The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-05-30
Wilbur Wright, Formerly of
This City, Dies at His
Home at Dayton, o., from
Typhoid Fever.
HE FOUGHT GRIMLY
THE DREAD DISEASE
Wonderful Vitality Shown
by the Inventor Was a
Marvel to Physicians
Orville Is Overcome.
fNationaI News Association)


DAYTON, O., May 30.-Wilbur
died here at $3.50 a. m. The man, who
with his brother Orville invented and
perfected the first successful heavier
than-air flying machine, succumbed to
typhoid fever after a battle for life
which lasted for weeks. The end came
after one of the most remarkable
struggles against disease that physi-
clans have ever known. For more than
36 hours Wright's temperature had
stood between 104 and 105 degrees.
His pulse averaged 140, while his res
piration was between 40 and So At
midnight Wright began to sink rapidly
His pulse grew weaker and he failed
to respond to stimulants.
At Wright's bedside were his father,
Bishop Milton Wright, his sister, Kath-
crime, his brother and co-worker and
inventor Orville, and Lorin and Reuch-
lin Wright, younger brothers. DR.. Con-
king was in attendance when the end
came.
Wilbur Wright's illness began lit
tie more than three weeks ago. He
grew rapidly worse and his condition
, became critical within week after he
had been attacked by the malady.
Wright rallied after his first sinking
spell and his wonderful vitality made
the physicians hope that he might re
cover. He aroused himself sufficiently
to say that he would get well, and then
grimiy battled asainsr de.s-:., i i..s,s.a.-
desperately against the disease. A Sec
ond sinking spell occurred and three
days ago DR.. Conkling announced that
there was no hope.
Wright sank into a state of coma
yesterday Then he rallied slightly and
though his fever was very high there
seemed a slight chance for recovery.
for the worse about midnight He sank
into unconsciousness and it was seen
that the end was not far Off. The fam
lily was summoned and all were in the
room when the aviator passed away.
Orville Wright was overcome. His
sister Katherine, who helped the
brothers when they were working with
their invention, and who shared their
triumphal trip and home coming after
the success of their machine, though
overcome herself strove to comfort
Orville. No arrangements have been
made for the funeral.
A complication of kidney trouble Is
supposed to have been the cause for
the first sinking spell after it was be-
aieved the fever had been broken
Wilbur Wright was born at Millville,
Ind, April 16, 1867 and when a youth
came with his parents to Richmond.
where he attended the local high
school with his brother Orville. While
the boys lived in this city they be-
came interested in mechanics and
rarely played with their school mates,
preferring to make and fly kites or
to build machines of various kinds.
After a residence here of little over
two years, Bishop Wright moved his
family to Dayton, o., which has been
the home of the Wrights ever since.
Wilbur and Orville Wright were the
first aviators to successfully demon
Etrate the practicability of heavier
than air machines. After experiment.
ing with their machines at Dayton,
to the amusement of their fellow
townsmen the Wrights went to Kitty
Hawk, N. c., and there perfected their
anvention. Then they went to France
and there met with series of
Hriumphs. ;.