Omaha daily bee., 1908-09-23
OVER HOUR AND HALF IN AIR
Wilbur Wright Makes New Record
for Aeroplanes in France.
TEN THOUSAND SEE THE TRIAL
Machine travels Nearly ~sixty-Ons
Miles and Descends only BE-
cause of Darkness--OrvIlIe
Wright better.

LIE MANS, Sept. 21.-In the presence Of
the officials Of the French Aero club Of
sarthe, the American ambassador. Henry
White. General Ba~zaine-Hayter, COM
mander Of the Fourth army corps. a large
number OF French and foreign officers and
aeroplane experts and a wildly cheering
crowd numbering 10000, Wilbur Wright, the
American aeroplanist. this afternoon ac-
complished a signal triumph, capturing the
worlds record from his brother, Orvills
Wright, with a marvelously impressive
flight In his powerful machine of one hour.
thlrty-one minutes and ~fifty-one seconds,
covering in that time a n actual distance Of
ninety-eight kilometers. or nearly sixty-one
miles.
owing to the recent accident at Fort
Myer, today's trial for the Michelin cup.
for the greatest distance covered by an
aeroplane in 1908, and the Aero club prize
OF s1,oOO for the longest flight over an en-
closed ground, attracted intense interest.
Mr.. Wright at first appeared nervous and
ill-luck seemed to be pursuing him. The
wind was too high in the morning to per-
init OF a flight, and when II fell at 4 o'clock
this afternoon, Wright made three false
starts. owing TO the oblique direction Of
the breeze and trouble experienced with
the cradle. Finally, at 5:15, after the direc-
ton Of the starting rail had been changed
to point in the teeth Of the breeze. which
was then blowing gently at about four
miles an hour, the aviator got away nicely,
sailing majesticaiiy up the field.
Machine Under Perfect Control.
Around the upper turn Wright swept
back to where the thousands were gath
cred and began describing ellipses. Round
and round ne went with the regularity of
.--t.-..t. ard tha ataadinpqa ~ n railroad
train. The great crowd was at once de-
lighted and amazed at the remarkable sta
bility shown by the aeroplane. Wright at
first manifested extraordinary prudence.
FLYING so low that he seemed almost to
skim the earth, but on the thirteenth round
he rose 10 sixty feet. Spontaneous cheers
greeted the picture and these were re-
doubled as he succe ssiyely passed his own
record and then his brothers.
In the gathering darkness the spectacle
became thrilling. The aeroplane could no
longer be seen at the farther end Of the
field. It appeared and disappeared in the
gloom like a white phantom, but the sound
of the ceaseless chug of the propellers told
the multitude which had now grown fran
tic. that Wright was still in the air.
Matches were lighted to keep watch on
the n%eeting minutes and night had fallen
when at the end of the thirty-third round
Wright shut off his motor and came
lightly to the ground.
Crowd Cheers Aviator.
with a mad cheer the crowd broke
through the lines and rushed forward.
only being prevented from hoisting the
American in triumph on their shoulders
by charging cavalry. Among the first to
reach Mr.. wrlkht's side was Henry White.
the American ambassador, who told the
smiling aeronaut OF the keen pleasure Es
felt in. witnessing his victory.
Mr.. Wright told the Associated Press
that he had descended only because of
darkness. He had sufficient essence in
the tank to last over an hour. AS tie
measurements Is only taken from the
flags. the official distance is given as
$3.50 kilometers-
For the Michelin prize only the time
before sunset counts and therefore in
his attempt to win this trophy Wright set
a record of ~fifty-three minutes, covering
1875 kilometers.
Mr.. Wright took his achievement with
his usual modesty but he said that he
was especially glad to have established a
new worlds record for Orville's sake, He
denied the report that he does not intend
hereafter 70 carry a passenger.
OrvIIIe wright Improves.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 21.-Orville
virgins condition tonight is satisfactory.
After the news of his brother Wnbur's
record-breaking flight in France was
shown him. he was in better spirits. Miss
Catherine Wright, his sister, remained
almost constantly at his side during the
day and she will be within call at the
hospital through the night.
The father of Lieutenant Selfridge will
arrive Wednesday night and the funeral
probably take place at Arlington on Thurs
day. Tentative arrangements for the funeral
were made today by the members of the
Aerial Experiment association Of which
Lieutenant selfridge was secretary.
DR.. Alexander Graham Bell, when in
formed OF the great flight made by Wilbur
Wright in France today, said:
THAT is a great achievement. There is
no doubt that Wilbur and Oryille Wright
have conquered the air"
orville Wright, when tod by his sister of
the woodworking flight made by his
brother Wilbur said;
That is splendid, Perhaps Will may soon
be able to come over"
Lahn In DiriRibIe Balloon.
ST. JOSEPH, Mo, Sept. a.-Lieutenan
Frank b. Lahm today made his first trip
in the Baldwin dirigible In st. Joseph. With
him was Lieutenant b. ID. Foulles, who
had charge of the engines, while Lieuten-
ant Lahm guided the balloon. At a height
OF 100 feet a stiff breeze was struck and
the balloon remained in the air only four
minutes. During that time it was under
control Of the operators. Another trip
will be made tomorrow.
49,