The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1909-08-29
ClJRTISS WINS
GREAT TROPHY
Bi-plane Takes the Ben
nett Cup.
VICTORY FOR AN AMERICAN
Flying Machine Men chasrined
Over Contest.
New Yorker Files Away from French
man In . surprising Exhibi-
tien--Mrs. Roosevelt
Among Spectators.
VICTORY FOR AN AMERICAN

tion. known as the Gordon Bennett
trophy, was won today by Glenn H.
Curtiss. the American aviator. in the
fastest aerial journey Of twenty kilo-
metres (12.42 miles) ever accomplish ed
by man. His time. Is minutes 80 3-5
seconds, was only 8 as seconds faster
than that made by Bleriot over the
same course.
The other two pilots who represent
ed France, Latham and Lefebvre. IN
ished respectively In II minutes % sec
onds and 20 minutes AZ SIS seconds.
Cockburn, an Englishman. ran into q
haystack a. he was rnanoeuvering for
the start and did not cross the line.
Several machines which expected to
start were not ready within the time
limit.
The race lay between Bisriot and
Curtiss, with Latham as q possible
outsid er. Lefebvre on previous per-
formances apparently had no chance.
Fortune favored the American. An
accident two days ago to Bieriot's pow
erfui fast machine, with which he held
the lap record was a serious handicap,
since he had no opportunity to try out
the repaired machine.
Steals March ON Rivals.
Curtiss stole a march on his rivals
by getting away early. Finding con-
dftions favorable at 10 o'clock In the
morning, he decided to take no chances
In the ficlxle weather. and after q trial
trip in which he made the circuit Of
the course in 7:55 1-5, lowering the
worlds record nine seconds, he started
Immediately on his attempt to win
the cup. He handled the machtn 9
which few along at speed never be-
fore witnessed. in mastery style, and
especially at the turns which he took
~ Tho ARaf round
measuring e.21 miles. was made In
7:s7 2-5 seconds, somewhat slower than
the trial time. but the second round
was covered two seconds faster, T:6s Id
seconds. another worlds record.
This remarkable showing on the part
e9 the American created censternaticn
IN the Bieriot camp. The French ayi-
ator whose machine was euuippcd with
q four biadad propeller. made . trial
Ter the rosihd. Then, upon the advies
of santos SDpfneak be substftuted
two.biaaeti propeller. but thie proved
slower still and the French began e
Doubt the ability Of their champion
Bieriot replaced the original propeller
and tlnkered with his machine for sew
eral hours. In the meantime Lefebvre
in Wright bi-plane, but without hope
Of winning. few over the course, bat
MS LlAll0 was. nN0 kAAhoSOo 1ASWOA thNA
that Of Curtiss.
/ ExcitenSent Intense.
The excitement grew steadily intense
as s o'clock, which the public under-
stood was the time limit for starting
in this event, approached. Bleriot and
Lathani's machines were run out and
everybody stood watch in hand At
O'Clock the crowds concluded that the
two French champions had defaulted
and murmur Of protest. arose. but G
minute later II was officially announce
ed that the wording Of the rule had
been misunderstood and that the rule
allowed q start to be made any time
before $40.
A few minutes later Bieriot ana Lat
ham crossed the line In quick succ es-
sion. Bieriot went by the tribunes at
a terrific pace and for q moment the
Americans feared Curtiss would be
beaten. He finished the round in al
most the identical time Of Curtiss' fast
zap. covering the ten Kilometres In
1853 as. but speed seemed appreciably
to deer ease on the last round and be-
fore he reached the final turn. the
stop watches showed that he had lost
The French crowds were greatly dis
appointed at the failure Of their coup'
trymen, but owing to the popularityfo Of
the wrfghts in France. and the general
French recognition OF the, WOnderLul
stimuius Americans have given to the
science of aviation. no foreign victory
could have been so popular as that OF
an American.
Flag Tells of Victory.
The Judges Immediately ran up the
American flag on tn Q signal pole on the
time keepers stand in front Of the
tribunes and the bands played THE
Star Spangled Banner" There was
great rejoicing among the American
sp ectators.
Ambassador Henry White. accompa-
MED by Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt. Miss
Ethel Roosevelt and Quentin and Ar
chic Roosevelt, had arrived in time to
witness the flights by Bleriot and Lat
ham from special box placed at the
disposal of the party.
Only Lefebvre and Farman appeared
in the passenger carrying contest late
In the afternoon. The former carried
a lap with one passenger in IL min
utes 20 SIS seconds. Farman carried
one passenger in nine minutes So As
seconds and two passengers In 10 min
utes 80 seconds. Tomorrow's program
in Guides the Prix de latitude OF
SO, 600 to be awarded to the aeroplanisi
attaining the highest altitude; the con-
clusion of the passenger and speed
contests and long distance flights by
Faaihan, islander and Lafebvre In
efforts to beat Farman's record for the
annual Michaelen purse. Curtiss In
49, -