New-York tribune., 1910-09-19
FLIES BY LIGHT Of MOON
"Slim" Shriver Goes Up 800
Feet and Does Thirty Miles.
POWER GONE. FLIGHT ENDS
California with Chin Whisker
Talks About Buying a
Monopiane.

last night by flying in the light OF the
moon for forty-ffre minutes.
There were times when Shriver, affec-
tionately known as "Slim. rose hVe
hundred feet in the air. He made
twenty-five laps of the mile and a quar-
ter course, the total distance travelled
being estimated at thirty-one and one
quarter miles.
shriver has surprised those who did
not know him and more than satisfied
those who remember the frank, coura-
geous manner of man he has been since
first employed as chief mechanician for
Glenn II C1lrtfss. Three weeks ago
slim completed an aeroplane aS Gar
den City. G K Hamilton few 1t before
the paint was dry. Shriver stood on the
ground and shivered with relief. The
next day he tried it. and it has been an
almost daily occurrence since to hear of
Shriver doing the unexpected.
Last nights moonlight trip was not
wholly unexpected. In the afternoon he
expressed q hope that when the moon
rose he would do likewise. Nothing Of
the press agent about Shriyer. He did
not advise any one TO stay OH his ac-
count.
But the character Of the man has be
come known down Garden City way
Automobile parties were arranged.
Hundreds OF yellow lights were turned
toward the centre of the aviation field
by s o'clock At $50 O'Clock Shriver
was flying Just before leaving the
would confuse him. and so these were
all turned away. and the men and wom-
en- gave the aviator a raucous welcome
each time he passed the grandstand by
honking with a will
Stayed Up While GasoIene Lasted.
''Slim" came down at 9:35 o'clock
when he discovered his supply Of ga.so-
lene was exhausted. He made a quick
drop and landed about mile from the
starting point He said that conditions
were perfect. and had his supply of
power held out he could have kept on
until daylight.
Down at Garden City, where the avi-
ators grow and tents for flying machines
dot the Hampstead plains. all was not
harmonious yesterday afternoon. Usual
" this state Of affairs would be blamed
or the wind. but there was nothing
wrong atmospherically. It was beauti-
ful afternoon.
There was, however warm windy
warfare Those who paid admission TO
the grandstand missed the real show
They saw some attractive flying by
slim" Shriver, but they did not hear
any Of the particulars in the story of
California capitalists" persistent at
tempts TO buy a cut-to-order monoplane-
r. l. Matteson came from Santa Ma
ria, Cal. He came with d greater vari-
ETY. Of beard and certificates Of Western
mining stock than any actively inter
ested amateur aviator ever carried upon
an aviation field in the East. His whis-
kers are light red. with flowing ends 10
east and west. and pointing south from
his chin was an appendaSe similar in
color, shape and length to that found on
the chin Of the average brindle billy
goat.
While talking Mr.. Matteson did not
molest the mustachios. They were never
fondIed, as they We're waxed and able
to take care of themselves. But the
wind. even when it blew gently. dis
turbed the "bigotes" of the high strung
Californian.
When the leaves on nearby trees
began TO rustic 1t was d signal that
disturbing zephyr was coming his way.
II was in moments such as these that
the Californian held the southern
strands in his right hand while he
talked.
Californian Talks Well.
He is q fluent taIker Let the subject
be oil wells, gold mines. Southwestern
climate or basic patent rights, as they
may be found to rest with the Wrights
or not TO exist az all, r. L. Matteson
talks well
He remembers dates, diameters. horse
power and Western census returns with
out exertion or reference tables. Espe-
cialIy is he informed on the flying game.
He began TO make himself master Of the
science of aeronautics several weeks
ago. which is said 10 account for the fact
that he now knows the things that
others, including tho Wrights, or even
Professor A T. Zahm, of Washington,
hesitate % state definitely because they
say they do not know.
Those who know Mr.. Matteson say he
could sell the blue SKY and collect for 1T
If ne chose 10 take the distribution end
of the aeronautiC business.
But he is man who wants TO be
buyer. He has with him besides his chin
decoration ana wealth Of information a.
San Francisco bankbook purporting to
prove that there is or deposit there TO
his credit the sum Of S282. 600 after
uaving this weeks hoard. Oil wells had
a lot to do in the matter, his new-found
friends declare, and they ought to know
because Mr.. NIatteson iet them in one
rhe news.
Mr Matteson came East to buy a
made to-order monoplane. He came
from a part of the country where he
SAYS. d man with the money 10 settle
can expect action when his wants are
explained He lies awake nights now
irving TO remember the name OF the per-
son who advised nim to look TO this part
Of the United States for satisfaction.
He understood. ne says, that the place
10 talk spot cash fer immediate delivery
cf fiving machines was the metropolis
81 4F,e f,rSt fYair n the Grand frau-