The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-28

talk to the motorman?9 asked the Pres 1dent.
 He behaved very we'll" replied the aviator.
 well, I congratulate both of you and I thank you for the privilege of witness ing such a flight added the President There were at least $500 people present when the flight began. Just before sun set there was a sprinkle of rain and after that the wind died down, leaving the conditions ideal.
 At 6:35 o'clock Orville smiled at Lahm, his passenger. and took his seat in the aeroplane at the officers left. The aero- plane, shooting swiftly down the incline, scared gracefully into the air. leaving the ground at 6:3640
 Start of Flight.
 There was an evident sluggishness in the rise of the aeroplane as compared with it's ascent when Wright flew alone, but she rose smoothly and gracefully, and when she veered around to make the northward flight along the Arlington cem- etery boundary, it was at a height of nearly 60 feet and never after that was there any question of her buoyancy and equipoise. Round and round she went "A times about the great drill ground, 40OO feet, they say, is the circumference, some times in shorter circles, but usually out
  height varying but slightly, save where some stray current of air from between the trees or buildings rocked her up and down or from side to side, like boat in gentle sea.
 As the hour drew to its close excite ment became intense. A thousand watches were scanned. At the conclusion of the seventieth turn, a great shout went up: automobile horns were footed in a deafenng chorus. and hand-clapping and cheers and waving of hats and handker- chiefs told the men in the flying machine that their task was accomplished Wil- bur Wright ran out beneath them and waved his handkerchief. The crowd ex- pected Orville to come down then, but he kept on Just the same. He was after his brothers aurels.
 Wilbur Wright returned to the starting derrick where the army officers were gathered and they began to chaff him about his record. now in peril.
 Wilbur on Watch.
 With a broad grin of appreciation he now kept count of the minutes which remained of his own record and then he said:
 "On the turn he's got me. When he comes by let's give him a cheer
 As the officers prepared to comply he added:
 Now, watch me and do as I do" Wilbur waited until the machine was almost overhead then rushed ahead of it, waving his hat and dancing gleo- fully. It was the first sign of emo tion Wilbur had . ever shown at Fort Myer The crowd was yelling hysterc- ally and up at the Presidents tent Gen eral Edwards leaped to his feet and waved his hat, shouting.
 Lower and lower the aeroplane cir cled until 1t was within 10 feet of the ground.
 The silver half moon looked down upon the scene as the machine dipped lower still, slid along the ground in a. cloud of dust, stopped unmarred, and fhe two men stepped out.
 Orvile's Experiences.
 "I was nervous at first" said Orville. p'Yon know this is my first attempt with a passenger since last year. Gradually the machine found herself, however I could hear Lieutenant Lahm at first, but the terrible racket of the motor soon deadened my ears and we aban- doned all attempts at conversation. didn't intend to land as abruptly as did, and was trying some low fly ing. I misjudged the elevation and be- fore I knew I struck the ground. I could have remained up another hour or so but there was no necessity"
 Before today the best that Orville Wright has been able to accomplish with an additional passenger aboard was flight of minutes, Is seconds This was during a trial flight made over the Fort Myer drill grounds September 12, 190S when he circled the field for dis