The Washington times., 1923-06-18
LEAPS OFF
AERO To
DEATH
A. 7. RossignoI's Act at Airing
ton Beach Was to Win Fame.
Had Valuable Invention.

Fame and fortune as an in
ventor lurked "just around the
corner" for Aaron T. Rossignol,
thirty-five years, mechanic of
Clarendon, Va. who leaped to his
death from an airplane at Airing
ton Beach, south end of the High
way bridge yesterday afternoon
while his terror,stricken wife and
six small children mingled among
1000 pleasure seekers who wit
messed the tragedy. This became
known today through Rossignols
sister, Mrs. Douglas Jones, 81
Florida avenue northwest.
Wealth Was In Sight.
Rossignol, 1t is said, had patent
ed a. boring tool and was about to
incorporate a company to market
the invention, being backed finan-
cially. by2Js Page Laughlin, of Lees
burg " The first lot of the tools
are nov said to be in the course
Of Manufacture.
The opinion was expressed by
friends and relatives of the Inflated
mechanic that he yearned to gain a.
reputation as All aerial daredevil
at the Arlington amusement park,
and by this means obtain funds to
popularize his invention
Felix r. Rigau, Porto Rican,
938 New York avenue northwest.
pilot of the plane. was held by Ser
geant Monday, Of the Harbor pre-
cinct, pending the outcome Of q
coroner's inquest to be held this
afternoon.
Body Is Recovered.
Rossignols body was recovered
three hours after his fall by William
teer rescuers, a short distance from
where it was seen to have entered
the water.
Shortly before taking the sixty.
foot plunge, Rossignol had left Is
home in Clarendon with his family
in their automobile for the amuse.
ment park.
Engaging bathing suit, Ross!g-
mol walked to the Arlington horse
show grounds, where airplanes are
kept for hire, and there Rossignol
arranged with Rigau. pilot OF a
plane. to take him up for an exhibit
ton stunt.
1t is said that at first Rigau re-
fused to allow Rossignol TO jump
from his plane. Later, when told
by the man that he had Jumped
many times from airplanes $50 feet
above the water, he consented to
take him up
Falls Into River.
After circling around Boiling Field
a couple of times, the pilot brought
his plane just across from the
amusement park with Rossignol
perched out on one of the wings
within ten feet Of the water. Ros-
signol is said to have shouted to
the aviator to lift his plane, saying
he had plenty Of nerve.
Eye-witnesses say that the plane
then shot up to about sixty feet,
and at that height the body Of Ros-
signol was seen to fall toward the
river. It appeared to be a perfect
dive, but before he had fallen ten
feet he was seen to turn over and
over, and a moment later landed
fiat upon his back In the water.
Funeral arrangements will be
made today following Geographic
communications with two brothers
who live out-oftown and two other
brothers and three sisters who live
in Washington. They are: Miss
Louise B. Rossignol, 81 Florida
avenue northwest; Mrs. Douglas
Jones, 81 Florida avenue north
west; Mrs. w. r, Binnix, 115 E
street southeast: George w. Ros.
signOl, jr.. Of Los Angeles; Frank
q. Bossignol, Of Jacksonville. Fla,
and Charles and Clarence J. both
Of this city.
He Is also survived by his wife,
who was Miss Elizabeth Douglas,
OF Savannah. Ca, and the following
children: Ollen. ten years; Evelyn,
eight years; William. six years;
Ollle' rive years; Douglas. four
years and John. six months.