Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 130, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 June 1911 — Aviation Meet at Purdue University, Lafayette. [ARTICLE]

Aviation Meet at Purdue University, Lafayette.

An unusual event has been added to Purdue University’s Gala Week attractions for this year in the form of an aviation exhibition. Co-operating with the Purdue Alumni Association, the Lafayette Journal has contracted with Glenn H. Curtis for exhibitions of his latest flying machines. Mr. Curtis has seven, aviators in the field—J. A. D. McCurdy, Eugene Ely, Lineqln Beachy, J. J. Ward, Hugh Robinsonf C. C. Witmer and R. C. St. Henry. The aviators sent to Lafayette will be selected from these seven, J. A. D. McCurdy to be one of them. The machines will be shipped direct from the . factory at Hammondsport, N. Y. every part in duplicate, and accompanied by three expert mechanics, assuring perfect results from the biplanes. The Aviator, J. A. D. McCurdy, is one of 4he most .experienced birdmen in the field, being one of Glenn H. Curtis’ first pupils, and himself a designer and experimenter of national reputation. His most noteworthy contribution to the science of aviation was his feat of successfully receiving and sending wireless telegrams while operating his biplane above the clouds. McCurdy’s latest sensation was his daring attempt to fly over the sea from Key West, Florida to Havana, Cuba, flying 96 miles the record for distance above water, and only failing to reach Cuba by ten miles. A break in his engine forced him to light in the sea, from which he was rescued by a U. S. battleship. Lafayette is preparing to entertain one of the largest crowds of many years, when the noted birdmen will soar from Stewart Field oil Tuesday afternoon, June 13th. The stores and business houses are all to close after 3 o’clock to enable everybody to see the first flights of the world famous aviators in Lafayette. Special arrangements are being made by the railroads and interurbans for hand-

ling the visitors. The interurbans will provide extra service, the Monon is to run a special excursion train, starting from Michigan City and returning Tuesday evening, and the Wabash will hold No. 53 westbound, until after the exhibition.