Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1910-10-06
.BROOKINS MADE
LONGEST FLIGHT
From Chicago to Springfield Distance
Of 1877 Miles.
BROKE THE AMERICAN RECORD
Great Crowds Witnessed the Feat
Was Followed by Special Train
on illinois
Central.

Springfield, ILL.,, Sept. 3O.-Walter R
Brookins few In his Wright bi-plan'
from Chicago to Springfield a distanc'
Of 1877 miles from the starting poin
with but two stops. At the secont
landing at Mt. Pulaski, he had fiowI
1853 miles with but one stop, shatterinl
the American record for distance I'm
der the same conditions, made BY
Glenn H. Curtiss when he flew from
Albany to New York, q distance o.
al miles.
No Accidents Occurred.
Not an accident occurred to mar the
phenomenal feat. Both landings en-
route were without a flaw and the ar
rival in Springfield was made at 4:27
p. m. just three minutes earlier than
the time allotted by Brookins before
the race. A multitude estimated at
100000 waited for the aviator to Up
pear out OF the sky. 1t had been re-
ported that he was due to arrive IN
a few minutes. Eagerly the crowd
gazed at the blue sky toward the
North until finally they distinguished
a tiny speck that grew more distinct
each minute. A shout went up, Its
Brookins," Hes coming" few
moments later and the great white
wings were distinctly visible. The
crowd went mad with enthusiasm;
they broke from behind the fences and
swarmed out into the open space in
the race track. A little while more
and they scattered in fright as Brook
lns plunged recklessly toward them.
The landing was made with ease.
The start from Chicago was made
under almost ideal conditions. AS
early as Z o'clock vast crowds col
lected in Washington Park to watch
the getaway. For more than square
mile the field was lined with men
women and children who pushed and
crowded to get a view Of the daring
boy aviator.
Conditions Were Good.
More than 100000 people watched
the big white bird when the start was
made at 9:15 Conditions were per-
feet and when the word was given, the
motor was started and the biplane
sailed gracefully into the cloudless
sky. Higher and higher 1t mounted,
headed in a southwesternly direction.
The course Of flight for the entire dis
lance followed the Illinois Central
tracks and thousands of country peo-
pie lined the railroad right Of way.
The first stop that had been planned
by Wright was scheduled at Gilman,
30 miles from Chicago. Brookils
anded 'cnere without mfshAp at 11:43, (
'ully 45 minutes before the Daylight .
Special on the Illinois Central.
After waiting for the train and re.
the fuel and oil supply, the
second stage Of the journey was
Itarued.
From Gilman to Springfield the spe-
,ial train and the aeroplane ran neck
Inu neck nrsL one Forging aneau tnen
he other, but never at any time more
han quarter of mile apart.
The Second Stop.
Brookins was again forced at 1920
o descend at Mt. Pulaski, only "a
liles from the state fair grounds.
he landing was one of the most re-
in the history of aviation
'rees and fences surrounded him on
Il sides and with perfect control he
licked out spot, after soaring about
/ a short circle, scarcely more than
alf a block square and landed square.
: in the center, The special train was
ED up, the aeroplanes supplies were
snewed and at S:45 he assembled
gain. From Mt. Pulaski to the fair
rounds speed Of So miles. an hour
as maintained Brookins average
iced for the entire "trip was 80 I-5
lies an hour,