New-York tribune., 1911-01-01


and saw the crash. He uttered only one
word--"God."--his legs gave way and
he fell In the roadway. Although he had
been in several serious accidents him.
self he rose unnerved and cried like a
child
at that time the field announcers
we're rushing up and down, shouting
through their megaphones, mo cause
for alarm. rIoxsey's all right
But Brookins was not convinced.
That's lie!" he shouted back ct one
Of the announcers. "Hoxsey's dead; l
know IT," and again he burst into tears
A reporter Of a Pasadena newspaper
broke the news Of Hoxssy's death 70 MS
mother this afternoon at her Bellevue
Drive home, in that city.
she bore up under the shock with an
exhibition OF the courage that had char
acterized the aerial daring of her son
Although the tragedy had in 1t every
element calculated TO rouse the crowd
to the highest pitch Of excitement. II re-
mained calm during the seconds or HEX
sey's fall and the ensuing long period OF
suspense before they know whether Hox-
sey had been killed or only injured. A
squad of mounted police was drawn UP
around the wreck but the officers were
not needed. A few feld attendants and
newspaper mon attempted to get on the
field.
Souvenir Hunters Absent
The souvenir hunter was conspicuous
by his absence.
w thout waiting for the announcement
that all flying events would be called on
for he day. the crowd OF its own ac-
cord began fling out through the exits
10 go home Only few scattering dis
gruntled ones remained 10 demand BACK
their admission fees and TO dispute with
police and committeeman when their de-
msnds were curtly refused until ar
raneements could le made for proper
refunding.
Every flag about the grandstand and
hangars was placed az half mast ana
every scrap of futtering bunting was
torn down. The entire field was stripped
bare of all decorations, except some mute
expression Of mourning which had been
hastily put IN place in memory OF the
intrepid aviator.
An accident Of some kind was expect
ed when Brookins and Hoxsey, Of the
Wright team. decided to-day 70 defy the
strong wind and assembled
Charles s. Willard, Of the Curtiss team.
had gone UP Just prior to the starting
gun, and declared when he alighted that
no money could induce him TO 90 up
again under such treacherous atmos-
pheric conditions. "The air is full Of
holes, and it is worth any mans life
10 attempt 10 fly now" he said.
Almost at that instant Mortified shout
arose from the grandstand, and Hoxsey
was seen whirling downward.
The mother of the aviator was not
present, although she had intended to
come to the field this morning and take
her first fight with her son. Inlme-
diately after the accident Roy Knaben-
shue. of the Wright company, and
Thomas Jackson. representatives OF the
Wright brothers. went to Pasadena to
inform Mrs. Hoxsey of the tragedy.
Jackson nearly collapsed when he was
informed that Hoxsey was dead. 81
saw Ralph Johnstone killed in Denver
end now I have seen Hoxsey go. It's
too much" he said.
Hoxssy Star Performer,
Hoxsey had been the star performer
at the big meet that began last Satur'
day. Day after day he took out his
machine and assembled. There had not
| been a day when he had not gone be-
yond the range Of human vision, disap'
| pearing behind fieecy clouds or swing
ing in ever widening circles until ht
crossed the mountains or hung over the
sea. His prolonged absence from the
| field day after day gave rise 20 the
salutation of one friend to another or
the grounfs: Has anybody here seer
IIoxsey?'
No one felt fear for him, however. a.
he always came back. returning toward
earth in spectacular and terrifying
series of spiral dips, landing directly II
front Of the grandstsnd He was th'
favorite Of the crowds and was always
greeted with APPLAUSE when he came
out. aud with o wa, OF his hand starte,
on his altitude trials.
On Monday last Hoxsey broke th'
worlds altitude record, ascending 10 4
height Of l1,474 feet, almost 1000 fee
greater than the previous record Th''
feat was his supreme effort and whei
he returned TO the field, after nearl3
three hours absence, he was carried
ibefore the grandstand on the shoulder.
OF his admirers.
But Hoxsey was not satisfied with this
record. Ever since Monday he haC
ascended daily for another try for alti'
tlde on Tuesday he made $500 feet;
Wednesday, $500 feet: Thursday, 1905
feet when he crossed 4,70o feet above
the summit OF Mount Wilson, some
TWENTY-FIVE miles from aviation field and
yesterday, 1Q,575.
! Hoxsey's barograph instruments were
absolutely uninjur1d. They were run
ming as if nothing had happened wher
II ,uGses took charge Of them. Th'
charts showed that HoXsey fell a dis
tance of SOS feet. He had been Up ia,
feet, and had begun the fatal glide whil'
at an altitude Of 6,67S feet.
Hubert Lathsn,'s Story,
Hubert Latham, the French aviator
said he was watching Hoxsey when h
entered the vortex Of the counter cur
trent that caused his fall