Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-05-22


had started in the race, which was
headed in the direction of Angouleme.
capital of the department of Charente
The great line of spectators border
ing the flying fielG was being held
rigid by a large force Of soldiery, who,
however. permitted the ministerial
party and some SO other persons of
distinction to walk across the field
to a point where they could get a
better view down the course and see
the airmen as they rose from the
starting point and fly in their direc-
ton.
While the great assemblage chcered
madly, the minist ars saw Pierre YER
dine, who had been picked by many
rs the probable winner of the race.
mount easily from the ground and
head down the asrodrome. But sud-
denly his machine capsiZed and he
fell. bur emerged unhurt from the
del riS. Aviator Train whose Mono
plane caused the disaster. had mean
while taken his position at the start
ing line, levers in hand. with M.
Bournier beside him. Tine breeze had
been steadily fresheping and the
tower telephoned that his gauge
showed a velocity of eight metres a
second or close to 80 miles an hour
Ghe members of the aviation COM
mittee were discussing the adverse
conditions as Train left the ground.
Ascending swiftly, he cireled the great
field. swooped around to the starting
line and then flew down the course
at a f0milean- hour gait. The ma
chine rocked as he did so Ia the gusty
win.
At this moment it was observed by
the commandant of the troops that
tie crowds were breaking the line
formation on one side of the field and
he dispatched a troop of cuirassiers
II get them back in order. The cav
alrymen galloped across the field,
breaking into double lines as they
went
Trains monoplane dived toward the
earth under the impulse of an air
furry and it appeared as though the
2viator were about to collide with the
horsemen. The pilots attention seem
ed nomentarily to have been diverted
from his course and he made a quick
turn to the left toward where the part
cf officials were standing Then ne
lost control of the craft altogether and
| it dashed violently into the ministerial
group.
The impact knocked NJ Berteaux Il
| feet away. where he lay in a pool Of
| blood. badly torn. Under the wreckagt
| of the monoplane lay Premier Monis. hi
| son and M, Deutsch. Train and his pas
/ sengers emerged from the wreck of tn,
| machine unhurt
| scene of frightful confusion followe,
| the accidents. From all parts of tn
| field arose cries of alarm and disma,
and tens of thousands of persons brok
| through the lines and rushed toward tn
scene of the accident. The cavalry, how
ever. by repeated charges managed I
| clear the field and the injured men wer
| given first aid by the field surgeons
| From the first 1t was seen that Mr. Ser
| teaux was badly hurt and that M Mont
| was seriously injured After the minis
| tiers had been cared for the surgeon
| dressed the wounds of those who had re
| ceived minor bruises
| There are various versions as to tn
cause of the accident. but ever one seem
to agree that it occurred with such terri
| BILE swiftness than there was no time 70
| NJ. Berteaux. NJ. Monis and others to es
cape. M. Hersand, a nephew of Forme
| Premier Dupuy whose newspaper tn
Petit Parisen, arranged the race. said
m. Berteaux was just asking me VIII
would be the next starter and / was con
| sulting my program to answer him when
| CHANGING upwards 1 saw the monoplan
| plunging toward us.
Look out / cried, and the next in
slant the wing of the aeroplane Craze,
my side. Looking around | saw the min
| lister of war lying in pool Of blood /
| feet away, his arm severed from hi
| body as though by a surgeons knife. TIL
minister's head was terribly crushed an
blood was flowing from cut in hi
throat.
Premier Monis lay motionless. fac
downward. ] thought him dead NJ
Deutsch. his face CHASTITY pale. was try
ing to rise to his feet"
NJ. Monis. Jr.. said tonight that h
thought he saved his fathers life b,
pushing him violently to the ground tn
moment he saw the machine tearinl
through the air. The ministerial part,
was hidden from the pilots view by
detachment of cuirassiers. In avoiding
these Train crashed down upon the groul
like bolt from the sky.
Immediately after the disaster NJ
Dupuy gave out word that the rae,
be suspended NJ. Leppine issued s
formal order to that effect. saying /
would be impossible to continue. be.
cause a large part of the aviation
field was already covered by vast
crowds. Late this afternoon, however