Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-07-29

an hour. Orvlle could have made that
fight this evening but it was almost
dark when he at last alightcd after a
flight which would have carried him al
most twice across the English channel
WATCHED BY HIS SISTER.
Dramatic intensity was added to the
Witnessing Of Orvl!e Wright's achieve
ment to-day by the realization of every
body present that upon his last attempt
to navigate tie air with a passenger,
that passenger Lieut. Selfrdge, was
killed. and he himself was terribly in
iured. His devoted sister. Miss RATHER
Inc Wright who nursod him through the
period Of his recovery from that disas-
ter, anXiously watched him to-day from
the doorway of the shed where the aero
plane is kept and when he returned I'M
hurt from his flight, gripped him eager
~ by the arm, nestled her face against
his breast, and said:
'Rully for you, brother, 1t was beauti-
full"
IT Is n question whether this word of
praise was not moro to him than that
which came a few moments later. when
the President Of the United States, who
had waited for him at the other end
Of the parade grounds. took him warmly
Ivy the hand, and with the other grasp
ing that Of his brother Wilbur, said:
Il congratulate YOU heartily, sir. It
was n great exhibition. You camc down
as easily and gracefully as YOU went
up. You beat the worlds record"
Yes sir" replied Orville, evidently
embarrassed Il beat my brothers re-
cord"
Tho President and everybody in the
crowd about joined In the laughter at
this sally.
How did your passenger conduct him
self? did he talk to the motorman?"
asked the President.
He behaved very we'll" replied the
aviator.
WELL ! congratulate you both and |
thank YOU for the privilege Of witnessing
such flight" added the President and
again shaking hands with the brothers
entered his automobile and rode away
amid cheers
PROSPECTS WERE POOR.
Until six o'clock the prospects of n
flight appeared very slim. high wind
had prevailed all the afternoon and the
apparently adverse conditions undouhtcd-
~ kept away many hundreds OF people
who otherwise would have journeyed to
Fort Myer. AS 1t was there were at least
$500 people present when the flight began
Just before sunset there was n sprinkle
OF rain. and after that the wind died
down and when the flight took place the
conditions were ideal: only the gentlest
zephyr from tho south stirred the leaves
of the trees.
Shortly after six. Orville Wright
signalled for the aeroplane To be trunded
to the starting derrick, where in n few
moments 1t was in position on the
mohnrall' with the countcrhalancing
weights poised. At ESQ Lieut. Lnhm
gingerly took his seat I'm the center of the
machine next to the purring motor 1t
was the place that selfrIdgc took, ten
months ago.
LAHM LOOKED SERIOUS
70 somebody who asked him II he
had any message to leave. he said:
I'D like to have some Kentucky
grass on my grave" He did not laugh
as he said 1t.
At 6;S5 Orville Wright, pulling his
cap tightly over his brow, looked nm
and laughed at Lahm, and then took
his seat on the outside. at the officers
left. AT signal from Wilbur who
warved the members OF the aeronaut
zeal board fmpatiently out OF the wav
the word for tn" start was given. and