The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-09-28

Domodossola, Italy, Sept 23.--The |
great feat of crossing the snow
capped Alpine barrier between
Switzerland and Italy, in a heavier
than-air machine, was accomplished
today by George Chavez the young
Peruvian aviator.
The plucky hero Of the exploit,
however. lies tonight in a local hos
pitai badly injured as the result Of
an ccident that occurred just as he
had completed the most arduous and
Tlerve-racking portion ..e a task he
nad set out to accomplish flight
From Brig, Switzerland across the
Alps to Milan in Italy, in all a dis
tance Of about seventy-five miles
Both his legs are broken, his left
thigh is fractured and his body is
badly confused; but the physicians in
attendance are Of the opinion that
these hurts will not prove fatal and
that unless unlocked for compl'ca-
tions unsue Chavez will be about ir
two months.
The accident occurred as Chavez
was endeavoring to make a landing
here. The Alps had been crossed
successfully and the aviator was de-
cending with the power Of his ma
chine cut OF.
When about thirty feet above the
ground a sudden gust of wind seemed
to catch the monoplane, which turn
ed over and fell. When the crowds
that had been watching the descent
ran up they found Chavez living
bleeding and unconscious Beneath the
twisted wreckage.
Fifty miles away lay Milan, the
goal Chavez was seeking in an en-
deavor to win a prize of $2O,O0t, Of
fered by the Italian Aviation Society.
Chavez had lost the race.
circumstances Favorable.
The weather at Brig was clear and
bright when Chavez made his start.
Leaving the ground with his motor
runnmg at full speed he rose in
|:swstt4ng oip.l-s urrsf. -he retsehed an
altitude sufficient for him to clear the
sho'tfder to tire southeastward of
BT This obstacle hating been
overcome, the avafgSor headed his
monOplane straight for the snow
capped crags Of the Fletchurn. Con-
stantiy ascending Chavez reached the
Simplon Kium. where at an altitude
estimated at 1900 feet he turned his
machine south over the terrifying
Simplon Pass, with the Kaltwasser
Glacier at his left and the frozen peal,
Of the Hubschhorn at his right.
After crossing the divide, Chavez
turned to the towering white noun
tain head OF Mt. Leone, which rises
TO height of 1854 feet. and passed
down above the Condo Gorge. until
he reached the open valley of Verde,
and tren descened easily toward Do
m on dossola, which Is $50 feet above
sea Peerl. 1t was here that the acct
dent Cured.
Beat Worlds Record.
Some o fthe spectators Of the flight
say that Chavez. after crossing the
SirnproR Pass. followed the short cut
route over the Monzer Pass, which is
5000 TSst above sea level. IF this be
SO it iS possible that the Peruvian
beat his "own worlds record for height
of 1921 feet.
The twenty-five miles between Brig
and Domodossola. which it took the
armies of Napoleon fortnight to
negotiate. Chavez accomplished by
the route OF the eagle in exactly forty
minutes. From the high point at
Mcnzera he descended 1000 feet in
thirteen minutes, his machine gain
ing in power peaks, gui1ies ana hills
beyond until the speed was terrific
as it approacf cfred the aerodrome here.
This doubtless caused the accident
which turned the cheers of admir-
alton Of the waiting crowd into cries
Of horror when the machine came
hurtling to the ground jc1st as It
seemed that Chavez was about to
alight In safety.
How Accident Happened.
After treatment in the hospital
Chavez regained consciousness, but
was unable to explain how the acct
dent had occurred The generally ac-
cepted opinion is that the accident
was due to a slight shift in the rud-
der while the monoplane was being
sent at high rate OF speed.
thousands Of the aviator's friends
and admirers, arrived from Milan and