Los Angeles herald., 1910-10-12
ROOSEVELT FLIES
IN B|PLANE; STAYS
8 MINUTES IN AIR
II. R. Scars 100 Feet Over st.
Louis Aviation FieId-SayS
It's Great Experience
WAVES GREETING TO CROWDS
Colonel Surprises Friends by Sud-
denly Accepting Invitation to
Make Trip CIoudWard
Associated Pres5I

(Associated PressI
ST. LOUIS, Oct. 11.-Theodore Roose-
velt made an aeroplane flight today,
and said it was the finest experience
he ever had had.
He travelled twice around the avia~
ton field at Kinloch, eighteen miles
west of st. Louis, in three minutes
and twenty seconds. He waved his
hand at the crowd of thousands on the
field below. When the machine alight-
ed easily q few feet from the starting
place a mighty unout of applause
went up.
Arch Hoxsey, Wright aviator, who
conducted the flight, said his passen-
ger made a good fellow voyager ex-
cept that instead Of being afraid he
was having such a good time that
Hoxsey was afraid he would fall out
or interfere with the engine, which
was roaring at his side.
The colonel waved his hands at the
crowd below so vigorously that Hoxsey
called out to him:
keep your hands on the rail-
colonel"
Col. Roosevelt, who had forgotten to
hold himself in, waved his hands once
more and then obeyed orders.
The colonel's flight was complete
surprise to everybody. Although he
had been invited to go, no one had the
least idea he would do so, and he him.
self did not decide to go until the mo-
ment before he stepped into the ma
chine.
The colonel went to the aviation field
in an automobile at the head of q pro-
cession Of motor cars that was a half
mile long.
COLONEL DRIVES ON FTEI
His car was driven directly on the
aviation field. Around the rim Qr the
field were hundreds of cars, which
footed their horns in noisy ehocls.
Hoxsey's biplane was STANDING d.
rectly in front of the grandstand. Col.
| Roosevelt stepped from his automobile
with Governor Hadley at his side and
walked over to it. He inspected the
broad brown planes and the huge,
shiny engine, and shook hands with
the aviator.
"Td like to have you for passeu-
ger" said HoXsey.
The colonel looked at him without a
word Then he began to take OF his
coat. It was the first intimation that
anyone had that he would make the
trip.
Governor Hadley stepped up quickly
with a scared look on his face and said:
"Are YOU really going up, colonel?"
"Of course 1 am said the colonel,
and without another word he took his
seat at. Hoxsey's direction, beside the
engine.
Governor Hadley stepped back. He
admitted afterward that he was
nervous.
"rhis is my district, and it extends
up into the air. 1 suppose. l feel a
sense of responsibility while the colonel
is in my territory" he said.
II. r. BoRROWs GOLF CAP
Col. Roosevelt removed his SLOUGH
hat and borrowed a gray golf cap,
which he pulled over his eyes. He
watched the aviators preparations with
smile of anticipation, betraytng not
the least nervousness.
The photographers who had been
swapping the colonel in the machine
had barely time to step aside before it
bounded forward over the grass. Col
Roosevelt gripped the rail good and
hard and looked straight ahead. Tho
aeroplane skipped over the field for a
few yards, then lifted its nose into the
air. rising easily.
Members of the party that had gone
to the field from st. Louis with the
colonel began a mad hunt for him.
where's Col. Roosevelt?" they asked.
running up to the guardsmen.
Hes up there" one of the guards
said, pointing to the alrship.
The aeroplane sped quickly around
the field at q height of less than 100
feet 1t was the first lap of a mile
and a half before the crowd was con-
vinced that it was really Col. Roose-
velt who was HoXseys passenger.
When the colonel swept past the grand
stand he leaned forward bit and
waved his hands. The spectators were
too frightened to call back to him. and
the crowd was silent. watching the
aeroplane with intense excitement. The
flying machine sped by and took the
turn for the second lap. Hoxsey could
be seen to bend over and shout some
thing into the colonel's ear.
MACHINE RETURNS To EARTH
At the end of the second lap Hoxsey
dipped his planes and the machine
descended easily, striking the ground
as lightly as a feather few rods
from the grandstand. The machine
rolled over the grass and stopped.
Col. Roosevelt, smiling his most ex-
pansive smile, arose and climbed out
backward. He became entangled with
the wires, but was soon out of them,
and started back for his automobile.
When the people were convinced that
he had landed safely they cheered
wildly, and the guards had all they
could do to keep the crowd from break
ing into the field and sweeping down
upon the colonel.
Colonel RooseVeltS first act was to
reach for Hoxsey's hand and shake it
vigorously.
at was great! First class! It was
the finest experience 1 have bad" he
declared. ST wish 1 could stay up for
an hour, but I haven't the time this
afternoon"
did it feel scary?" he was asked.
mot a bit, not bit," he said.
'"What were your sensations?"
ooh IL was DerfeCtlX fine an
joyed every minute of It."
Governor Hadley, with a long sigh
of relief, stepped up to the colonel
and conducted him to his automobile.
They rode down the field past the
Continued en- PaEs 9Wel