Evening star., 1927-12-13
BY FREDERICK r. NEELY.

of st. Louis at z:oS PM, en- route
TO Mexico City.
BY FREDERICK r. NEELY.
Petrifying small throng OF
spectators as the heavily laden
Spirit of ST. Louis run,bled down a
soft field rising slightly in the air
only to fall again. Col Charles A.
Lindbergh after two false starts, on
the third attempt took off from
Boiling Field at 2:26 o'clock this
afternoon for nonstop flight to
Mexico City.
Experienced airmen turned pale as
Col Lindbergh rumbled down the
field with his gasoline load of more
than a ton. For the first 100 feet of
the pilots take-off cries went up,
he'll never get off" as the little
plane. aided by eight strong Army
airmen. pushing on its struts
dragged along. With the engine
wide open. Col Lindbergh stuck to
his task. He picked up little speed.
which made it impossible for those
who were pushing the plane to hold
on any longer.
Gains Speed Slowly.
The tail of the plane had been
backed up to the northernmost point
of the field and 200 feet to the
south Col. Lindbergh had staked sew
eral white flags which were to warn
him that If he could not get off when
these were reached the soggy condi-
tion of Boiling Field probably would
make il impossible.
The Spirit of St. Louis rumbied
aud bounded along the rough field
and finally the tail appeared 10 rise.l
lhorizontaIly. the FIRST 5ndicafiofthat
there was~a chance of getting into
the air. The tail Is up" shouted
the Army pilots. Hell make it
yet"
But as the plane moved nearer to
the white flags IL was evident that
speed Then he passed the white
flags and his wheels raised up from
the ground only 10 bounce down
again. Again they lifted UP and
down they went with the wings wob-
bling. BY this time fear struck the
hearts of the observers who visioned
collapsed wheel and possibly
nose-over with perhaps the deadly
result of fire.
Third Attempt Successful.
Go on Lindy-Go on Indy the
crowd yelled, and then for the third
time the wheels left the ground and
the ship skipped the surface for many
feet. Col. Lindbergh was not far from
the south end of Boiling Field, but he
had turned skillfully toward the river,
and as he gained flying speed while
skimming the grass he managed to
climb steadily and disappear over the
river into the mist.
Col. Lindbergh declined to take a
parachute. preferring to risk all on the
performance of his plane. 1t was ex-
plained by some of the airmen at the
field that his quarters in the cockpit
of the heavily laden machine were so
close that the chances of his getting
out for a leap over the side in case
of an accident. even had he carried
n parachute. would be slim.
The decision of the intrepid trans
atlantic pilot 10 undertake the 1000
mile aerial Journey was reached at 10
o'clock this morning, upon receipt of
REPORTS which indicated unfavorable
weather iE the next few days One
hour later the famous monoplane was
given a final inspection by the young
pilot, and ii was evident that Col
Iindbergh had determined definitely
10 take off for the Mexican capital in
response TO the invitation from Presi-
dent Gales
Lindbergh had been prepared to
leave any time the weather seemed
hV1f ha rfo
time indefinite to keep the crowds
from thronging Boiling Field.
Mai. Harvey $. Burwell. command.
ing officer Of Boiling Field. who per-
sonally had a large share in working
out details for Col. Lindbergh at the
Iatter's request. was the most affected
hy the take-off. When he saw the
Young pilot was in the air and over
the river he breathed a sigh of relief
and shouted to all within range: MY
God, that boys got the stuff. Did you
see how he stuck with it? He kept
the nose down until he knew he had
the proper speed and then every
thing was all right"
Escort Attends Flyer.
As Col. LindbeTgh got into the air
several Army, Navy and Department
of Commerce airplanes took off to
serve as an an escort for the first
s0 or 100 miles of the journey.
photographers plane which ac-
companied Linjbergh for IS miles re-
,urned to the field and reported that
ne Spirit OF st. Louis had reached
an altitude of 1000 feet and was
climbing to pass over the Virginia
hills.
nv his departure today. Col. Lind
t.ereh lived true 10 his characteristics
~ acting first and talking afterward
ghe colonel permitted those close to
MIN 10 inform the public in general
ttat mis- plans for taking off were so
s,,definite that he did not know the
snnroyimate hour of departure.
After spending the night with Maj
x,,rwell at the latter's quarters on
5ol,ing Field. Col. Lindbergh rose this
..,orning and finished his breakfast
shortIy before 10 o'clock.
lieut.. Comdr. Homer c. Wick, com
.anding the Naval Air Station at
nnacostia. who assisted the colonel
- the capacity of a friend. arrived
- Mai. Burwell's cottage as break
lost was over and furnished Col.
= indbergh with the latest Navy
,..aather reports. These appeared 10
y. fair and were supplemented by the
Irmv's reports brought 10 Col. Lind
q