New Britain herald., 1928-02-02
Only 2 Hsur. and 5 Minute. Elap.e a. Aviator Safely Spans Water Between St. Thomas and Porto Rico.
Mob Greeting Him Great. est in 400 Years of His. tor of American Posses. sion - Deviated From Course.

Course.
 san Juan. Porto Rico. Feb. ! NA Col. Charles A. Lindbergh today made the shortest flight of his great aerial tour. flying from st. Thomas, Virgin Islands, to San Juan, whsro he landed at 1855 this aftsrnooa I2:65 eastern standard time). The flight occupied ! hours and 6 minutes. for he devtated from the direct course to ny over the IsianA of Ct. Crotx. lying some miles south of St. Thomas.
 Lindbergh took on 4rom H Thomas at ll:6o .. m. (lo:So east. ern Standard time) and had favor. able weather for his trip to tAis city.
 Thousands had gathered along the sea front and at Escambron Ayiae field. and at l:%o p. m. the 0pirit of St. Louis, with its famous ptlse aboard. appeared in tho distance.
 Many brought their lunches, thousands of school children wero in the gathering. and the whole city was in holiday mood and attire. Not in the more than 400 years of its existence has San Juan seen such . multitude.
 Before landing. Col. LandberRh played in the air for twenty minutes over the city and then made his descent just i've minutes before the time that he had said he would land.
 Because of Colonel Lindbergh's ar- rival in the Afternoon. some busansss houses kept open until noon; the banks closed at that hour, not te reopen until Saturday.
 Prepared Field
 The flying field has been we'll ore. pared. and last evening the finishing touches were put on tho canvas covered hangar which will house Lindbergh's plane. Soldiers from the 65th infantry have been detailed to act as guards until the departure of the flier. Escambron held is army property. and to the regular soldiers has been given the duty to keep watch over the youthful aviator and his cherished machine.
 100 Cars Parked
 Along the length of the fleld, even at an early hour today. 100 motors were parked. Governor Towner and tho members of the reception com. mittee were among tho early arriv- als. Tho entrance to the held was guarded by companies of the Porte Rican national guard. while station ed in tho main thoroushfare. some distance from the field. were hum dreds of police, detailed from all the cities and towns for special duty.
 Munzo Rivera park nearby coull take care of nearly 1000 cars while 60,00o people found standing room on the high ground overlooking Es. cambron. For days the city has been decorated with hags and banners, while enthusiasm for Colonel Lind bergh's visit increased hourly. Many thousands came in from all over the island to sec the famed airmAn and to join in the welcome.
 st. Thomas. Virgin Islands. Feb. ! 0-Porto Rico. which Ponce As Leon conquered in his search for the fountain of youth, today was the soal of tho youthful adventursr from the wcst-Colonel Charles A. Lindbsrgh.
 Short Hop
 For the Lone Eagle. 1t was . ahort hop-75 miles-from here to San Juan. the Islands capital, half Of which was over the water separating the Lesser Antilles from the Greater Antilles
 Buccaneers and pirates have dis. appeared long since from the waters over which Lindbergh's route lay, but the peoples of these islands still delight to honor the spirit of adven- ture which they have found in Col onel Lindbergh.
 Appeared ListleU
 So strenuous was the round of festivities and greetings with which was remarked that he appeared list less after dinner. A torchlight pro- cession wound through the narrow lanes of the city past white walled houses and tropical gardens as the people paid their final tribute before Lndbergh retired to rest for today's adventure.
 St. Thomas bestowed upon the afr man the freedom of the city. At a1 extraordinary meeting of the colon- ial council the distinction was con- ferred upon Lindbergh and he was formally welcomed to the Virgin Islands.
 Roe n Tribute
 AS the flyer entered the room with Governor Evans, the members fooe in tribute. Lndbergh replied brief ly expressing his thanks and telling the council that he would alWayu remember the welcome givea him by St. Thomas.
 At a special meeting of the Free Masons' lodge in Lindbergh's honer he was presented with . alver Ma sonic trowel with . gold handle.
 Tho chamber of commerce gave him . reception and the cen0al o1 Denmark. which sold tAs is3aol to the United 0tatss in 1917. 1sa1voss6 AA> ~AA~~n ~ ~AaAA>A