The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-09-27
Daring Aviator Crosses the
SimplOn Pass.
WRECKED IN SIGHT OF GOAL
Peruvian Pirdman Was Caught in a
Gust Of Winl, Machine Plunges
to Earth and He is Badly
Injured.

Domo Dosevla. Italy. Sept 2i.-To
George Chavez, the Peruvian aviator,
belongs the honor Of being the first to
Ay across the Alps.
As Chavez rose the rhythmical roar
of his motor showed that the engine
was sparkling regularly The aero
plane roes in wide circles higher and
higher until il was a tiny speck
against the fleecy clouds hanging over
the Simpleon pass Then it disap-
peared from view. following the line
Of Napoleon's ride All along were
signalling stations Chayez's last
words before the start We're: What
ever happens. shall be found on the
other side OF the Alps.
As he enterer the area above the
Simpleon kuhn he rushed into cur
rents of ley winds which seem never
to rest between the mountains. The
spectators at the station trembled as
the aeroplanc was tossed about Ike a
boat in a seaway Chavez, with SUI
perb skin. fought the currents, tack
ing and rising after each buffet lie
was signalled across the Simpleon
kuhn. 5000 feet above the sea level
Then camo the most perilous part OF
his flight. After passing the old hos
picc came 10000 feet OF the peaks OF
Hubschorn and Montecone. with a
sharp descent on the italian side to
Domo Dosola. only $50 feet above the
level Of the sea
What happened then only Chavez
can tell. Strong glasses brought him
into view. The hearts of the specta-
tors stood still as they watched him
from the tremendous height through
the Grand ravine Then cheers rose up.
Hardly had the cheerers realized that
a man had flown over the Alps than
they saw him sweeping down on the
village
Almost in the act Of alighting some
thing went wrong Some think the
aeroplanc capsized. while others think
that "A gust of wind struck it just as
il was alighting. Anyway. the ma
chine fell heavily. Chavez. when taken
from beneath the wreckage was seen
10 be- fearlully injured He now lies
in a critical state in the village, but
he is expected TO recover.
Chayez's departure from this place
was Witnessed by the whole popula-
ito. He flew AT a tremendous height
10 D0mo Dosola. when the control
commissioners and Chavez's manager
were awaiting al the spot appointed.
Il was thought that he would be un.
able. from the immense height at
which he was flying, TO alight at the
landing place. Frantic signs were
made to point out where he was TO
come down.
Chavez began 10 descend. not sus-
pecting that a violent wind was blow
ing lower down. as al the higher altl-
lude a perfect calm prevailed. He
tried TO slide down on his planes. but
a gust OF wind caught the machine
anu aNNAtHle upn'A IT, 80 81 49, 49,
ward cry OF horror assembled from
the crowd. which rushed TO the place
where the aeroplane struck the
ground. Chavez was taken from the
debris and removed to hospital
When he regainod consciousness he
declared that he was suffering great
pain and said: 1T is horrible"
Chavez's right leg is broken above
and below the knee The fractured
bone Of the left leg protruded through
the skin. lie Is bruised and battered
all over his body. especially on the
shoulders. His goggles were driven
into his nose His face and lips were
lacerated by splintered wood.
There is general regret that Fate,
which permitted him to make what has
been described as the most reckless
fight ever attempted should have
dealt less kindly with him when he
had reached the zone OF easy flying
and the prize was in sight.