The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1911-09-13
OFF ON LONG FLIGHT
Fowler Leaves San Francisco
on Coast to Coast Trip.

elrdman Reached Auburn, Who're He
Remained Last Night, 1926 Miles
East Of San Franclsco-lf the Air.
man Is Successful In His Effort He
VIII Receive About $4,000 In
Prizes.
San Francisco, Sept. 12.-Robert @.
| Fowler, the first of the aYiators to
start in the long transcontinental aero.
plane journey from San Francisco to
New York, began his journey at 1887
o'clock in the presence of a great
crowd in the stadium in the Golden
Gate. He rose in the afr to begin the
greatest aviation feat in worlds his
lory, kissed his mother and she sob.
led, God bless you, my boy. Thon
ne rose about 1000 feet in the air and
beaded due east for his fligh: TO New
York, which, If successful, means $70,-
300 In prizes.
Reports from along the line Of the
Central Pacific railroad, which Fowl
er followed closely showed that the
aviator averaged 55 miles an hour,
as he passed Sacramento, SS.S miles
from this city at 322 o'clock.
The aviator tried out his machine
in the morning and found 1t in good
order.
Passed Over San Francisco.
Fowler rose as gracefully as a bird,
circled over the Golden Gate park
and then sailed over San Francisco,
passing directly above the tall ferry
tower in which there were gang of
moving picture men. The city streets
we're full of people who cheered as the
birdman passed at an elevation Of
about 500 feet.
Fowler passed over Goat island in
San Francisco hay and then over Oak.
land. He was going mile minute
and soon disappeared behind the hills
back Of Berkeley, He passed over Dix
on, 81 miles, at 1858; Davis, 1916 miles,
AZ 3:06, and Sacramento, SS.S miles, at
1922 p. m.
Fowler passed over Sacramento and
at 1928 landed at the state fair
grounds. He made an easy descent.
He Jumped into an automobile and
raced to Governor Hiram Johnson's
office.
Have You any message for the gov
ernor of New York;" asked Fowler.
"Just yourself" said the governor
with laugh. Fowler then took din
ner preparatory to his flight to Colfax.
l44 miles from San Francisco. where
he expects to spend the night.
Inst before he started on his flight,
Fowler said 81 am satisfied that
can win. If I had gone from Los An
geles ! would not feel so confident.
My attention would be taken off my
work with scouting for landing places
and the chances OF not getting fuel
and oil I'd have the Southern desert
and I might find air CONDITIONS new
Under me for the first leg of the trip
to me.
81 can make the mountains. might
as we'll be $500 feet up as 800 and the
Sierras and the Rockies won't worry
me in the least. have got 1t all fig.
ured out, and ! would rather face the
mountains with the data / have than
to start from Los Angeles over level
country.
81 know am regarded as a novice
at the flying game. Well, when you
come to think of it, about all the men
flying today are new at the business,
They simply have regulations because
they have been flying at exhibitions.
] am not saving that Elv and Atwood
and lots of others are not veterans
compared with me-but I do say that |
there is not 2 reason in the world |
that know of why should not be
able to keep my machine In the air |
for Ia miles a day on q straight. |
away course.
I'VE are all pretty new at this busi- |
uNoo' put t.ii ITO Stil-lllduc lly UT. 1 |
hammered away under the Wrights
and did more flying In two weeks than
most exhibiting aviators do In a year."
Stopped at Sacramento.
Fowler remained in Sacramento one
hour resting and replenishing his sup.
ply of gasoline. He was in perfect
condition and on stepping from his
machine at the Park plaza, remarked:
well boys, am here"
At 4:3O p m. he resumed mis- flight
for Colfax, near the foothills of the
Sierras. where he will spend the
night.
Fowler arrived at Auburn, 12G miles
east OF San Francisco, on the South
ern Pacific Overland route, at d;45
p. m. last night where he spent the
night. He left the railroad on enter
Ing Auburn and gracefully circled the
courthouse, making a beautiful land
ing at point on the new raiload cut
off north Of the town. Bells were rung
and whistles footed as he passed over