The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1920-03-04
Major r. w. Schroeder Estab-
fishes New High Record
Of 36,020 Feet.
MADE NUMB BY THE COLD.
Streak in Sky Made by Exhaust Mis-
taken for comet-Riohts Plane at
1000 Feet-lnstruments Record
6T Degrees Below Zero.

Dayton, O.-An airplane carrying
Major II. w. Schroeder. chief test
pilot al McCook Field. fell more than
five miles after reaching an altitude
of 5000 feet, about 5000 feet higher
than the previous worlds record. The
major Is in a hospital suffering from
the shock and from temporary partial
blindness.
Instruments on the machine indicate
that ii fell more than five miles in two
minutes. While still 1900 feet above
the ground the airplane righted ITSELF
and glided 10 graceful landing.
When the plane reached the ground
attendants who rushed toward II found
Major Schroeder sitting erect in the
machine, apparently lifeless.
For brief time residents OF Dayton
were sure a comet had appeared In
the sky They lad mistaken the trail
OF vapor escaping from the machine
as It sped downward for a stranger
In the heavens"
The exhaust gas from the airplane,
freezing In the frigid temperature,
caused a cloudlike formation, resem-
bling the tail OF comet, TO hang below
the clouds. Inasmuch as the airplane
was not visible, speculation varied as
to what II was. Some witnesses were
inclined to the belief that strange
body was coming with a message rom
Mars Professor William Beck, as
tronomer at ST. Mary's College, max
ing observations through a telescope,
discerned the airplane.
Gradually the object was enlarged
as II hurtled 10 the earth. When but
a few thousand feet above them those
watching saw that II was an alrpiaae
turning in tall spin. II was AZ this
point that Major Schroeder regained
control Of his plane and headed II to-
ward McCook Field
Here Major Schroeder made a safe
landing and collapsed.
He was blinded and his limbs were
numb, despite his electrically heated
suit. He was suffering from the effects
of a lack Of oxygen. When nearly
seven miles above the earth his oxygen
tanks became exhausted, and II was
this which robbed him OF consciousness
and caused him to fall.
Mechanics and officers at McCook
Field lifted Major Schroeder from the
plane and he was given first aid treat
ment, and later removed to the post
hospital, where II vas said his blind
ness will be only temporary. But II
will be several days before he will be
able TO use his ey"s. according TO DIR.
Howard " Dutrow, an eye specialist
called into consultation.
Between periods of inconsistencies,
Major X. w. Schroeder told the story
of his fight against wind, cold and
lack of oxygen almost seven miles
above the earth. That he had shatter-
ed the worlds altitude record. fallen
more tHAu uEe miles anu HdfTONig
escaped death did not seem important
to him In view of his failure to reach
height of 10000 feet. the goal he
set for himself when he took the air
Relating his battle for life far above
the clouds, Major Schroeder, lying on
cot In the army post hospital, said /:
/ was thinking Of nothing but that
| wanted to attain a height of 10000
feet. when suddenly the oxygen stop
ped flowing. Then, all at once, II
seemed as though terrible explosion
took place within my head. My eyes
hurt and | could not open them.
realized was falling.
| guess / pulled hard on the stick.
for knew must straighten out for
glide. The plane seemed TO ride easy
/ opened my eyes, but could see moth
ing OF the ground. closed my eyes
tightly and again opened them. seeing
that I was over Wilbur Wright Field,
close TO the hangers. couldn't land
there