Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-09-19
G. P. Rodgers After Good
Start from New York in
Sea-to-Sea Flight, Has
Accident; Uninjured.
WARD RESUMES
HIS TRIP TODAY
After Being Delayed Since
Saturday, Aviator Takes
Flight but is Compelled to
Land After 36 Miles.

M1d0letOWn, N. Y, Sept. 1S.-ln at
.empting to resume his flight to the
Pacific coast this morning G. P Rod
gers crashed into tree and fell with
his aeroplane thirty-ave feet to the
ground. The airman received scalp
wounds, not serious but his machine
was wrecked so badly that he prob
ably will be unable to fly again until
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 physi-
clan 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
that II the engine could be repaired the
other broken parts could be supplied
from duplicates in his special train.
If obliged to send back to New York
fol-. another engine he did not know
how long he might be delayed. In
any event he had no expectation OF
getting away again before tomorrow
morning. s
Rodgers Got Bad start.
fore daylight today intending, if pos
sible to create new distance record
for one days fight. He left the
ground at 6:15.
Although there was little wind he
failed to get good start and nearly
struck the four foot stone wall sur
rounding the pleasure grounds from
where he took of. Then at a height
of twenty feet one Of his planes struck
the limb of willow tree. This threw
him out of his course. and he crashed
full speed into big hickory tree just
beyond.
The branches OF the tree partly
broke tue force of his fall but the
machine came down so hard head-on
that the engine was partly buried on
the soft ground. Rodgers was pulled
out from under his plane still smoking
q cigar he lit just before the start
He was assisted to his special train
which stood waiting nearby with
steam up ready to accompany him on
today's journey over the Erie rail
road.
Rodgers landed here at 6:1S o'clock
yesterday evening after making his |
first days flight from Sheepshead bay,
about eighty miles in one hour and |
fifty-three minutes. Had all gone we'll |!
today hs had hoped by Tuesday to
pass his competitor, James ]. Ward,
who is delayed at Owego, N. Y, by an
accident last Saturday.
Realizing the hopelessness of his |
Rogers said he would return
to New York this afternoon and make
another start in a new machine.
Ward Renews Trip.
Oswego, N. Y, Sept. 1S.- With his
engine working splendidly, James j.
Ward, the young coast to coast flyer,
mace fresh start from here at 1O:42.
Just before gleaving he was informed |
Of Rogers mishap this morning.
That's tough luck,' said Ward. Il
know Just how he feels" The weather
Is ideal for flying and Ward expects
TO reach Brantford, Canada, tonight.
IF ! have any luck won't stop until
[ reach Corning" Ward said as. he
waved the start signal.
Passes over EImira.
Elmira, N. Y, Sept 49, James
Ward, on his coast to coast flight,
lew over Elmira at Is this morn
ng, having left Owego, thirty-six
niles away at 10:45. He did not stop
1ere.
Arrives at Corning.
Corning, N. Y, Sept. 1S.-Ward ar
lived here at 1881 this morning, land
ng in a field. First he circled over
he business section Of the town flying
7ery high. He remained for luncheon.
Wards landing was due to the blow
ng out of an oil feed connection,
which allowed all of his lubricating ]
Ill to escape and badly burned his i
engine. He telephoned to Hammonds- ;
,ort, where the Curtiss factory is To- ,
.ated, and which Is 27 miles north of s
Corning, and the engine in which he ,
made his start from New York will be (
,rought here by automobile. He may !
esume his fight later this afternoon Il
Ward left Owego at 1048, landing here 5
t 1881, uaaks~~ 36 miles in 43 min i
ties. Is