The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1910-12-31
HIS LIFE CRUSHED OUT
WHEN AVIATOR MOISANT.
FALLS FROM AEROPLANE
Daring American Flying for Long Distance Prize Near
New Orleans When M achine Baked, and, While
Trying to Baance It, Hi S Seat Belt Broke and He
Was Dashed to the Ear tn.
Especial from United Press,

Especial from United Press.)
New Orleans, Dec. 31.-Flying for
the Michelin prize Of $4,000, offered
in France, for the longest distance
flight, in circle, John B. Moisant, ma
tive of Chicago and former soldier
of fortune in Central America, was
killed, today, when his aeroplane fell
at Harahan, 10 miles from this city.
, Moisant left here at 8 o'clock for
the flight and had proceeded a few
miles when his machine became un-
manageable. He was about 100 feet
above the ground when the machine
fell. and his life was crushed out.
The dying man was started for this
city but died a minute or two after
being taken from beneath the wreck
age.
Spiral Grounds had been laid out
at Harahan to enable Moisant to
make the Michelin long distance
trophy. Carrying big gasoline tank
In his so horsepower machine he
cended shortly to complete a spec
tacular record by a return trip. The
aviator circled the field three or four
times at an elevation of perhaps 20U
feet.
Suddenly something went wrong
With tie AZ OuChSO dnu
pitched downward. Moisant. mean
time, was lighting valiantly to regain
it's balance. At g. height of perhap
100 feet the strap which held Moisant
in his seat broke and the win6er OF
the Statue of Liberty flight was pre-
cipitated from his machine.
He fell like lead, outdistancing the
machine to the ground. Horrifed
spectators rushed to the wounded
man and picked him up. He was
still breathing. He was hurried to a
fiat car and a special train started
back to the city. Before its arrival,
however, Moisant died, without re-
gaining consciousness.
How the accident occurred will
never be known as the machine was
completely wrecked.
The present week has been mark
ed by an unusual number of aero
plane fatalities. On Wednesday. the
outset OF contemplated flight from
Paris to Brussels and return, Alex
Paula were killed by the zoo foot
fall of their machine. Yesterday, at
st. eyre, France, Lieutenant COM
maunt was killed when his aeroplane
fell $50 feet.
In Nicaragua and other Latin
bore a reputation that was little short
of legendary. In his later day avia-
ton career, he established reputa-
ton for bravery that was unequalied.
Moisant was born In Manteno, Ills.
nearly ry,, 40 years ago GO, and h was taken ger
second Of six children. His father
was a baker and three of the sons
followed the same profession. Their
bakery failed and an uncle gave the
boys sufficient money to go to San
Francisco. From there they drifted
To 90 Vx-ho rod fr,
get possession of an undeveloped cof-
fee plantation, afterwards adding
sugar plantation and establishing soap
and gum factories.
Wild tales were told of Moisant's
exploits in Salvador. 1t is said that
in 1907 he headed an expedition u =
der the auspices of President Zelaya
to conquer Salvador.
His entire army is said to have
consisted of 90 Nicaraguan ex-con-
face Of a force Of several thousand
troops on Salvadoran soil and was
preparing to attack when his army"
thought better of the plan and de-
serted.
Moisant had terrible trip alone,
border. For this revolution, Moisant
property in San Salvador was con-
tiscated for time. While a fugitive
in Nicaragua. Moisant organized q fill
ibuster ng expedition against Saliva
dor. The American cruiser Albany in
terfered and threatened to blaw Moi
SAINTS ship out of the water. Moi
steam, with a cargo worth 500 900
was cast ashore and abandoned in q
gale. Moisant made his way to the
ship in a small "dugout" and took
possession. In the morning the storm
abated and the crew returned. They
ho1f hty chnt nj
revolver. Moisant was holding the
sh p for salvage. The American con-
sui ordered Moisant away. He SIM
ply threatened to blow the head off
the first man who came on board.
There was second exped ton to the
hat off. He held the ship until 1t was
destroyed by the storm, and he. him
SELF rescued by the consul.
Tho brothers engaged in many Of
the South American rebellions. finally
getting 'in right" in Salvador and
cleaning up fortunes.
AS an aviator, Moisant sprang into
fame with one fight. He went to
France about year ago to have built
an aeroplane after his own plans. In
the meantime he bought a Bleriot
passenee~ rarrvin~ Nonoplane After
three preliminary flights, which were
unimportant, Moisant started his fam
Gus Paris-to-London flight with Fill
lux his French mechan.cian, who had
never been in an aeroDiane. as
companion. It was on August 16 of
this year that the cables brought
word that an unidentified man, with
passenger. was trying to fly from
Paris TO London. 1t was hours before
the French correspondents could even
learn his name, so little known was
MoiSant.
Starting from Issy. near Paris. at
5 in the evening he reached Amiens.
"a miles away at 7:30. Rema ming
there over night, Moisant started at