sta
tion at the Arlington Cemetery gate. Mt
Wright made another turn. and then in
creased the altitude
When he reached the starting point
he was twenty-five feet n the air The
engine was sputterinE as no engine was
ever heard 20 whIrr az Fort NIyer before.
and the properers were making about
go revolutions a minute Mr.. Wright
sag with his back straight against the
supporting cushion of his little seat. his
feet braced against the woodwork hold
ing the forward planes in position. and
both hands Eripped the levers.
GO it. Mr. Wright you're al right"
shouted the spectators Women waved
their umbrellas and handserchiefs. and
Nr Wright's friends called 20 him. but
he paid no heed 20 any one
When few feet past the uouorail
NIr. Wright again twisted the main plane
and made perfect turn 10 81 toward the
tent again The wavy motion of the
aeroplane continued The machine Te-
senbIed a gigantic aIbatross soaring.
II was thought Nr Wright intended 20
land when he returned 10 the starting
point. but when he continued a7iSht
every one believed he intended making
another circle over the parade grounds
Mr. Wright declared after the fight
that such was his intention
Down in n Moment.
Suddenly the aeroplane was seen TO
dart TO the earth and slide about fifteen
feet. A cloud Of dust obscured the ma
chine from view for an instant When it
cleared away the aviator was standing
on the ground in front Of the aeropiane.
Even. one ran down the field TO ascer-
tain TIE reason for the unexpected de
scent. Mr.. Wright was the coolest and
calmest person at Fort RIyer He was
charged upon by the balloon brigade OF
the press. and a score Of excited photog-
raphers eIbowed their way 70 the fore TO
I take shot
One woman. an acquaintance Of Nr-
Wright. rushed b-eath'essly up 70 him.
grasped his hand firmly. and declared
that she was sick with joy" over the ex-
hibition. and that 81 was necessary for
I.a- Z, return IN her home 20 -rc-17~ H.,-
composure.
The right rudder Under the aeroplane
was broken. as was a wooden rod run
ming from the top OF the main plane to
i the skids- The aeroplsne was tilted
slightly 70 the right. and much dust was
/ thrown on the bottom Of the main plane.
( The muslin was bespattered with water
[ from the sturdy little motor. but other
[ wise the aeroplane looked the same as
before the flight began
MAJ Squier and other members OF the
/ seronaUtical board Of test OF the Signal
Corps congratulated Mr.. Wright and in
Z qUired as 10 the sudden descent
The aviator then explained that he turn
{ ed 10 prevent an accident that might have
wrecked his machine and injured or killed
! him
J Instantly approaching the danger con
{ fronting himself and the machine he did
| the only possible thing. and tha- was %
I tilt the forward planes downward and
I land The aeroplane did not descend on
sloping angle, but went directly down.
I having az the time the momentum gath
! cred after sailing seventy-oae seconds
[ at speed close to forty miles. This was
! responsible fc- the breaking Of the run
ner-
| Reckoning the distance around the
I parade grounds to be half a mile. Mr..
I Wright figured that he Travelled three
! quarters Of a mile. He estimated the
/ speed at something more than thirty
eight miles.
The framework Of the machine IS
| made Of West Virginia spruce and ash.
Some one informed Mr.. Wright that the
wood could be obtained at a Washington
| wOOd-tUrning factory. and Mechanic
/ Taylor viii probably purchase a sufficient
quantity this morning TO make the nee
essary repairs.