The Republican journal., 1911-09-14

| y
the air veteran. He made a trip around
| the world several months ago. The trip
was arranged by Capt Baldwin, who ac-
companied him as far as Japan.
Tod Shriver, another aviator of circus
tame, made aeroplane flights on this trip.
1t used to be the business of Shriver to
look after the tents. He has been asso-
clated with about every circus worth
While and has travelled all over the
world. He left job as printer on
country newspaper at Manchester, O., to
follow the circus.
Shrlver shuns social func lions. After
ne had made flights in western town it
was proposed to give him banquet, but
ne refused on the ground that he was
only common folk" and was satisfied
| with money. When Glenn H. Curtiss
Went abroad in 1910he was accompanied
by Shriver, who was then his chief
| mechanlcian. He wanted to take Shriver
along as first class passenger, but Shriv-
er said he preferred going the other way.
he has met many celebrities and titled
personages, but he says they all look
alike to him. He is tall, rawboned and
substantial in build.
COLLEGE MEN.
j.. Armstrong Drexel, Augustus Post
and j. A. D. MeCurdy are all college
men. DreXel is the son of Anthony
Drexel of Philadelphia and brother of
Lady Maidstone of London. He is some
times called the Anglo avia-
tor, because he spends most of his time
abroad and was educated in England.
He went to school at Marlborough,
near Aldershot, and later at Elton. where
he rowed in the eight. helping to win the
grand challenge cup at Henley. He is a
skilled mechanician and daredevil au-
tomoblle driver. After he took UP avi-
alton ne specialized on high flying, and
tor time held the world S record for al
tltude He has done little flying since
the Belmont Park meet. 1t is said his
family objects and he has promised never
again TO take part in competitive flights.
Post is one of the foremost amateur
balloonists in the world. He first be-
came interested in eronautics from a
! scientific viewpoint. He later learned to
operate Curtiss biplane and enjoyed
some thrilling experiences. He is noted
for his cool head. Some of his friends
tell the story that when he and COM
panion landed on house in Berlin after
fall of 5000 feet in balloon, which
crashed through the roof. Post offered an
apology to the owners for the inconven-
fence that had been caused.
When making a maiden seroplane
flight at Sheepshead bay he apparently
lost control of the machine. Spectators
stood terrified as the aroplane wabbled
about IN the air and they expected to see
the rider dashed to death. By good luck
Post reached the ground unhurt As he
busted his coat with his handkerchief he
asked to be pardoned for any anxiety
that he had occasioned. 1t is charged
that his analytical mind has prevented
his becoming successful aviator. One
hasn't to solve problems in the air.
McCurdy is young Canadian who with
four others began experimenting with
flying machines in 1908. AS the result
OF an accidental meeting with DR.. Alex
ander Graham Bell he was invited to join
the Aerial Experiment Association, of
which DR.. Bell was the head. Glenn
H. Curtiss, the late Lieut.. Selfriqge and
F. W. Baldwin, another young Canadian,
were other members. The experiments
resulted in building what is known as
the Curtiss type of machine. Before
taking up aviation McCurdy had been in
terested in wireless telegraphy.
ALL AUTOMOBILE DRIVERS.
The late Arch Hoxsey, Eugene Ely,
William Badger, Joe Seymour, Lee Ham
mond and Hugh Robinson We're all auto
mobile drivers. St. Croix tombstone,
Earle L. Ovington, Morok and Ralph
tombstone had been bicycle or motor
cycle riders. Both Ralph tombstone and
Morok had performed daring tricks with
the wheel.
Harry s. Hardness is also an automo-
bile driver and has taken part in cross
country races. Harry N. Atwood was
mechanical engineer, Beachey began as
balloonist. Charles K. Hamilton started
on his career at the age of by jumping
from the roof of the barn, using his
mothers parasol as parachute. When
he heard that Israel Ludlow had con-
structed man-carrying kite he came to
New York and asked to be allowed to fly
it. He made his experiments from River
side drive over the Hudson river. Sub
sequently he operated dirigible balloon.
AL WEIGH, instructor in the Wright
school near New York, unlike most other
blrdmen, was not born with love for
getting off the ground. His most thrill
ling experience was when at the age of
ID he ran away from home with just 26
cents in his pocket. He left his home at
AIWOOu, SOl., anu ldIueu Ill DeHNeI. I16
found lodging for the night for 10 cents
and paid another 10 for cup of coffee
and rolls. The next day he found a job
to drive delivery wagon which paid So
a month, including his board.
1t only took him five days to find one
considered better. This one paid So a
week, but he had to find the board. He
finally became associated with COM
nraSSinp comnanv and loft this tn he.
come flier. He happened to be at Fort
Myer while Orville Wright was testing
out government machine. He took
notion that he would like to fly and was
engaged to show up at Dayton. He was
the second pupil in the original schools.
Welch still thinks it is great business.
Miss Harriet Quimby and Miss Blanche
Scott, the two women aviators, are both
expert automobile drivers. Boston Her
aid
THE 22ND MAINE REUNION.
The annual reunion of the ''Eiph tjnp