The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-08-16
A|RMAN CONTINUES
HIS LONG FLIGHT
ATWOOD DEsCENDs AT ELKnART,
IND, ON WAY FROM ST. LOUIS
TO BOSTON.
LANDS IN WRONG SPOT
FLAG ON WIND MILL TOWER
RAISED by AERoPLA>E EN-
THUsISAsT, DECIENEs
AVIATOR.

ELkHART. IND. Aug. l5,-An
american nag Haunted in the breeze
from the dizzy heights Of windmill
tower, caused Aviator Harry \, At
wood to make a landing here this eve
ming, which was not on the program
The enthusiasm of former Policeman
John Defrees. who has developed into
fame as an aeroplane fan, and who
has taken possession of the windmill
tower, was mistaken by the aviator
for Il signal to come on down.
This he did, and the waiting crowds
at the driving park, the scheduled
landing place two miles distant, We're
grievousiy disappointed for Il few
minutes. Atwood circled high above
the windmill from which the flag dis
play was made and then gracefully
landed in.an ideal field, 6. G. Mayer,
his manager, who was with the crowds
at the driving park, FASTENED in an
automobile to the scene of the land
ing. The situation was explained, and
in fifteen minutes Atwood was again
soaring over the city and landed as
scheduled at the driving park in q
few minutes
Crowd Surrounds Airman.
The time OF the 100 mile fight
from Chicago was two hours and six
teen minutes. At his first landing
place Atwood was quickly surrounded
by II crowd of perhaps 2,o00, who
rushed te the field in the outskirts Of
the town In automobiles and all man
ner of conVeyances. The machine
was pushed To -ane-e end of the-aeld
and the motors started. Through q
lane of humanity which stood at re
spectful distances on either side the
aeroplane skinned through the hay
field for about 1000 feet and then
rose like a bird. a great shout went
up. By way Of good measure Atwood
circled over this impromptu crowd
and dashed on to the driving park
where he VAS greeted by an enthusi-
astic throng.
II was unable to see the driving
park grounds, said Atwood, land
could hardly see the town. all nestled
down among the trees. | was running
low on gasoline and decided to land
having selected this broad open field
nv motors were working splendidly.
/ shall leave Elkhart around or S
o clock In the morning. and will go to
Toledo tomorrow. The following day
/ viii go to Cleveland
Asks of Chicago Meet.
Atwoods first question when he
landed was concerning the events Of
to-day at the Chicago international
aviation meet.
When informed that Aviator Badger
had been fatally injured, Atwood ex-
claimed.
why. he was the last person 10
shake hands with me when | left Chi
cago. 1t seems incredible that this
news should follow SO quickly"
While Atwood declined to discuss his
acceptance OF the William Randolph
Hearst s5o,oo0 offer for a coast to
coast flight, it was indicated by his
manager that tho offer was being fay-
orably considered.
Atwood assembled from Grant PARK,
Chicago at 8: %. after a dispute with
the officials ri the Chicago meet The
young aviator did not want to start
from in front of the judges stand con-
tending that the going" at that point
was too rough
Gets Check For 81 900.
At 3:25 he was approached by Frank
y. Mudd. chairman of the contest COM
mttee. who informed Atwood that he
must start at the appointed time from
In front of the judges stand or for
felt "A check for 81 GOO which was To
be his reward for his exhibition At
wood finally consented and as he was
about to ascend he was handed Ger
tilted check for 81 900. Shortly before
he started for Elkhart. a friend Of the
aviator attempted 10 induce him u
take q pretty blonde young lady, who
( is employed as a stenographer by tbs
aviation committee. along as a pas
senger,
Before leaving Chicago. Atwood
stated that he was more confident thar
/ ever that he wound gain the $4,000
| purse offered for fitgft f7orn ST. flouts
/ to Boston
/ He said the worst air currents HI
| had ever experienced We're those he
encountered over Chicago. Monday ar
/ ternoon.