The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-08-26
WONDERFUL FLIGHT.
Details of PauIhan's Record-Breaking
Performance at Rheims.

! Betheny Aviation Field, Rheims,
France, Aug 26.-Another sensation
al exploit was added to the marvels
of aviation week today when Paul
| han, the plucky French aviator, broke
the worlds record in a wonderful
flight of two hours, So minutes and "a
seconds. During twenty minutes of the
| time Paulhan had heavy rain and
wind storm to contend against. The
previous official record for time in
| the air was made by Wilbur Wright
| at Lemans, December 81, two hours,
| 20 minutes, 23 1-5 seconds. The I'M
official record was two hours, 81 min
| utes, IS seconds, made by Sommer at
MarmelonS.
Paulhan's new record for distance
was about 134 kilometers. or 50 miles.
| He made thirteen circuits of the
course and the wind squall passed as
he was coming down the home stretch
| for the last time. simultaneously the
dirigible Colonel Renard appeared to
the westward blowing its way ma
jestically through the smoke OF the
city of Rheims.
When Paulhan finally came down
it was because the essence in his tank
was exhausted. He said Immediately
after he landed that both machine and
stood up perfectly and that he could
have continued indefinitely IL the tank
had been replenished.
No one who witnessed the marvel
ously impressive flight now entertains
the slightest doubt that aerial navi-
CATION with heavier than-air ma
chimes has a glorious future. Starting
in a II knot breeze shortly before 4
completing the SO kilometers before
o'clock to bar his less venturesome
rivals, who desired to await calmer
air, Paulhan not only accomplished
his original purpose, but continued to
circle the vast plain until his tank
was literally empty. Even when
shower, accompanied by high wind
suddenly broke, the intrepid pilot did
not fall. He battled in the teeth of
the rain and wind for ten minutes up
one length of the course, and the
thrilled spectators watched the strug-
gle against the elements in spellbound
admiration. When he succeeded in
rounding the turn the excitement and
enthusiasm broke into a frenxied roar.
Shortly, Paulhan descended near
the back turn and it was announced
that the committee had granted him
permission to replenish his tank on
the field to permit his return with his
own power. Everybody decided to
await his appearance and it is doubt
full If one hundred persons left the
tribunes, despite the lateness of the
hour. While they waited, Glenn III.
Curtiss, the American aviator, got out
his machine for an effort to beat
Bleriot's time, and he made fast
round, lowering his own time for
the 10 niles TO . IL 90
seconds; only Z 1-5 seconds behind
that of Bleriot.
1t was dark when a great cheer
arose as Paulhan appeared out of the
blackness of the night and descended
gracefully in front of the tribunes. The
fence was torn down in the rush
to reach him and he was borne on
shoulders of enthusiastic spectators,
the crowd escorting him to the box
of the Marquis de Polignac. president
of the committee on aviation. to re-
ceive congratulations and have his
health drunk in champagne.
In the midst of the mad enthu-
siasm, Paulhan's eye rested on a face
in the crowd below. Instantly he
stretched out his arms and turning
broke his way through the throng in
the tribune, a moment later throw
ing himself into the arms of his wife.
His mother and father also were there
to embrace him and weep and finally
to carry him off in triumph.
Paulhan is not an inventor. but
simply an operator who has taken
rank as the worlds greatest profess
sional.
The belief is unanimous that he
won the Prix de Champagne, although
the managers of the Wright machine
intimate that they will have a try
for it. The final day for this event
&c EVrid