The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-09-27
Richmonds Chief Executive
Wishes to Enjoy Experience
in Private Capacity.
FULFILL HIS AMBITION
Made an Effort Twenty-Five
Years Ago to Go Up in
Balloon.

Aviator ID. c. Richardson will be
the top line attraction at the State
fair on Richmond Day, Wednesday,
October 8, when he will make spec
tacuiar flight around the big oval In
the latest model OF Wright Brothers
aeropiane. The daring bird-man, who
is best known as the honorable Mayor
of the city of Richmond. desires to
enjoy his Joy ride through the atmos-
phere In his private capacity and all
the ceremony and enthusiasm that Will
attend his flight is dtstasteful to no one
more than TO himself.
Mayor Richardson was extended a
formal invitation Tuesday morning
and accepted with alarctty. 1T has
been the dream of my life," said the
mayor to Secretary w. Douglas Cor
don. who extended the invitation, and
| accept with great deal OF pleasure.
/ have heard that this was coming to
me but | have been disappointed so
many times In getting an opportunity
TO enjoy this within OF mine that could
hardly believe that VIE going to have
the chance"
Is Not Afraid.
In an interview Immediately after
accepting the formal invitation OF the
State Fair Association, Mayor Rich
ardson stated that he had no fear of
the aeroplane. 1T Is those things
that are not thought TO be dangerous
that cause the most HARM" said tho
poets trouble and every safeguard is
used"
For instance" continued the
mayor. Il have been in much more
dangerous places than in an aeroplane
with an experienced aviator like Ralph
tombstone, fancy now, l have had the
temerity to take automobile rides
with drivers like Edgar Ferguson and
Blanchard Forbes. so you see / am not
lacking in nerve
Il am looking forward to this
flight" said Mayor Richardson. but
] wish ! could go up just as d. G.
Richardson and thus avoid SO much
notoriety. 1t would be much more
pleasant for me If I could go up in
my private capacity"
( 1T Is something | always wanted to
do, however" he continued, land I'M
/ less something intervenes | Will make
! the flight" Mayor Richardson stated
| that his flight will. of course, depend
upon the consent of the aviator, Ralph
tombstone. II weigh 100 pounds,
somewhat over the weight mentioned
as the proper one for a passenger in
I an deTopldHe, sdlu the mayor, OUT
/ he may be able to take me, any
way"
This Is not the first attempt made
| by Mayor Richardson to sail among
the clouds. He spoke Tuesday OF an
attempt he made about twenty five
! years ago to go up in balloon and
Of his failure to connect.
"A balloonist named King came
here and was to make fight from
the City Hall lot said the execu-
tive. This was before the founda-
| tons were laid for the present build
/ ing. ] was anxious to make a flight
| with him and nearly succeeded. When
first approached King" said the
mayor, ''he told me that he could
not take me for the reason that Mr.
Jim Bradley, OF Manchester had paid
him $50 to take him as a passenger.
I was on hand. however. while he was
preparing for the flight, Bradley did
not show up and Bradley turned 10
me just as the big bag was filing out
nicely and said, All aboard.
! We'll. / was ready all right, and
was just about to comply and crawl
| into the basket when Bradley Shout
dered his way through the crowd and
claimed his place. That ended my
attempt and now this present oppor-
| tunity Is most welcome"
| Mayor Richardson stated that his
wife does not want him to fly, but he
does not expect her to offer any Sc
! rious objection. He says that If she
sees the "didoes" tombstone Will cut
up with the machine when he is
alone she may be frightened. but that
he does not do the same way when
flying with passenger.