New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-13
FOWLER HALTED BY A FALL
BipIane Crashes Into Trees and
Drops to Ground a Wreck.
AVIATOR BUT SLIGHTLY HURT
Expects to Resume His 0cean-to-
Ocean Flight in Three or
Four Days.

Alta, Cal. Sept i2-Robert G. Fowler.
en- route from San Francisco 70 New YORK.
met with the first mishap Of his pioneer
'cross-country aerial voyage here at 1880
clock this morning when II trying TO
make a landing necessitated by refrac-
tory engine and steering gear his biplane
collided with two trees, hurling il TO the
ground. He was slightly injured. but both
planes OF the craft and It's two propellers
were broken. and Fowler will be delayed
for at least two days before he can resume
his eastward journey.
Before leaving Auburn to-day Fowler had
his first trouble with his engine when
wire OF the magnetic circuit pulled out. The
wire was repaired. but It is believed this
defect caused the later trouble
Leaving Auburn at s:37 o'clock. Fowler
rose to a height OF about four hundred feet
and followed the route OF the Southern
Pacific tracks through the rolling ap-
proaches to the foothiil district. For al
most forty miles he sailed along without
mishap, easily distancing the special tram
and automobiles that had started from Au-
burn ar the same time. AS he came INTO
view in this section. however, II was APP
parent that -omething was wrong Tor
when a half-mile from here his course
suddenly deviated sharply, and without
slackening speed his machine dashed iuil
into the two trees.
At a height of fifty feet from the ground
the right plane OF the craft struck the
branches with a splintering sound, and the
force Of the impact sent the craft careen-
ing against the other tree. This second
collision crushed the left plane. and with
both wings crumpled IL pitched to earth
The biplane struck with its propellers
pointing downward. thus splintering both
propellers and the rudder. Fowler was
hurled against the motor and through th'
debris of the rudder to the ground.
Spectators who had witnessed the ran
rushed 10 his aid. and his injuries were
quickly looked after. His mechanicians
were soon on the scene having arrived on
tho special train that Is following MS
course. Some OF the broken pieces OF the
aeroplane we're replaced with substitutes
carried on the train. but others had 10 Dc
sent to Reno for repairs
In explaining his mishap Fowler said
his steerinc gear had suddenly become
blocked when he was few miles from the
scene Of the accident and ne was helpless
/ 70 direct HIS fOul - ~ '4lT '-''' 1867
! oIevatinz plane refused 70 work and his
efforts 70 control the hiplsne disconnected
the defective magnetic wire that had given
! trouble earlier IN the morning.
! Fowler declared that he would continue
his tourney within three DAYS. His injuries
| consist only Of bruises and are not or a
serious nature.
From Auburn n The highest point over
which Fowler was 70 have passed Is only
s,rtv-eish+ miles. and Fowler was com
,e,,ad n climb skyward almost from the
| time his machine left the ground.
James J Ward the Young aviator ~
/ Chicago. expects ~ start In his Curtiss
. eroplane In an attempt 10 make an ocean
70 ocean flight from Governor Island this
morning n. put the finishing touches 70
! m. machine last night It was his inten-
| ,ion to fv around Governors Island about
sundovn. but the high winds prevented
! Ward will 20 70 the island between and
/ o'clock this morning and fy away Just
as soon thereafter as possible. He expects
/ m reach Middletown. y. Y, without max
/ ing any intermediate landing. and VIII. no
saws Az over the Erie Railroad tracks II
/ Buffalo
I He is under the management OF Ike
/ Bloom. who is a friend ~ 'BathnouSe
/ John" or Chicago. and who conducts
saloon and dance hall in the Western CITY
/ Mr.. Bloom will catch the first train thal
leaves town after Ward departs ana en-
deavor 10 be not too far behind when inc
committees Of the various places that warn
/ IS under contract 70 fly over count out tn'
money that Mr.. Bloom has told them 10
have ready in neat packages. At the las'
minute Mr.. Bloom decided not to go to the
n.nse Of a snecial train.