The Detroit times., 1909-02-22
DECLARES MENDES,
POET, WAS VICTIM
OF FOUL PLAY
FRIEND SAYS DEAD MAN HAC
MANY ES-FARMAN HAS
NEW FLIER-kiNG ALFONSO
STUDIES AVIATION.
BY VANCE THOMPSON.

PARIS. Feb, 9@--Ihere is tragic
doubt as 20 how Catulle Mendes met
his death in the railway tunnel lead.
Ing To the Saint German station. The
official version Is. Of course. that death
was due 60 All accident caused by
Nepdes alighting before the train
stopped The police. however, have
received a numbe OF letters advising
Them that mendes had been muir
dered
Edmond Fazy. one Of the dead poets
closest friends. announces that he be-
licyes. with many others. that Men
Ges was murdered. He says:
"Mendes had many mortal enemies.
among them men belonging TO all
classes OF society living in Paris o.
the provinces VINO had real cause OF
hatred ON account OF his well-knowp
success with women Now, many of
these ferotious enemies knew that
/ Mendes took the midnight train every
Sunday 70 his country place AT Saint
| German.
Fazy adds that while q Photographic
was taking a picture OF Mendes on
his deathbed a letter from cluster of
white lilies was brought in. Madame
Mendes read the letter. tore II a
pieces and threw them into the fire
crying "Assassins,"
Death Of Mendes a Mystery.
Since the funeral Madame Mendec
has announced that she will net
prosecute the suit for 100000 against
the railway company as had been heI
first intention. Al present the dealt
OF Mendes adds another to the nu
merous Partisan mysteries.
Early in March Henry Farman will
try his new aeroplane at Chalons. This
machine which is Of a totally new
type is now approaching completion
in his shops. lie pointed out the es
sential differences from the now famil
lar aeroplane models. 1t has no front
or back rudder and the main planes
are made in two pieces. SO that either
plane may be set at any desired angie
The rear planes are flexible and tax,
the place OF rudder The machine Is
simpler than any heretofore built anc
has also the advantage OF being easily
taken apart. packed and put together
again In a few minutes. \ 30-horse
power motor Is sufficient TO drive it.
Both the French and English gov
ernment experts will watch the expert
ments at .Chalons. Meanwhile the
Wright machine at Pau is still un
rivaled It's fights were impeded by
the recent heavy winds and tlurries o
snow.
Wright's next pupil will be the kin:
OF Spain, who is expected at Pau i'm
mediately after his visit TO the kin,
OF Portugal Alfonso will take lessons
until he feels competent to drive the
Wright aeroplane which has been de
livered for hiss use al Aranjuez.
Ideal place for Flying.
In the aviation park al Pau. the
brothers Wright have an ideal aren;
for their aeroplane school. II is sit
tuated at one end OF a 30-mile tract o
uncultiyated prairie land former.l
part OF the hunting grounds OF Henry
OF Navarro An aeroplane dock has
been built here-a huge wood ant
glass structure, with sliding doors Oh
all sides. capable Of holding three o
the largest aeroplanes.
One great advantage Of this distric
for aeroplaning is the fact that II hai
an almost MINDLESS climate. The prev
alence OF high winds was enc Of tn
drawbacks of the patk az lie Mans
. The special advantages Of the Pal