The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-10-12
COLONEL MAKES
HIS FIRST FLIGHT
IN AEROPLANE
Declares 1t Finest Sen.
sation He Ever Ex-
perienced.
REMAINS IN AIR
THREE MINUTES
Hoxsey Invites Former President
to Make Trip, and Without
Hesitation He Accepts.
Waves Hand so Vigorous
ly That Aviator Orders
Him to Keep Still.

1900
st. Louis, Mo-, October 11.-rheodore
to-day made nm aeroplane
flight, ms passenger of Archibnld
Hoxsey, and snid it wns the finest sem
sation he ever had experienced. He
two tines around the aviation
field at Kinloch Park in three minutes
and twenty seconds. He waved his
much to the discontinue of the
aviator. who feared that the colonel
might hit controlling cord. When
the. machine nliEhted easily few feet
from the starting place, mighty
shout of applause went up.
Hoxsey. Wright aviator, said 1Ir.
Roosevelt made good passenger, ex-
cept thnt he enjoyed the trip so much
TINT Hoxscy was afraid the colonel
wonid fall out or Interfere with the
engine which was roaring mt his side.
The colonel waved his hnnds Mt the
crowd so vigorously that Hoxsey called
out to him; ."Neep your hands ON the
rail, Colonel"
Colonel Roosevelt. who had for
gotten to hold himself in, waved his
hands once more and then obeyed or
ders
The colonels fight was a surprise
to everybody. Although he had been
invited to go. no one had the least idea
that he would do SO, and he himself
did not decide to fly until the moment
before he stepped into the machine.
The trip to the aviation field to watch
the aeroplane flights was on the at-
ternoon's program for the colonefs
day in st. Louis. He went to Kinloch
in an automobile at the head of a pro-
cession OF motor cars half a mile long.
The cars were filled with members
of the Republican state and City Com
mittees and business men.
The ride was a fast and dusty one
much of the way. Colonel Roosevelt's
face was covered with a thick coating
of Missouri soil.
Colonel Roosevelt's car was driven
directly on the aviation field.
Hoxsey's biplane was standing di-
rectly in front of the grandstand. Col-
onel Roosevelt stepped out of his auto
mobile with Governor Hadley at his
side. and walked over to the biplane.
He inspected the broad planes and
the engine, and shook hands with the
aviator
I'D like to have you for pas
senger. said HoXsey.
Accepts Invitation.
The colonel looked at him without
word. Then he began to take off
his coat. the first intimation that he
would make a trip in the air
Governor Hadley stepped up quickly
and said: Are you really going up.
colonel?
of course, i am" said the colonel.
Without another word he took his seat
at Hoxsey's direction beside the en-
CINE. Governor Hadley admitted after
wards that he was nervous.
This is my district and 1T extends
up into the air, and feel sense OF
responsibility while the colonel is IN
my territory, he said.
Colonel Roosevelt removed his slouen
hat for the flight and borrowed gray
cap. which he ulled down over his
ewes. HoXsey took his place beside
Colonel Roosevelt, who watched the
prepara tions with a smile of antlclpa-
ton. Four guardsmen seated theni-
selves on the ground TO hold the tall
piece of the airship until the propel-
lers were we'll under way The SIN
cylinder motor Earked and spoutea
smoke. Then the motor was stopped
for a moment. After two more tests
the motor was allowed to run, and the
machine ran oyer the ground qulet!!,
Colonel Roosevelt gripped the rail
3hard and looked straight ahead. The
machine skidded over the field for
few wards. then lifted its nose into the
air, rising easily,
The aeroplane sped quickly around
the field at height OF less than lU0
feet. 1t made the first lap of mile
and half before news lercolated
the crowd that Colonel Roose-
yelt was Hoxsey's passenger. When
the coloItel swept past the grandstand
he leaned forward a bit and waved
his hands. The spectators seemed
frightened and remained silent. watch
ing the aeroplane intently
The flying machine sped by and made
the turn for the second lap, HoNsey
could bs seen to bend over and shout
something into the coionel's ear. The
engine crackled regularly, hurting the
aeroplane forward at speed OF nearly
a mile minute. but from the ground
1T looked as though 1t was travelling
much slower, because 1t sailed so evenly
and smoothly. There was not breath
of wind, and the engine did not miss
Nire once, IN.
At the end of the second lap HoN-
sew dipped his planes, and the machlna
descended easily. striking the ground
without a jar few rods from tho
grandstand, The machine glided over
the grass short distance and stopped,
@ Colonel Roosevelt, smiling his most
expansive smile, disemharked back
wards. He became entangled with the
wires. but was soon cut of them.
Colonel Wtldiy Cheered.
When the people saw that he had
banded safely they cheered the colonel
Wildly. Colonel Roosevelts first act
after alighting was 70 shake Hoxsey'ss
hand vigorously.