The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-09-22

the southern end OF the fleld. several
thousand feet from the spectators,
some one shouted:
"What is that? Something fell!"
Machine Turns Over.
Immediately all eyes were on the
aeroplane and it was seen to turn ov-
er on its left side and, pauSing mo-
ment. make a complete turn and then
come Swoopine to the earth in a cloud
Of dust. No effort on the part Of
the aviator could possibly have avert
ed the accident Planes and rudders
were absolutely incapable Of righting
the machine when it had turned in
that manner.
Several officers WHO were standing
around the starting apparatus order
ed the mounted soldiers over to the
wreck. but spectators, soldiers, officers
and newspaper men were already rum
ming across the field. It was fully a
minute before any one reached the
tangled mass.
The mounted soldiers formed q
Gordon around the wreckaee. while
others frenziedlv endeavored to lift
The heavy mass Of machinery and wood
that pinioned Wright and Selfridge
to the ground. Lieut.. Selfridge's face
was covered with blood and he was
groaning and choking from internal
hemorrhage. Orville Wright lay by
his side. his face as pale as the mass
Of white muslin overhead.
He was conscious and asked that
the machine be lifted off his leg.
"Oh, but it will hurt when they
touch that leg" said Mr.. Wright.
Piece afrer piece Of the wooden
frame was broken off as half dozen
men endeavored to free the injured
men. As soon as they could be. ex-
tricated they were taken to one side
and physicians from the crowd went
to their aid
Their clothes were loosened and
their wounds bandaged. Attendants
from the post hospital hastened across
the field to the place where the ma
chine lay and as soon as possible Mr..
Wright and Lieut.. Selfridge were laid
on stretchers and carried to the hos
pital.
After surgical examination it was
announced a the hospital that Lieut..
Selfride was in a critical condition,
having suffered a fracture at the base
of the skull. It was said then that
Mr.. Wright was not seriously injur-
ed.
At. 40 o'clock Maj. Crosby, Maj
McCaw, Maj. Ireland and Capt. Bail
ey, 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. Lieut.. Selfridge re-
ceived a fracture Of the base Of the
skull. His condition is extremely
critical
Later one Of the surgeons express
ed the opinion that Lieut.. Selfridge
probably would die within a short
time.
Mr.. Wright's leg was set by DR.. l..
L. Waters of New York and Surgeon
Bailey Of the army. They also set
two ribs.
Both Of the injured men sustained
severe scalp wounds in addition to
their other injuries. The surgeons
took Lieut.. Selfridee to the operat-
ing room and removed the part Of the
broken skull over the lett ear, which
was causing convulsion.
At 10 minutes after S o'clock Lieut..
Selfridce died. He had not regained
consciousness. He was expecting his
mother. who lives in San Francisco.
to arrive in Washington this month.
He is a nephew Of Admiral Selfridge
and has a brother who IS an officer
in the navy.
Death Of Lieut.. Selfridge.
Dr.. Howard H. Bailey made the
first announcement Of Lieut.. Self
ridges death. Just after the lieuten-
ant had passed away the doctor came
to those waiting in the front rooms
and halls and said, 'He is dead"
Ellis DEATH" said the doctor, "was
due to a compound fracture at the
7 r.