Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-18

to the Fort Myer Hospital. at the other
end of the field.
1t was fea ed that Wright was suffer
ing from internal injuries He had
lapsed into state Of semi-consciousness
by the time he reached the hospital.
Lieut. Selfridge did not regain con-
seriousness at all He was suffering from
a fracture at the base of the skull and
was in a critical condition.
After hurried surgical examination it
vas announced that Wright was not dan
5erously injured. He is suffering from
a fracture of his left this h and sever9'
ribs on the right side are fractured
| Both men received deep cuts about the
lead.
Wright rerained consciousness at the
hospital and dictated a cab.egram to his
brother at LIE Mans. France. and re-
quested that the same message be sent to
his sister and father at Dayton. Ohio, as.
| surfing them that he was all right.
Wright Directs Flight.
Although there have been but hand
ful OF people at the aeronautical testing
grounds at Fort Myer during the past
few days, fully 1850 had gathered by 4:3O
yesterday afternoon. The aeroplane was
still in its shed, but Wright arrived a
few minutes later and ordered it taken
to the northern end OF the field to be
placed on the starting track in readiness
for fight.
Mr.. Wright appeared to be particularly
enthusiastic over the prospects OF the
fight. He had drawn the attention OF
the world to his aeroplane tests at For,
Myer and had established new world
records for his heavier-than-air flying
ma chine.
In preparation for the fight everybody
was ordered back from the machine and
Mr.. Wright TUNED to Lieut.. Selfr dye
and said:
You might as we'll get in. Well start
In a couple of minutes"
Lieut.. Sci ridge took off his coat and
hat and took his place in the extra sea,
next to that occupied by Wright. TIE
latter started the motor by means OF d
storage battery. his assistants, Taylor and
Furness, turning the propellers to gel
them going.
At STA the aeroplane was released. II
was noticed that 1t did not rise buoy
antly as on previous two-man flights.
Lieut.. Self idge weighed about lie
pounds, making the weight greater than
the machine has ever carried before.
After gliding over the ground on its
runners Tor thirty feet the machine rose
gradu lily and had gained height OF
forty feet when 1t PASSED over the start
ing apparatus for the Fl st t me.
There was siX-mile wind. 1t was
noticed that the machine did not run as
smoothly on Its former fights. most OF
which were made in calm weather. The
aeroplanist. however, apparently had con-
troll o. the aerial flyer, which rose to d
hight Of sew nty-five :eet as 1t complet d
the second round of he field. This height
VS. ma ntained On the third round
Aeroplane Turns Over.
When the accident to the propeller &C.
CURED the aeropiane was seen to turn
ever on It's eft s d., and pausins a mo.
ment, made complete turn and then
come swooping to the earth in a cloud
of dust. No effort on the part OF the
aviator coul possibly have averted the
accident. Planes and rudders were alb,
solutely incapable OF r4ght!ng the machine
when t had turned in that manner.
Immediately following the disaster at
PENDANTS from the post hospital FASTENED
| across the field to the place where the
machine lay, and as soon as possib- 6
Wright and Sci ridge were laid on stretch-
ers and carried to the hospital.
| AS the gasoline tank had been pierced
| when the machine crashed TO the ground
there was great danger that some person
| might come too near with lighted cigar
! or cigarette and add an explosion to the