The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-09-18
He HITS A TREE
Rodgers, the Third Aviator to
Enter the Race
For the Hearst Prize, Meets
With an Accident.
HE FALLS 35 FEET.
His Injury Is Slight, But Ma
chine Is Wrecked.
He Started From Sheepshead
Bay Sunday Afternoon.

Middletown, n. Y, Sept. 1S.-In at
tempting to resume his flight to the
Pacific coast this morning. c. P. Rod
gers, the third aviator to start in COM
petition for the Hearst prize, crashed
| into tree and fell with mis- aero
plane 35 feet to the ground. The air
man received scalp wounds, not Sc
rious, but his machine was wrecked
SO badly that he probably will be un-
able to fly tomorrow.
Rodgers stuck to his seat during
the plunge but was thrown out when
the machine hit the ground and
caught under one of the wings, just
| escaping being crushed to death by
the heavy engine. At first it was
thought that he was badly hurt, but
after a physician had dressed his
wounds he went back to the scene of
the accident and worked with his
helpers ascertaining the amount of
the damage. After the first inspection
he said if the engine could be repaired
the other broken parts could be sup
piled from duplicates in his special
train- If obliged to send back to New
ork for another engine he did not
know how long he might be delayed.
In any event he had no expectation
of getting away again before tomor-
row morning
The transcontinental racer rose
before daylight today intending, if
possible to create a new distance rec
ord for one days flight. He left the
ground at 6:15. Although there was
little. wind he failed to get a good
start and nearly struck the four foot
stone wall surrounding the pleasure
grounds from where he took off. Then
at a height of 20 feet one of his planes
struck the limb of a willow tree.
This threw him out of his course and
he crashed full speed into big
hickory just beyond.
The branches of the tree partly
broke the force of his fall. but the
machine came down so hard head-on
that the engine was partly buried in
the soft ground. Rodgers was pulled
out from under his plane still smok-
ing a cigar, he lit just before the
start He was assisted to his special
train, which stood waiting near by
with steam UP ready to accompany
him on today's journey over the Erie
railroad. Rodgers landed here at
6:18 o'clock yesterday evening, after
making his first days flight from
Sheepshead Bay, about so miles in
one hour and So minutes. If all went
we'll today he had hoped by Tuesday
to pass his competitor, James J. Ward,
who was delayed at Owego, N. Y, by
an accident last Saturday.
Rodgers said investigation showed
that everything was wrecked except
the radiators and one gasoline tank.
The machine is practically ruined, but
reconstruction so that it will not be
necessary to start gain from New
York with an entirely new machine.
Apparently Rodgers will not be able to
make another start before Wednesday
morning.
Realizing the hopelessness of his
machine, Rodgers said he would re-
turn to New York tonight and make
another start in a new aeroplane
Jimmie Ward Reaches EImira
Elmira, Sept. 18.-James Ward. on his
coast to coast flight, flew over Elnira
at 11:15 this morning, having left
/ Owego, 36 miles, at 10:45. He did not
stop here.
With his new engine working splen-
didly James J. Ward, the young coast
to coast flier, made a successful get
away from here at 1O:42 today Just
before leaving he was informed of
Rodgers mishap this morning. That's
tough luck" said Ward. Il know just
how he feels"
Ward expects to reach Brantford,
Canada tonight.
Corning, n. Y. Sept. 1S.-Ward ar
rived here at 1871 this morning, land
ing in a field north of this city. First
he circled over the business section Of
the town, flying very high. He re-
manned for luncheon.
Wards landing at Corning was due to