Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-31
WRIGHT AEROPLANE
Wins LARGE BONUS

CONTINUED from First Page
under the artillery gun sheds at the For
Myer end of the course indicated fourteen
minutes and forty-two seconds time
elapsed from start to finish at the DIP
of Wf!burs flag. The time to be de-
Quoted for the turn at the other end haC
not yet been computed. 1t was evident
To everybody, however. that Orvliie mac
attained a speed that surpassed even the
most sanguine expectations of his adj
mirerS.
The crowd went wild with excitement
as the bipIane flew over the line As
the machine swerved around In d large
loop eparatory to descent, the Specta-
tors became mute again and were for
few moments too intense even to APP
plaud.
As the biplane came lightly to earth q
mighty shout once again arose. only the
most severe discipline on the part OF the
military guards prevented the throne
from surging onto the field to overwhelni
Oryile Wright and Lieut.. Fouiois WIN
their congratulations.
The flight lasted less than fifteen mill
utes. In the opinion Of every one 1t was
the most exciting quarter of an hour
around the National Capital for many
years.
Judges Signal Corps men. army officers
and newspa permen were stationed all
along the course. Telegraph and tele-
phone wires throughout the area of the
flight were buZZing with bulletins that
were taken off as fast the wires could
deliver them.
Crowds watched the bulletin boards be-
fore the newspaper offices and the press
associations. Special correspondents of
the larger metropolitan dailies heralded
the news of the Wrghts great victory
throughout the country.
News Travels Over World.
Even before Miss katherine Wright was
able to get a telegram to her father. the
news of her brothers achievement was
cabled from the parade ground to the
capitals of Europe.
1t was a supreme moment for all con-
cerned as the airship with Orville Wright
and Lieut. Foulois was seen approaching
the drill field on the return trip. The
uncertainty of the voyage, the full appre-
citation of the dangers in crossing over
rough country, without suitable places to
land, and the unavoidable recollection of
the accident of last September, which
cost the life of Lieut.. Selfridge and SER
iousiy injured Orville, We're present in the
minds of the spectators. The great sense
OF relief was made evident as the biplane,
IKE great wasp was seen to clear all
obstacles and come on bee line straight
up the center of the field.
Brother and sister were the first to greet
Orville as he stepped out of the machine.
They were closely followed by the
brother officers of Lieut.. Foulois who
congratulated him on his safe return"
In the midst of the general congratuIa-
tons Maj. Treat came down the field.
bearing expressions of good will from
President Taft. who saw part of the flight,
but was prevented from waiting until the
finish.
A small cyclone and rain during the
afternoon made the prospects of a flight
look gloomy. Toward evening the stu
alton bettered. When the flight actually
took place conditions seemed ideal.
II was about $50 o'clock III the even
ing when the machine was taken out of
the shed and wheeled up the field to the
monorail.
will that machine ever come back
remarked solemnly one of the spectators
at the balloon shed.
Aviators Gather on Field
Wilbur Wright was the first on the
field. While he was attending to the en-
CINE Orvilie sauntered up with Lieut.
Foulos, followed by Miss katherine
Wright and several of her friends
Neither Orvlle Wright nor Lieut. Fou-
lois gave the slightest indication of nerv-
BUSINESS, although they were watched in
tently. Nearly every move they made
was photographed by cameras and NOV
g-picture machines
Preparations went on in the most bust
nesslike way. Almost before the spec
the machine ready to start.
The propellers were sent buZzng
around to try the engine. in a moment
they stopped
wait a minute. Orv." said Wilbur
Wright as he adjusted part of the ma
chinery, and started the propellers
again.
Lieut. Foulois climbed into the ma
chine through the wires bracing the
planes and glanced unconcernedly at his
watch. Orville Wright pulled his cap
firmly over his head. and took search
ing glance at the signal balloons mark
ing >hiS course that showed just over
the tops of the trees.
There WAS Il slight breeze. The air
clear and cool.
Orville Wright climbed into his seat
on the left of Lieut.. Foulois and took a
last look 10 see that everything was in
order.
rs everything all right asked Will
bur who stood with his hands on the
left propeller.
orville waved to his sister who stood
nearby. Grasping the levers, he an
Swered
"AlI ready
The machine glided down the mono
rail. past "A long line of cameras and
along the grass tops for few Yards
and then began 10 respond to the up
lifted forward planes.
Steadily IL mounted to about fifty
feet. when the frs turn was made. Viii
bur Wright. with a Signal Corps flag
ran down To the center of the field and
took position midway between the
two flags marking the beginning of the
course.
Speeded on Way With Cheers.
Cheer after cheer arose from the crowd
as the machine circled the field twice
Lieut.. Foulois seemed quite at ease or
this. his first trip. and could be seer
watching intently every move that Or
Vile Wright made in guiding the ma
chine.
After the biplane completed the SECOND
circle. Ii turned sharply TO the left, and
gathering all the momentum possible
Sad 10 center of the field Shoof,