The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-22


 Syracuse, N. Y, August 21.-Lost with his aeroplane in trying to fly from Lyons, N Y., to Auburn 25 miles distant, liar ny N. Atwood, the Boston aviator, who is flying from St. Louis to New York wandered about in the air for almost an hour this afternoon and finally was forced by darkness to land in an unex- pected spot, five miles west of Syra- cuse. The delay caused serious set back in the attempt which the aviator Is making to break the worlds record in cross country aeroplane flying.
 Atwood ascended at Lyons to Fly In an air line 9S miles to Utica before night. Just after he started he decided to make a detour from the course which he mas followed along the tracks of the New York Central railroad and cut across country to give the crowds at Auburn an opportunity to see him. But later over the farm lands he lost his bearings, and not wishing to alight he kept circling about hoping to pick out Auburn. over villages and lonely farm houses he wan dered without avail.
 Meanwhile great uneasiness was felt as to his fate by thousands of people who waited in parks and on house tops to see him at Syracuse and Otlca. Anxious messages were sent over the felegraph wires. but word came Dack ! that after leaving Lyons he had ven turcd off his course to the south, and nothing later had been seen of him. The usual 10-minute reports Of his progress were lacking. No telegraph or telephone communication could De had with the farm houses in the coun- try over which he had disappeared
 It was 1925 D. m. when Atwood left Lyons At 5:20 D. he suddenly ap- peared over Auburn and landed there.
 Fearful of being lost, since he was away from his regular course, Atwood did not venture away from eaburn until s:45 D. m, when he ascended, un- certain as to his destination.
 Many Await Arrival
 Ten thousand persons at Utica await ed his approach until sundown, Syra- cuse was kept anxious until, at 7l' word came that he had landed safeiy at Belle Island, five miles west Of Syra- cuse. Atwood said that in today wanderings he had flown at least S5 miles, but could claim for his record the 40 miles between Lyons and Belle Island His total flying time was one hour and 2S minutes.
 Tt was the most exciting experience in the air I ever had" said Atwood After ascending at Lyons looked at the map and concluded l could ma my way to Auburn 1 had gone ten miles, perhaps. away from the railroad tracks and I was completely at loss to know where Auburn was. l kept on going, sometimes rising to high altitude Il, a hope of seeing the town from afar The more 1 went the more confused became. Soon my gasoline began to run low, and I knew If I landed out there l might be miles from a new sup ply.
 Finally, I shot off in tangent south ward. and in short time Hbeheld what I took to be the buildings of the Auburn pententiary. A few minutes later l land ed there. The reason did not leave Au- burn sooner was that there were sncn crowds there, without sufficient poiiee protection. had to fight the people back l got into the air again as soon as possi- he, determined to make Utica without Stopping. Just west of Syracuse darkness <Overtook me and I had to land.
 Tomorrow I will disregard all sched- Ruled landing places and will attempt to fly 'kas far as Albany. 163 miles, by way of xSyracuse and Utica.'
 His Record
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