The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-10-09
tombstone S r are we'll
Turn w idly Cheered
by Chattering Flock
BIPLANE MADE
SUDDEN DROP
Damp Cord Tightens and shutS.
OFF Motor, but Machine Quick-l
ly Rises Again and Scars
Through Mist as Shrill
Winds Shrek and
Sing.

In drenching downpour of rain that
drove before the southeasterly wind
like stabblng needles, Ralph john
stone flung his gauntlet to tina
storm yesterday afternoon and made
a flight in his Wright biplane which
lacked nothing of the spectacular
which has distinguished him among
all the aviators OF the country.
tombstone had said he would maka
an ascension, rain or shine, and. trua
to his word, he flew. The rain had
been coming down practically with
out noticeable cessation since thS
night before. and the field and track
and outlying paths were sodden. Buzz
about 1000 people braved the inclem-
ency, mainly to see the aviator carry
out his promise. About 500 people
stuck to the grandstand. where they
could obtain good view. and ths
others strung themselves along this
outer rail- They were drenched. and
their feet were wet. Down the backs
of their necks the rain poured in littls
rivulets. but they hardly noticed this
their bodies. 1t had been noised
abroad that tombstone would dare thu
rain. and the enthusiasm of aviation
was never dampened.
Ready to Brave storm.
tombstone was ready at O'CLOCK.
but the hight was postponed an hour.
At 3 o'clock the front wall of the
hangar was drawn away. and the aero
plane. built practically new since, this
disaster of Wednesday,, was opened to
the public view. TOMBSTONE prepared
himself Tor the weather by encaslng
himself in u rubber suit.
Everybody in the hangar crowded
around to watch him put on the rubber
suit. Some seemed to think IL was
part of the game, part of the show
for the price of admission. and they.
glutted their eyes on the strange slgnt
of a man clothing himself against the
rain. 1t was explained gently. how
the suit simply to Keep from getting
wet. and then a light of understands
ing dawned upon the crowd.
The aeroplane was soon barred to the
storm. and in a few minutes was in
the field and on the monorail. Several,
hundred people attempted to get into
the field, for Il closer view, but were
ordered back by the police. With a.
last look at the wires and last trial
OF the mot1r, tombstone climbed into
his frail-looking perch, his eyes facing
to the west, as the monorail had been
laid In the northeastern corner of tha
field on account OF the wind sprung
in new quarter The heavy rain,
drops battered down on the taut can-i
vas of the planes; shrill winds whis-
tied through the ribs and wires, but,
the aviator paid little heed. He gazed;
srimly before him, gauginS his direc-,
lion, and then gave the signal. The,
whirred against the driving
rain, and the aeroplane, now more like
a swan rising from the bosom of the
water glided down the single rail (
and sprang into it's element. The
gliding wheel dropped; the machinsl
lifted striking Tor the west at thirty
miles an hour.
Suddenly Cams Down.
Those same fine needles of rain
stabbed tombstone in the face. and the
chill wind blew through his rubber
suit. But Up he Went, and was we'll
Down the lield, at an altitude of 200
teet When the onlookers saw tho
motor stop. Instantly they knew that
was wrong. Johnstone
seered to the south and glided down
Just as tired swallow wings to It's
perch after i day-long flight Man
lger Thomas p. Jackson. the crew OF
and the other helpers
streamed up field to see what had hap
,ened tombstone was smiling, waiting
'or them.
The cord which connects with thu
motor cut-off--the same cord which
Mayor Richardson accidentally touched
IN Wednesday, bringing the machine
to earth-had Shrunk in the
,eavy rain, and the shrinkage had
,een sufficient to pull It taut and oper-
tie the cutoff. 1t was peculiar ac-
ident. but easily explained. The cord.
which ordinarily has only few inches
eeway. was drawn almost tight, and
+ohnstone pointed at II as the reason
or his unexpected descent. The slight
,st touch on the cord stops the en-
;ine
The mechanics soon had the aero
,lane back on it's wheels, and 1t was
oiled back to the monorail, whore the
ause of the accident was quickly ex-
,lained to the anxious crowd.
Flying, In the Rain.
gain the motor was tried; the cord
vas loosened to allow FOR plenty Of
and again the giant man- Il
made bird, glided down the rail and
allied Rlott, tombstone sprang into tho
ir. and, soaring upheld, vecred to the
lorth. He cut away over the big
eld, headed for Ginter PARK.
Hes gone OF for visit and 2
uD OIL lei. SstlNi NV 1oubt
ohnstone did not naed refreshment.
nd ID, turned, soaring behind the
main eNmpition building over the
eads of those who We're clearing up
hei, t'.ings and bidding adieu to the
rounds. He drove right into the
eeth OF the wind, the aeroplane, with
is wings shrunG taut. rising majeA-
ically to meet the gale, The rain
it into his face and coursed down HIS
oggIes He was almost blinded by
he mist before his eyes. and hts
auntleted hands were chilled by the
ylntry blast. Then he tackled. With