Willmar tribune., 1909-06-23
|WR|GHTSGE TOKENS
WORLDS CHAMPION AvIAToRs
ARE PRESENTED WITH THREE
SETS OF MEDALS.
GOVERNMENT PAYS TRIBUTE

General Allen Makes Speech in Gvino
Emblems to Aeroplane Brothers.
Mayor Of Dayton, O., in Address
State Honors Ethereal Experts.
Dayton, O., June 18.-Uncle Sam.
the state of Ohio and the city of Day.
ton to-day honored Aviators Wilbur
and Orville Wright in the presenta.
ton OF medals as tokens of the an.
probation of Wright aeroplane in
genuity by the United States, the com.
monwealth and fellow townsmen of
the Wright brothers.
Gov. Juds0n Harmon of Ohio ar.
rived early in the day and was the
first to make the presentation of the
Ohio medals. Then came the mayor
OF Dayton with the emblems con-
tributed by Dayton. Last, and perhaps
most appreciated by the brothers, was
the presentation of the United States
medals. These emblems were pro-
vlded by a special appropriation pro.
IuOIIZeu Oy congress-.
Gen. Allen Speaks.
Gen. James Allen was DESIGNATED
by Secretary of War Dickinson as the
latter's representative in the festiv.
tiles and so it naturally fell to Gen.
Allen to make the presentation, which
he did with speech which betokened
the appreciation of Americans of the
feats which those two Ohio brothers
had performed abroad and at Fort
Meyer.
Gen. Allen told the Wrights that
they would be welcomed to Washing
ton next week, where their flights for
the government are to commence.
Brothers Stay in Workshop.
To-day's celebration of the return of
the aerial victors was the chief event
OF the two days carnival, but despite
this fact the brothers remained in
their workshop to within a half-hour
OF the time set for the presentation
of the medals. They arrived on time
and were warmly greeted by the fed
eral officials assembled in the heart of
the city for the purpose OF paying trib-
pte to the Wrights.
The entire city was stirred by the
fete. 1t was gala event and every
one appeared in their best. People
from many sections of Ohio journeyed
to Dayton to witness the ceremonies.
The streets were gayly decorated
with massive arches bearing small
aeroplane models. They're the right
Mr.. Wrights, all right became Day.
ton slogan to-day, and it was passed
from mouth to mouth all over the
city.
"Great Honor" Says Mayor.
Mayor Burkhart to-day presented to
the Wright brothers the medal award
ed them by the city of Dayton in ap-
probation of their achievements. In
his presentation address, he said:
1T is a great honor which has been
given me to-day. AS chief executive
of the city of Dayton, in the name and
on behalf of all of the people of our
city, and by authority of an act of
our city council, am authorized to
bestow upon Wilbur and Orville
Wright testimonial of our apprecia.
tion of their remarkable success in
navigating the air. The national gov
ernment has to-day decorated them
with medals in honor of their success,
The great state of Ohio has laid at
their feet it's tribute to their success,
and now their home city declares to
all the world that here are two of
its citizens whose contribution to
the development of science has de-
manded and received the honor and
applause of the world. Never before
in the history of our government has
such an honor been bestowed on pri-
vate citizens.
Feats StartIe World.
Their scientific achievements have
startled the world; their invention has
attracted the attention of all nations:
with the perfect development of their
aeroplane wars will be only an Incl
dent OF past ages; who knows today
what the development of their inven-
ton may mean to future civilization? +?
In the contemplation of these facts,
it is but right and proper that they
should receive this great honor, and
we stand to-day with uncovered heads
IN their presence, honoring them as
never before men have been honored,
and we lay at their feet these tokens
OF our appreciation as recognition of
their achievements, and an evidence
OF the honor with which we regard
them.'