The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-09-20

There was much poy In the hearts
Of the management OF the Michigan
State Far when the gates were closed
at the end OF Mondays program. fol
the opening was the most successfu
IN the history OF the organization
The attendance was a record.breakei
for the initial day; the exhibits were
In position: the midway was ready
for the crowds, and the big special
attractions. the horse races and the
aeroplane flights were given without
mishap and in every way to the salts
faction Of the visitors. The horse
races, which brought together some
OF the best OF the grand circuit step
pers, were alone sufficient to satisfy
many. but the aeroplane flights were
what most Of the spectators were
waiting for. Nor was anyone disap
pointed, either. While the weather
conditions were somewhat against the
| flying sport in the morning, there was
nothing To keep the aviators from
making flights in the afternoon
The sight OF the aeroplane, as l,
WAS pushed along the ground some
800 yards in front OF the grandstand
seemed to I'LL the visitors with awe
They looked with open-mouthed won
der on the bird.like machine. and
their eyes fairly bulged out as Archie
Hoxsey climbed into the interior and
gave the word TO start. For a hun
dred yards or SO the plane skinned
along the grass, rising gradually TO an
altitude of about 100 feet. At this
height the daring aviator circled
around the Enclosure OF the race track
q couple of times and then shot high
er and higher. finally reaching hight
OF about 500 feet. For 10 minutes or
30 he raimed at this altitude, sailing
gracefully around the track. some
times over the heads of the horses
as they raced around the course, and
at other times taking a little jaunt
over tie eastern part OF the fair
grounds. II was thrilling spectacle
and the big crowd seemed to hold its
breath while the fight was on. AS
the aviator headed for the ground &c
spectators uttered signs of relief. ap-
parently being glad the tension was
over. They enjoyed the sensation
however, and cheered Hoxsey Justify
when he finally reached the ground.
IL have been reading about these
aeropiane flights for some time, said
one man In the ground, but, tell
you, you have to see them to appre-
ciate what they really mean. II is
every anybody who misses a chance to
see the machines in operation at this
time will miss a treat"
I-A- hN t. oil hnr
to make fights on behalf Of the
Wright brothers, whose machines are
being used. made flight after Hoxsey
alighted. tombstone showed complete
mastery of the plane, also. He made
graceful ascension and flew around
the track a number Of times, each
time going little higher until he, too,
reached an altitude Of upwards Of SO
feet. On his descent he was accord
cd loud and warm applause. The
work OF both aviators will be repeated
each day of the fair. weather permit
ting. Flights have been scheduled for
the morning, and the aviators hope
to be able to carry out their part OF
the program In every detail.
Aside from the aeroplane races, the
horse events proved a whole after
moons sport in themselves. There
were some fine burts OF speed and
finishes close enough to stir the blood
in the most languid. Many fast ones,
such as Gamar, Maj. Strong. Star
Patchen and Mabel j., were there and
they gave the crowd some fine exhibit
tons OF speed and racing. II was, in
tact, a repetition of the Blue Ribbon
program, to a certain extent, and the
horsemen were happy.
The big attractions in the evening
were the horse show In front of the
grandstand and the fireworks. Both
of these made a big hit with the
crowd, which grew to larger proper
tions as the shades of night fell, and
they will doubtless prove leading
features as long as the fair lasts. w.
c. Morgan, superintendent OF the
horse show, was largely responsible
for the success OF this department.
and he was highly complimented on
, the result of his efforts.
Good music is being furnished, day
and evening, by the Ninety-first High
landers' band, Of Canada, and Liber-
atti's band OF so pieces, while quar-
tet of grand opera stars and a man
who "sings to beat the band give
many numbers.
Thus far there has been perfect or
der maintained on the grounds.
Sheriff CASTOR has big squad OF
deputies on hand, while Capt. Spillane
of the city police department. Is in
charge of a number OF uniformed men.