The Washington times., 1909-07-20
WRIGHT MAY MAKE
NEW RECORD FLIGHT
AerOnaut at Fort Myer
Hopes TO Go Up Again
This Afternoon.

Orviue Wright viii make another
fight at Fort Siyer this afternoon, and
probably. viii exceed any records he
has made this summer, although he was
not ready 90 announce this morning, as
was done IN France, when Wilbur was
flying there that there will be some
thing sensational"
There was a fifteen mile-an-hour wind
blowing at Fort Myer this morning, but
IL isn't likely that it will keep up after
shutdown. Consequently, Mr.. Wright
viii, no doubt, be able TO so up. II was
figured out this morning that the wind
was making about seven miles an hour
last night so that Mr. Wright prob
ably was going at q hfty-miIe clip, sup
posing there had been no wind.
Flight Is Picturesque.
orville Wright flew last night, and the
last flying was the most spectacular. the
most picturesque that Fort Myer has
ever seen. II thrilled the hearts Of tie
scores who cane in autos and the
thousands who came in troueys, the
Signal Corps In its brown KHAKI and the
officers in olive drab. and when Wright
had finished ar last. II made them all,
by a common impulse, wish 10 pay him
the only sort OF tribute they could pay
good American cheers and handsh2kes.
TO one who sat way down in the
southeast corner Of the field last night
IL was a wonderful sight. Far up IN the
northwest corner, family outlined
against the darker background of the
barracks and the mass of the waiting
two thousand. stood the white mass Of
the aerOplGne. poised on the mOnOrall,
ready 70 fly az the touch of the master
hand Two little figures small IN that
light and al that distance. walked back
TO the rear, made some indiStiuguisli-
able motions, and with q roar and a
clatter the twin prOpellers began 10 beat
the air. The little figure sitting up IN
front of the machine reached over, the
weight in the starting derrick dropped
swiftly as the guillUtine knife must
drop. until il too, became a part Of that
dark-blurred crowd.
Starts Low.
Straight down the rail for few feet
then slowly upward, Ike a swimmer
who returns from a dive, the aeroplane
came climbing, ever climbing, as If it
sought for air. more air, all the time
With the jerk Of a frightened bird it
gained the air current for which f. had
aimed, and down the field, with a
splitting and clacking, it hurried.
Overhead it turned. Turned with dip
ping tips and slantlng wings that many
a bird might have envied. Up the east
side OF the course II sailed again toward
the crowd and then Il turned again
right into the eye OF the sinking sun,
which now and then peeped out from
behind drab crowds lining their edges
nil, silver and touchfu. the aarse-sIanh
with a weird gold
And, as Orvine Wright circIed and
circled again, the wonder grew. Night
crept down out OF the West upon the
. Of lee 10
The trees Of Arlington became one dark
and solid mass, bold against the sky
line, hard and fOrbidding Ike the sCarp
OF a monster fortress. The starting der
rick changed into a monster spider
with long, ungainly legs, which stood
rooted in one place as II it, too. were
bewitched by the beauty Of the night
and the wonder of that clacktng thing
Which cut the air so easily above them.
Like Roman Circus.
Looking up from the southeast corner
the crowd spread out as II around a
Roman circus. Here and there automo-
bile lights winked knowing goblin eyes
down the field and thousands Of frefiies
sputtered their red-gold IRE into the
twilight.
Prom the barracks. crOuching IKE
heavy dumb beasts in the background,
came the sudden twinkle Of the lights
and behind II all was the sun It
wasn't the red sunset OF the summer
night nor the cold, fear-inspiring one Of
winter, but no one who saw II and the
aeroplane above WIN be likely to forget.
Even the braces Of the wonderful ma
chine stood out against the sun when 10
shifted from behind a cloud and OrviIie
Wright. q little figure. calm, apparently
absolutely at ease, sat among them and
near that clacking engine. a small
speok IN the night.
After thirty minutes, during which he
IA seeming, became distinct and almost
vanished In the air, Wright came down
once more