The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-04
IS KILLED
The Aviator Who First Flew
Across the Continent
Meets Death Near Scene of His
Final Triumph.

Long Beach, Cal, April 4.-Cal-
braith P. Rodgers, the first man to
cross the American continent in an
aeroplane was killed here almost in
stantly Wednesday afternoon when his
Wright biplane in which he had been
soaring over the ocean, fell from a
height of 200 feet into the surf and
buried him in the wreck. His neck
was broken and his body badly mash
ed by the engine of his machine.
Rodgers for a week past had been
making daily flights here and had
taken up with him many passengers,
both men and women. He started
from his usual place and scared out
over the ocean, crossing the pier and
then turned and dipped close to a roll
er coaster in a beach amusement park.
Seeing a flock of gulls diSporting
themselves among the great shoal of
sardines just over the breakers, Rod
gers again turned and dived into them,
scattering the sea fowl in all direc-
tons.
Highly elated with the outcome of
his dive, Rogers, then flew farther out
to sea all the time gradually rising
until he had reached a height of about
200 feet. Making short turn, he
started at full speed for the pier, then
suddenly dipped his planes and his
machine began a frightful descent.
Rodgers was seen by hundreds of per-
sons on the pier to relax his hold on
the levers and then, seemingly reai1z-
ing that he was in danger, he made
strenuous efforts to pull the nose of
his machine into a level position. Fail
ing in this by herculean efforts he
managed to turn his craft further in
shore and an instant later the craft
crashed into the edge of the surf, not
500 feet from the spot where on Dec.
10, last he had finished his ocean to
ocean flight.
Many men rushed to his aid. Ernest
Scott ard James Goodwin, life guards,
were first to reach him.
Rodgers was lifted from the wreck
and hurried to the bath house hos
pital. He died on the way.
Examination showed that Rodgers
neck, jaw bone and back had been
A telegram was sent to the aviator's
widow, who lives in Pasadena, Cal, and
a cablegram to his mother, Mrs. H s.
Schweitzer, who is now in London. The
body was prepared for burial and sent
to Pasadena.
The machine that Rodgers used was
the one with which he won $11 900 in
prizes last July at the Chicago endur-
ance meet. 1t is a total wreck, many
parts having been swept out to sea by
the tide.
Rodgers's cousin Lieutenant John
Rodgers, U. S. N, now is attached to
the aeroplane section of the navy, sta
toned at San Diego
Charles Shaffer, a close friend of
Rodgers and who came here on the
special train that followed the aviator
on his trans-continental trip, witnessed
the accident. Charles Virgins, of Day
ton, Ohio, whom Rodgers brought here
to teach flying, stood on the pier and
saw his friend fall.
In speaking of Rodgers's 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, land were Off
to the northeast. The %vind was strong
but not puffy. Rodgers, feigning he was
tired, lay back. folded his hands behind
his head and stretched out his feet,
seemingly enjoying the scenery. said
to him. You better watch out Cal, the
wind might get you,' but he answered.:
oh, we're all right; S e's ridden the
wind before and she'll ride it~now.'