The Alaska daily empire., 1920-08-16
DARING FLYERS SKIM H0USE:T''0PS ' DROP MESSAGES
Bells Herald Appearance of
 Leading Plane, Populace Out En Masse
2 HOURS FROM WRANCEL
Aviators Hop-Off at l2:3O; First Plane Sighted Here
 at 2: 30

Lieut. Ross Fitzpatrick, piloting plane No. in the New York to- Nome pathfinding flight flew low over Ju- neau at 2:32 this afternoon in the first aeroplane ever to make flight in this part of Alaska. He was fol lowed one hour later by two other machines. The fourth machine had not put in an appearance shortly before 4 o'clock.
 Drops Package
 The first plane was sighted from Thane shortly before 2:30 and the news sent here by telephone. As pre-arranged general fire alarm was sounded and within three or four minutes after the plane was first sighted it was wingflg It's way across the waterfront, alniost direct ly over Front Street. swinging across to and beyond Main street, crossing east of the Court House building and speeding directly up the chan nel.
 When it avs first observed, Mrs. w. T. Tolch of Thane, the plane was at considerable height, but dropped down to level of approx- mately 200 feet at Thane, holding there up the Channel and across this town. Just over Front Street gaily decorated package was re- leased from the plane which dropped on the roof of the Brunswick and was picked up by Dave Housel. MT Housel handed it to Theo. Heyder, driving a Peerless Bakery automobile. Miss Helen Troy of the Empire Staff who was on the scene, noticing that it was addressed to Gov. Thomas Riggs, conveyed it to Mrs. Riggs. It is directed from the New York Times and will remain at the Governors house unopened until the arrival of the Governor in a few days.
 Many People Out
 Despite the shortness of the notice many persons were in vantage points to witness the first aeroplane flight up Gastineau Channel. Numbers watched the flight from the top of the Goldstein Building. a number from Court House Hill and other points around the town.
 Plane No. 4 consumed only two and. one hslf minutes in making from the end of Admiralty Island, where it was first sighted. to Ju- neau. it taxing boats between two and two and half hours to make the same distance.
 The planes following the first to arrive followed the same course as their leader, coming directly up Gas tineau Channel and heading almost due west from Juneau Both were at height estimated at from 5000 to $500 feet.
 Change Plans
 Juneau had not been included in the line of flight as originally plan ned The change was made at the request of Mayor R. F.. Robertson, who wired Capt Street. commander of the expedition. asking flight over Juneau. His request was granted by Capt. Street. and it was planned to pass over the city yes terday. Fog at Wrangell yesterday forced an abandonment and a wire was received this morning saying that they would be here at l0:l5 this morning. When they had not arrived at noon. however. it was generally believed that the flight had again been postponed. Shortly after noon flash was received over the cable that three planes had talk en the hopoff. The next stop sched uled is at Whitehorse. which it Is planned to make this evening.
 Leave Wrangell at Noon
 WRANGELL. Aug. 1G.-Three. of the planes took off from here be-