Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-29
LONG FLIGHT FAILS
Lack of Oil Stops Chicago to
Springfield Trip.
STILL CHANCE FOR PRIZE
Ten Thousand Dollars to Be Paid if
Completed by Sunday.
IN AIR OVER TWO HOURS
Brookins Covers Seventy-Five Miles
From Starting Point Before
Compelled to Alight.

CHICAGO. September 29-At 9:23
o'clock this morning Walter Brookins, in
the Wright biplane Hawk, started for
Springfield. ILL.,, 1877 miles away, in an
effort to break the long distance sus
tained-fight record of the country.
His destination was the state fair
grounds at Springfield and his object the
winning of the Chicago RecordH Herald
prize of $4,000. Brookins said he intended
to sail high to avoid the treacherous air
currents.
Stops to Replenish Oil.
Brookins stopped at Gilman for oil at
II :3S The stop precludes the making of a
record for sustained fight, as Gilman is
but eighty-one miles from the center of
Chicago and seventy-fve miles from
Washington Park, the actual starting
point of the fight.
Brookins resumed his flight from Gill
man at 12:42 pm.
The descent of Brookins at Gilman will
not prevent the winning of the ten-thou-
sand-dollar prize offered by the Record
Herald. as H. H. Kohlsaat stated today
that he would award the prize should the
flight to Springfield be completed before
next Sunday.
Confidence in Machine.
The aviator's successful exhibition
flights here Tuesday and Wednesday had
given him confidence in his machine. He
left the ground without difficulty, circled
to test his machine. and then shot away
like homing pigeon to the southwest, in
the direction Of the state capital. His
last words were spoken to Wilbur
Wright, inventor Of the air craft
Goodbye. Mr.. Wright; I'll see you in
Springfield" he said. Half an hour later
the Record-Herald special train, crowded
with interested spectators, started in pur-
suit Of the aviator.
Followed in Special Train.
Far beneath him this morning the Ili-
nois Central had ready a special train
which was to endeavor to beat the daring
sky mariner into the state capital. With
q favorable wind it had been promised
there would have been a race such as
never Witnessed before. AS the wind
was indicated this morning Brookins only
smiled, saying he had about an even
chance with the locomotive.
Brookins intended to try to alight in the
center OF tho race track. directly in front
of the grandstand, at the state fair at
Springfield.
Awaited Arrival Of Fuel.
Wilbur Wright, who was a passenger
on the special train following the avi-
ator, overlook his pupil at Gilman, and
assisted in the preparations for the re-
sumption Of the flight. He predicted
that Brookins would reach Springfield
without making a descent, and would
thus break the record tor sustained
fight across country.
Brookins descended easily in q field
zoo yards from the Illinois Central
station at Gilman. where he awaited
the arrival OF Mr.. Wright, who was
carrying the necessary fuel. The spe-
cial train left the station at 1907
o'clock. with Mr.. Wright aboard, Brook
ins not resuming his flight until thirty
four minutes later.
Brookins said he had enjoyed the trip,
that he was not in the least fatigued
and that the biplane was working smooth
~. he anticipated no difficulty in reach
ing Springfield without a further descent
The aerOplane had maintained an aver
age height OF about q thousand feet, from
shouts OF the people Growing the streets
of the towns over which he passed. In
practically all of the towns along the
route business was entirely suspended
as the air machine passed above them.