The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-05
NORTH SIDE NEWS
Air Ship Man Writes to 0. j.
Billups.
Inventor Proposes to Locate
Factory in Topeka.
WHAT INDUCEM ENTS?
Says Kansas City Considers His
Offer.
But Desires Location Further
in Middle West.
WHAT INDUCEMENTS?

O 7 Billups. a North Topeka bicycle
repair man, has received letter from
H. J. Smith, now in st. Louis, STATING
that he might possibly locate an ar
shin factory in Topeka if sufficient in
ducements wera made Mr.. Smith mas
built a rnono-plane with which ne ana
Mr.. Billups have made several nlgnts
in Dakota and Michigan last fall me
aviator says that Kansas City is ask
ing for the location of his proposed
factory However, he states he might
be induced to locate in Topeka as ne
wishes to get further west on account
of the proximity for open country al
fording better places for flights
Mr.. Billups became acquainted with
the air-Ship men when he Travelled
through Dakota for an automobile
company. Smith was professional
engine builder With the aid of Mr.
Billups he designed a mono-plane- In
July the latter Joined the aero pianist
at his home Lacotah, N. D., and gave
series of exhibitions through Da-
kota and Michigan
At the present Smith is giving ex-
hibitions at St Louis He writes to
Mr. Billups asking him to take up the
air-ship proposition with the Topeka
business men. Tt seems that he wants
an available supply of natural gas for
his proposed factory.
Mr., Billups is of the opinion that II
the shipping facilities of Topeka would
be presented to him properly he would
seriously consider this city. He also
says that this proposition might inter-
est the Civic club, although he has not
yet sounded any of the business men
on either side of the river. He de-
scribes Smith as a thorough business
man and skilled mechanic.
The idea would be to put aeroplanes
out on the road and to manufacture
them here. His original machine is
about 80 feet long from rear elevator
| to thu propeller and the wings have a
28~foot spread. with a width of six and
| a half feet. It weighs $40 pounds, ready
for flight which means that the weight
| of the engine is included. The motor
| is 5000 horsepower. The aviator sits
in a sort of boat-lil1e covered frame.
Mr.. Billups says he has been off of the
ground in the machine and has photos
showing it in flight.
IT believe it would be a good thing
| for Topeka" said Mr.. Billups this
! afternoon. 1.-THE plant at the beginning
would employ a number of men and
the fact that air-ships were being
good advertisement for the city. Mr..
Smith has organized a company which
is called the Smith Air-Car company.
| He is a thorough business man and
| skilled mechanic"
In a trif1ing blaze near Gordon and
North Monroe streets about 5 o'clock
Thursday afternoon, three f1rem en-
from Station No. L were seriously IN
jured. All will recover. The men
were driving to the fire on a hose
wagon. Tt overturned when it skid
ded while turning the corner at Cor
don and North Monroe streets. The
men were thrown out. George Clark
was badly bruised. VIII Cawker fell
on his shoulder and the fall tore the
ligaments in his shoulder. He was
taken to St. Francis hospital. He will
be disabled for some time. George
Alden sustained a wrenched back and
severe bruises. He was taken to his
home. Clark was able to remain on
duty
A six-year- old North side girl at one
time had decided to be a missionary.
However. now she says that she will
finish school and then wait for some
man to come along and marry her.
But she qualities her statement by
adding that he must be as nice as her
papa.