The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1913-09-10
WAS CLIMAX OF ONE OF MOST
SENSATIONAL FLIGHTS
SEEN HERE.
Dips and GAides Were HaIr-RaisIna
6alioonists Also Thrill Crowds
by Parachute Drops.

bringing with IL many new sensa-
lions in the history OF aviation IN
wheeling, yesterday was a day of
thrills for the thousands of visitors in
attendance At the State Fair. Without
a doubt the most sensational aeropIane
hight demonstrated in this section or
the country was made yesterday amer
noon by Avistor Charles Niles when
he dipped under both bridges crosr-
Ing TO the Island from this city, skim
ming over the water a few inches
above its surface. The exhibition in
aeronautics by Prof. Hutchinson's
corps OF aeronauts also proved to be
something new in that line, and both
brought shouts and cheers from the
thousands or spectators crowded on
the grounds.
The weather conditions were ideal
for flying yesterday. little trouble be-
ing experienced from air-pockets.
Shortly after o'clock Avitor Niles
who IS giving exhibitions IN his Cur
lis bi-plane. left the ground for his
night OF the afternoon. the second OF
his weeks engagement. II was during
/. this exhibition that he sprang the sen.
sation which so frightened the specta-
tors.
After being in the air 4 few minutes
the daring bird-man, who was then
flying close to the ground, following
the channel OF the river northwarri,
dipped his plane to an even lower aIti-
tude Whom near the lower point OF
the Island his machine dropped out
o. sight from those witnessing the ex-
hibition behind the trees which Dor
der the Fair grounds, and many
thought that II had fnllen into the
river Instead, IL was swoopfng up
the stream. 1t dipped slightly In. order
10 clear the steel bridge. and a short
distance farther lowered still lower
over tho water In order TO clear the
suspension bridge.
II was tie third time I'm the science
or locomOtion through the air that he
seemingly impossible feat has been
accomplished. and was the first time
in the history OF the game in this
section OF the country Heretofore
II has seldom been attempted by dare
devil birdmen
During this flight Niles remained in
III" air more than fifteen minutes aud
reached an altitude or between 600
feet and 5000 feet. When he landed
be was given quite an ovation.
sensational Drops.
More thrills and sensations were IN
store for the fair visitors. At 4:I5
o'clock the large balloon. the largest
hot air balloon made. assembled into
the air. with two aerouauts, George
r Sewen ana Howard lie Van. swing
ing from ropes.
When at an altitude OF about 1000
feet lie Van CIT loose from the bal
loon ard made five parachute drops,
landing in the river a few feet from
tho Ohio shore He was picked IN
by 4 men IN a row boat and was
none the worse for his experience.
Sewen waited until the balloon
reached an altitude Of about 1000
foot before emitting loose He made
seven parachute drop. cutting loose
from one after another in a very sen
sational manner. He landed or what
IS known rs Whissey run in Belmont
county. o.. about three miles distant
from the starting point
Tho balloon vas just about 70 leave
The ground when Aviator Niles made
HE second flight % tho afternoon
This time h" reached an altitude Of
nearly 5000 feet. hut fcr several
m.td'es sailed over the fair grounds
apparcr'lv flirting w''h death. a. IT
times his mach-S cleared the tree
toys and buildings by a mar4in %
only few f"r' Hn was in the air
tw"rty four minutes during The ssc-
ord exhibition
Exhibitions ~ ~ given each az.
tcraoon by both Aviator NiIrs and
Professor Ilu,chinson's aeronauts.