East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1909-07-28
BLER|OT PROVES
A DARING MAN
SAILS ACROSS THE CHANNEL
AFTER MANY ACCIDENTS
Aeronaut Is Decorated With the Le-
gion of Honor for His Feat
Though Crippled, He Steals a
March on His Rivals and Gets the
Prize and Honors.

Calais.-Louis Bleriot flew from
the shores of France, leaving behind
group of spectators who, while they
were filled with admiration at the
mans daring, feared lest he might be
| overcome. There was applause when
the monoplane arose in the air, then
there was keen suspense, but when
word came that Bleriot had reached
England a mighty cheer went up
The news of his triumph spread
quickly and celebrations were held
everywhere. In spite of his injured
leg, Bleriot stole march on his riv-
ais, Latham and Count de Lambert,
The former, deceived by the high
winds of the day before, thought a
start would be impossible, while
Count de Lambert had gone to Eng
land to pick out a likely place to
land. 1t was decided that the torpedo
boat should be at the disposal of La
than and a destroyer at the disposal
Of Bleriot, should the men decide to
start. At 8 o'clock Bleriot, who was
determined not to allow the slightest
chance to escape, proceeded to the
shed at San Gate and his monoplane
was pushed out.
Rises From Clutches in Air.
To the handful of people who gath
cred there, the spectacle of this man,
hobbling on crutches, dreaming of
flight to England, had something
awe-inspiring, even terrifying, in it.
Bleriot cast aside his crutches and
took his place in the monoplane. on
which he had already hoisted a red
flag to guide the rescuers in case he
should fall.
The monoplane rose easily and made
two circles above the land. Shortly
Bleriot descended. His motor was
running perfectly and he had con-
firmed the fact that he had favor
ing south southwest breeze. The crit
ical moment was at hand. Anzania,
ton. Blerot settled himself calmly
in his seat, waving farewell and at
4:36 o'clock the aeroplane rose and
sped away. Fourteen minutes later,
flying high above the water, it was
lost in the mists hanging over the
channel.
Blcriot Given Decoration.
The destroyer, which had been
warned to prepare, steamed swiftly
in pursuit, but the flying man was
Co. lAF 70 hahind
Bleriot is the winner of Osieris
prize of $4,000 in conjunction with
Gabriel Voisin, the aeroplane manu-
facturer, for their contribution to the
progress of the aviation. Yesterday
he was decorated with the Legion of
Honor. He is the inventor of a
searchlight for autos andebecame in
terested in aviation in 1900 Through
out his career, Bleriot has displayed
such reckless daring that his friends
have predicted he would be killed He
has had numerous accidents and has
broken a dozen machines, but has
never been dismayed by misfortune.
He made his first cross-country flight
from Toury to Arthenay; made a
flight of an hour at Doue, and on
July 13 made new record for cross
country from Stampes to Orleans.
Returns to Calais.
After Latham failed in his attempt
to cross the channel. Bleriot hurried
to Calais to try his luck, announcing
subsequently that he intended to
make a cross-country flight Of 100
kilometers (62 miles) from Evereux
to Orleans, without a stop. NJ. Bier
lot is exceedingly cool and has al
ways maintained man that kept his
head could not be seriously injured
"In case of an accident" he has
said. 81 throw myself on one of the
wings. That breaks the wing, but
1t saves me-"
NJ. Bleriot returned this evening
from Dover aboard the destroyer. He
was met by a cheering throng and |
was acclaimed enthusiastically when
he said:
"I am radiantly happy at my sue.
cess. I am happy also because 1
have received the decoration of the |
Legion of Honor"
Latham, who was a disappointed |
spectator, later brought out his aero
plane, but the increasing wind and
faulty motor prevented his making a