The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-08-14
ON AIRSHlP TOUR
Atwood Leaves st. Louis for
New York and Boston.
Will Fly by Way Of Chicago and
Lake Cities.
DISTANCE 1,46O MILES
Arrives at Springfield in Two
Hours and % Minutes.
DISTANCE 1,46O MILES
He Expects to Reach Chicago
Some Time This Evening.

Springfield. ILL.,, Aug. 11.-SWeeping
over towns and villages apparently
with perfect ease. Harry n. Atwood of
Boston. in his Burgess Wright biplane,
arrived in Springfield at 1890 o'clock
today, thus completing the first leg of
his 1,46O-mte flight across the con-
tinent from St. Louis to New York and
Boston by way of Chicago.
Atwood covered the SO miles from
st. Louis to Springfield in . hours and
IS minutes His highest altitude on
the trip as reported was 1000 feet, but
generally he kept lower skimming
over towns in easy view of the thou
sands who turned out all along the
route.
ST. Louis. Aug. 14.-Amid the cheers
of the huge crowd that had gathered
on Art Hin in Forest Park to witness
the event and under a sky obscured By
clouds, Harry n. Atwood of Boston this
morning shortly after s o'clock began
his record breaking flight of 1,460 miles
across the continent from St. Louis to
New York and Boston by way of Chi
cago and other cities
Beginning at an early hour the me-
chanicians made preparations for the
long air voyage. The Burgess Wright
biplane was brought forth from the
hangar where it had been under guard
since last night. Every inch of the ma
chine was gone over and all of its parts
adjusted.
Atwood arrived early in an automo-
bile from his quarters at a downtown
hotel and was accompanied by his
manager, A. Leo Stevens of New York.
He Immediately made a careful in
spection of the aeroplane and satisfied
himself that everything was in readiness
for the start. AS early as AtWood's
mechanicians had been on the field q.
large crowd of eager spectators had
been before them and when Atwood
himself appeared the crowd was so
large it was with difficulty restrained
by the specia detail of mounted and
lnmOunted police.
On several occasions the spectators
almost succeeded in breaking through
the lines and pushing within a few
yards of the aeroplane in their en-
deavor to see Atwood. Having COM
pleted his inspection of the biplane
and pronOuncing everything in readi-
ness Atwood climbed into the seat and
gave the word 10 start the engine. One
of the nechanicians gave the propellers
a whirl and the start was made.
The start.
For about a hundred yards the aero
plane skinned lightly over the ground
then Atwood slightly tilted his planes
and the car rose gracefully into the air
gradually reaching the 1000 feet he
deemed sufficient for a safe flight over
the high buildings in the business dis
trict. He flew al this height so that
had an accident occurred to his power
he could have planed to a safe landing
After leaving the starting grounds he
headed south Il short distance and then
east to the Mississippi river over which
he flew -rntil opposite the central sec
tion. He then went west and circlcd
over the skysCraper district.
He then again headed for the Mis-
sissppi river which he followed north
for about mile when he headed east
and after traversing Venice and Gran
ite CITY. H.. disappeared i'm the haze
During his flight over the city the
streets below were Tired with specta-
tors who cheered his appearance. Roofs
OF buildings and other vantage points
mess for an hour or more practically
Wis suspended.
To stop at Springfield.
Before climbing into the seat of his
machine. Atwood said he expected tC
reach Springfield. Ill. at about moor
providing nothing happened to force
landing sooner. At Springfield Atwood
plans to make a short stop to replen-
ish his gasoline and oil and also for re-
freshments. He then will continue or
TO Chicago. passing over Bloomington
and will land on the outskirts of the
city. He expects to arrive there thi.
evening Early tomorrow morning hc
viii again ascend and will circle above
Chicago before starting on the trip easi
to Toledo, Cleveland, Buffalo and othe1
smaller cities and thence to New York
and finally Boston. Atwood said he
expects to complete the long aerial voy-
age in about ten days.
Progress of Flight.
Alton. H.. Aug. 14.-Atwood passed
over Alton at 9:07 o'clock, flying high
and i'm straight line north. Busi-
ness here at standstill from the min
ute word was flashed from St Louis
that the aviator was on his way here
until he passed out of sight again.
The streets. tops of houses and the
bluffs were dotted with spectators to
bid him godspeed on his journey.
Godfrey, Ill. Aug. 14.-Atwood
passed over Godfrey at 9:0s o'clock
He is FLYING at a height Of more than
1000 feet and is following 7he Chi
cago & Alton railroad t. Springfield
Godfrey is 31.8 miles from St. Louis
Brighton. Ill, Aug 14-Atwood
winged over this place ct 9:17 o'clock
He is flying low, at a height of prob
ably not more than 300 feet. but is
travelling at terrific speed.
Carlinville, ILL.,. Aug. 14.--Atwood
by passing over this city at 9:37 O'Clock
this morning successfully completed
60 of the SO miles to Springfield, the
first leg of his flight to ths Atlantic
ocean. He is flying h 'gh and at &
4 better than mile a minute clip now
a Nilwood, Ill. Aug. IA Atwood Z
ypace has slackened somewhat. He
reached here at 9:45 O'Clock. having
covered the nine miles Intervening be
tween Carlinville and this place in Il
minutes. It is not apparent. however
that he is experiencing aEy trouble.
Girard. Aug. 14.-Atwood passed owe
Glrard. 70 miles north of St. Louis a
1904 o'clock.
Firden. H.. Aug. 14-Atwood fey