Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1908-09-12

panion For a spln-Aeropiane Rose
and Fell at VIII Of Operator and
Proved Aerial Flight is Now Only a
Matter Of OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Cheered inventor.
Washington. Sept 10. - Orville
Wright, In three phenomenal flights
ut Fort Myer. established new aero.
plane records that not only assure the
success OF the Official trials before the
army board. but Indicate that aerial
flight IL now only a matter Of develop
ment War on land and sea will find
In the aeroplane a valuable means Of
reconnaissance and possibly carnage
Two flights OF approximately one
hour each. another flight in which two
men were whirled through the air for
upward OF six minutes, were the
achievements OF the Wright brothers
aeroplane. That these flights. record
breaking as they were. will even be
surpassed by Orville Wright during
his trials at Fort Myer. is confidently
predicted. The first flight. in which
the machine circled the drill grounds
at the fort 81 times In 81 minutes and
81 seconds was surpassed when
flight OF 81 minutes and Is seconds
was made.
Not satisfied with breaking all dis.
lance and time records for heavier
thahair flying machine. Mr.. Wright
took Lieutenant Frank p. Lahm. the
aeronaut OF the signal corps, for a
spin around the drill grounds making
new record for two-man flight. All
this happened so quickly and ostenta-
tiously that the spectators. among
whom were members of the cabinet
and high officers OF the army and
navy. could hardly realize that his
tory had been made and that a new
era in the progress OF the civilized
world was begun.
AS the sun was disappearing below
the Virginia horizon the latest inven.
tion OF man To challenge the laws OF
nature rose grandly into space and
sailed over the greensward OF the
rose. turned at slight angle as the
aviator brought It around at the far
side OF the field and raced along at
increasing speed. There was hardly
culver of the aeroplane in the first few
rounds OF the field. Mr. Wright evi.
IDENTIFY having the steering apparatus
well in hand.
2 Using and lowering at will. the
sight of the man-built bird was most
impressive. Round after round the
machine travelled on. cutting short
turns. shooting along the stretches and
presenting somewhat the appearance
OF an automobile racing about an
imaginary course in the air The avia-
tor paid little heed to anything but his
levers for warping the surfaces OF the
planes and controlling the planes that
control the altitude of the craft He
seemed oblivious OF the crowd below
until. having broken the record OF 81
minutes and 81 seconds. the crowd
raised a cheer that told him OF his new
achievement. Then Mr. Wright waved
his Acknowledgements.
Before the flight was begun a watch
was tied to the seat next 10 Wright.
and when little later he saw that he
had stayed aloft for over an hour. the
time required in order for him to full.
fill his contract with the government
he made for mother earth" Swoop-
ing down ~ sort of bump the
bumps" fashion. the machine bore
down in the direction OF the crowd
which quickly scattered. fearing that
the aeroplane would run them down
Raising a cloud of dust as il slid
along on the skids. the aeroplane
which weighs near 1000 pounds. came
20 stop within twenty feet OF the
crowd.
AS Mr.. Wright stepped from the
seat and removed his goggles. he was
greeted with lusty cheers. Turning to
Lieutenant Lahm one OF the leading
aeronauts of the army. Mr.. Wright
said;
How would you like to go up with
me?" II was an invitation that need
ed no repetition. There were no skep
tics in that crowd OF enthusiastic
spectators. and there were a great
HutiDti VIM ii'u+
tenant.
With the two men. Mr. Wright and
Lieutenant Lahm. In their places. the
start was made the machine appar
emily rising from the ground as easily
with its increased burden as IL had
with only the inventor on board. After
the sixth lap a beautiful landing was
made within a hundred feet OF the
"aerial garage" where the machine Is
sheltered from the elements.
Mr.. Wright. as usual. displayed no
emotion. but Lieutenant Lahm was
most enthusiastic 1T beats spherical
ballooning." was his first comment II
had fine trip. but did not attempt to
manipulate any OF the levers. | watch.
ed Mr.. Wright closely as he handled
the controlling apparatus. We could
see Washington in the distance and