Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1909-08-07
WRIGHT FLIES
FAST Ten MILES
Safely Completes Final Speed
Test Over Fort MyeT.
MADE az MILES AN HOUR
Iieutenant Foulois, Passenger In tho
Aeroplane, Witnesses Triumph of
Wright Brothers--Average Altitude
During Flight Was 200 Feet.

Wright Brothers--Average Altitude
During Flight Was 200 Feet
Washington, July 31.--Oryille Wright
attained the zenith of hard-earned sue
cess. In ten-mile cross-country fight
IN the famous aeroplane built by him.
self and his elder brother, Wilbur, and
accompanied by Lieutenant Benjamin
ID. Foulois, an intrepid officer of the
army signal corps, he not only sur
passed the speed requirements of his
contract with the United States gov
eminent, but accomplished the most
difficult and daring flight ever planne
for a heavier-than- flying machine.
Incidentally he broke all speed records
over measured course and estah-
lished beyond dispute the practicable
fly of the aeroplane in time Of peace
and In time of war.
Over Forty-two Miles an Hour.
Wright's speed was more than forty
two miles an hour He made the ten
mile flight in fourteen minutes and
forty-two seconds, including the more
than twenty seconds required for the
turn beyond the line at Shutter hill
the southern end of the course. He at
tanned a height in crossing the valley
of Four Mile Run, of nearly 500 feet,
and the average altitude of his practi
cally level course was about 200 feet
The official board will determine the
speed made. 1t is agreed that it ex
ceeded fort two miles an hour. Thu
Wrights will therefore receive 100000
including a bonus of $4,000 for their
aeroplane.
President Taft, who has become an
enthusiastic spectator OF the aeroplane
trials, arrived upon the parade ground
at Fort Myer just in time to see the
aeroplane land and to participate in
the wild demonstration which wei
coined the triumphant aviators. He
sent Colonel Treat, commanding Off
Ger of the artillery at Fort Myer. to
bear his congratulations to the vic
tors.
They're Off,"
After circling the drill grounds few
times Orville started straight south
ward.
They're Off" a thousand voices
shouted as one.
Like a giant bird, circling the sky
until it marks its prey, and then dart
ing straight for its objective, this man.
bird swept answering down its
course. Unwavering it kept its course
straight to the south. and it seemed
to be rising ever higher as it passed
over the diverse and heavily wooded
country in che distance. Smaller and
smaller it grew. until 1t became a
mere speck against the pearl sky
above the horizon.
Suddenly the speck was lost to view
and as the seconds passed a silence
grew upon the crowd, a silence that
spoke of deep concern. Wilbur Wright,
standing with levelled glasses beside
his sister. strained his gaze in effort
to catch sight of the aeroplane when
II should rise again above the sky
line.
Suddenly the speck came in sight
again, over the distant hill. A cry
swept over the watching crowd.
There it isl" everybody said, and
the sigh of relief was plainly audible.
Deafening Cheers Greet Wright.
Onward the machine came. growing
with the seconds. and seemingly
swerved from its course by westerly
breeze. 1t grew and grew until al
most every detail of it was visible.
Soon the aerial navigators were home
again over the drill ground, flying very
low Orvile steered straight across
The field, and at a height of about
twenty feet swung round again to the
southwark and landed easily far down
the field The task was done, and in
triumph.
Needless to describe the deafening
cheers Of the thousands that welcomed
fhp return