The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-31

IL was a worlds record. but came near
forgetting to mention 1t at all.
Later In the same morning he got
! into the machine alone and went up
for little amusement. lie banked
the machine almost on end. made II
length. and. swoopinG down from a
height of $50 feet. would "straighten
out" within yard OF the ground and
| ny for quarter OF mile with the
skids OF the machine brushing the
grass tops. 1t was remarkable eS-
$50 unusual to see Wilbur perform at
all.
wns n Severe Teacher.
He was n severe teacher he made
nearly all his training Nights between
twenty-five and thirty-nve feet high.
and after he had relinquished the To-
vers to his pupil would take them
back again II the novice let tho ma
chine vary from this few-foot limit.
He said caustically that man who
could not keep within that limit was
not nj to be trusted to ny.
Little more was seen Of Wilbur
Wright In Washington after the train
ing flights at College Park. He called
here few times on business at the
| War Department. and was out n good
deal looking after the exhibition bust
ness OF the company. but. aside from
experimenting at the factory in Day
ton. he did practically no flying nm
self
Profound Sorrow Here.
In government circles. especially in
tho signal corps of the army. pro-
found sorrow was expressed at tae
news of the death OF Wilbur Wright
His connection with the government
In the carly days OF aeroplane de-
vclopment was particularly close. 1t
was Wilbur Wright who negotiated
the first contract with the War Depart
ment for an ncroplane. That was in
February. 1905, and it is believed to
have been the Nrst contract OF it's
Kind
Prior TO the issuance of spsclhca-
tions for this first heavier than al r
flying machine Wilbur Wright was .
frequent visitor to the army signal
corps headquarters. During those
visits Brigadier- General James Allen.
chief signal officer of the army, said
to-day. there never was time when
Wilbur Wright showed any lack OF
self-confidencc or exhibited any doubt
OF his ability to do exactly what ne
had undertaken. or made extravasant
claims for his machine.
The nrst military acropianc In the world,
which the Wright brothers Duilt FOR the
United sm,es. was brought TO For, Myer.
Va. In 1903. In 1t Orvi!le Wright, Scptem-
Der 9. 1905. maintained conDnuous flight
OF hour. and tho same day carried a
passenger on q short Hight. These per-
formances made profound impression and
! coon after Wilbur Wright went to France.
where he made better records In dupli-
cats machine
General Allen to-day paid a high tribute
to Wilbur and Orvi!le Wright ITO them"
he said. "is due the great credit OF hr.t
publicly demonstrating to tho world the
pra ct!cab!lity OF dynamic night. The sue
cess OF the Wright brothers was not duo
to chance or an accidental discovery, but
to their persistence. daring and intelligence
In scientifically working out the different
parts which go TO make up their machine
and practically testing the same In flight"
The Wright brothers received a medal
and thanks from Congress. and also a medal
from the smithsonian Institution for their
achievements.
Helped to Support Family.
Wilbur Wright was born II Henry county,
Ind. Aprl! is. 1867. orviile. the sixth child.
Was born August 10. 1871. Both Wilbur and
| orville attended tho local school. and stood
high In their studies.
Hampered by heart trouble. caused. It is