The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-19
RODGERS HITS TREE
 AND IS INJURED Accident Occurred When He Rose From the Ground STUCK TO HIS SEAT Ward Stranded at Elmira and Both Atlantic to Pacific Aviat0rs
 Are Companions in
 Misfortune

Middletown, N Y, September I.-ln attempting to resume his flight to the Pacific coast this morning. c. P. Rodgers crashed into tree and fell with his aero plane s5 feet to the ground. The airman received scalp wounds not serious, but his machine, was wrecked so badly that he probably will be unable to fly until tomor- row
 Rodgers stuck to his seat during the plunge, but was thrown out when the machine hit the ground. He was pinned beneath one of the wings, just escaping being crushed to death by the heavy en- zine. At first It was thought he was badly hurt, put after a physician had dressed his wounds he went back to the accident scene and worked with his help- CTS ascerfaining the amount of damage
 After the first inspection he said that if the engine could be repaired the other broken parts could be supplied from dupli- cates in his special train. If obliged 10 send back to New York for another en- zine he did not know how long he might be delayed Tn any. event he had no expectation of getting away again before tomorrow motning.
 The trans-c continental racer rose before daylight today intending if possible to create new distance record for one day flight He left the ground at 6:lb Al though there was little wind he failed to get good start and nearly struck the four foot stone wall surrounding tho pleasure grounds from where he took on' Then at q height of twenty feet one or his planes struck the limb Of a willow rr,,.; ,tt nf his SC and he crashed full speed into big hiek- ory just beyond.
 The branches of the tree partly broke the force of his fall, but the machina came down so hard head-on. that the engine was partly buried in the soft ground.
 Rodgers was pulled from beneath his plane still smoking a cigarette he lit just before the start. He was assisted to his special train, which stood waiting nearby with steam up ready to accom- pany him on today's journey over the Erie railroad.
 Rodgers landed here at CHS o'clock yes- terday evening, making his first day flight from Sheepshead Bay at about S0 miles in 1 hour and 5S minutes. If all vent well today he had hoped by Tues day to pass his competitor James >. Ward. who was delayed at Oswego, N.
  i Rodgers sad that investigation showed that the machine is practically ruined. Rodgers will return to New York this afternoon and make another start In a new aeroplane
 Later Rodgers received telesrams which led him to say that he hoped to be able 10 resume his journey from here on Wednesday with a practically new ma- chine
 
 New York. September 1s.-C. P. Rodgers and J.tJ Ward, aviators who are flying from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast for the William R. Hearst prize of s5o.0Oo are companions in misfortune tonight.
 Rodgers flyer is wrecked at Middle town. where he landed yesterday after an initial flight of 80 miles from the Sheeps- head Bay race track, and Ward Is at Corning. about 2S0 miles from New York. with the engine of his machine so badly burned out that 1t Is useless.
 Rodgers smashed his machine by striking tree while trying to make an early morning start for Middle town Telegrams received here this afternoon were to the effect that he might patch up the machine and be ready for further trial by Wednesday.
 Ward, after flying 56 miles in 4S minutes from Owcgo to Corning. was forced to alight because of the break ing of an oil feed and the burning out of his engine. Mechanics from Hamms- port this evening began installing q new engine with which the young avia- tor hopes to fly onward tomorrow.
 Elniira. N Y., September 1S.--James Ward, on his coast to coast flight, flew over 1slnira at 11:1b this morn ing, having left Owego, SC miles away, at 10:45. He did not stop here.
 Ward arrived here at Il .31 today for luncheon.
 Wn,d's landing at Corning was due to the blowing out of an oil feed con roctiop s~hile he was directly over tfe city, which allowed all of his lubrlcat- ing oil to escape. He may resume his flight later this afternoon. Ward made the 56 miles from Owego to Corning in AZ minutes.
 Ward will not resume his flight un- til tomorrow. His engine was burned out when oil ceased to flow.
 "A Munificent Legacy"
 Lima, O., September 1S.-Under the provisions of the will of Anthony Cupp, wealthy farmer. who died here re- gently, his grandchildren are to receive Ia Al