Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-04-04

Long Beach, cal. April 3-Calhraith +.
Rodgers. the first man to cross the Amer
lean continent in an aeropane. was killed
here almost instantly late to-day when
his biplane in which he had been soaring
over the ocean fell from n height of 200
feet and buried him in the wreck His
neck was broken and his body badly
smashed by the engine of his machine.
He lived but a few moments.
Rodgers for week past had been maxi
rg daily flights here and had taken up
with him many passengers, both men and
women.
To-day he started from his usual place
and scared out over the ocean. crossing
the pier and then turned and dipped close
TO a roller coaster in n beach amusement
park.
Seeing flock of gull.s dsporting them
selves among a great shoal of sardines
just over the breakers. Rodgers again
turned and dived down into them, scat
torins the sea fowls in all directions.
Highly elated with the outcome of
his dive. Rodgers then flew farther
out to sea all the time gradually ris-
ing until he had reached height of
about 200 feet.
BEGINS FRIGuTFU1 DESCENT
Making short turn. he started at
fun speed for tho pier. then suddenly
dipped his plane and his machine be-
gan frightful descent Rodgers was
seen by hundreds of persons on the
pier to relax his hold on the levers
and then. seemingly realizing that he
was in danger. he made strenuous Of
forts to pull the nose of his machine
into a level position.
Failing in this he managed to turn
his craft further in shore and an in
slant later the craft crashed into the
edge of the surf. not 500 feet from
the spot where on December 10 last
he had finished his ocean to ocean
flight Many mon rushed to his aid.
Ernest Scott and James Goodwin, life
guards. were first to reach him. They
said Ro1gerss head was hanging over
ono wing of the machine. the heavy
engine was on his back and his feet were
drawn up nearly doubling over his shoul-
ders. Blood was flowing from his mouth.
Rodgers was lifted from the wreck and
hurried to the bath house hospital, io
died on the way.
Examination showed that Rodgers's
neck. jaw bone and back had been
broken. telegram was sent to Mrs,
Rodgers. who lives in Pasadena. Cal.
and a cahlegram to his mother. Mrs.
H.. 5. Schwetzer. who is now in London.
The body was prepared for burial and
sent to Pasadena tonight.
WON $1,000 WITH MACHINE.
The machine that Rodgers used to-day
was the one with which he won sl1n
in prizes last July at the Chicago en-
durance meet. II is a total wreck, many
parts having been swept out to sea by
the tide.
RodgersS cousin, Lieut.. John Rod
gers, L. S. ~, Is attached to the aero
plane section of the navy stationed at
San Diego.
Charles ShafYer close friend OF
Rodgers who came here on the special
train that followed the aviator on his
transcontinental trip. witnessed the
accident. Charles Virgins OF Dayton.
Ohio. whom Rodgers brought here to
teach flying, stood on the pier and
saw his friend fall.
In speaking of Rodgerss care free
spirit while In the air. Mr.. Shaffer
said he had taken many flights with
Rodgers. but the most surprising ex-
ample of recklessness he had ever
seen was Yesterday.
I'VE had risen to a height of about
5000 feet" said Shaffer. "and were or
to the northeast. The wind was
strong but not puffy. Rodgers feign-
ing he was tired, lay back, folded his
hands behind his head and stretched
out his feet. seemingly enjoying the
watch out, Cal, the wind might get
YOU. but he answered: oh. we're all
right. she's ridden the wind before
and she'll ride 1t now"
HE HAD HAD MANY MISHAPS
New York, April a-Members OF tho
Aero Club OF America received the news
OF Calbraith p Rodgers's death tonight
with expressions of profound regret. He
was one of tho most popular members of
the club, and after his epoch making flight
across tho continent he was rendered n
banquet by the Aero club and honored
with a gold medal
Notwithstanding that Rodgers met with
one of the longest successions of accidents
which an aviator ever experienced. his
fellow club members had regarded him az
lucky man. His transcontinental flight
begun at Sheepshead Bay on Sep&smbe
Ii 0u wss marked ON the SECOND day out