Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 182, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 August 1913 — IMMENSE CROWD SAW THE AEROPLANE [ARTICLE]

IMMENSE CROWD SAW THE AEROPLANE

Goodland Made Good With Flying Machine and Entertained the Largest Gathering In History.

Half or more of the people of. Rensselaer seem to have been at Goodland Thursday. Likewise- of the surrounding country. Practically every privately owned car and all the garage cars were in use transporting people to &Ur neighboring town to witness the aeroplane flights and the ball game. . Goodland, disappointed on July 4th at not having an aeroplane, which had been so extensively advertised, made good with interest Thursday and largest crowd that ever gathered in that place and one of the largest crowds ever assembled in any small town or city in this part of the great domain was given a splendid exhibition of aeronatics, while a big lot of the crowd also saw a splendid ball game between Goodland and Chattsworth, 111., old rivals.

The aeroplane flights, one in the morning and the other in the late afternoon, were splendid exhibitions and the crowd was delighted. The ascension was made from the baseball park and some estimate the crowd that saw the afternoon flight at 8,000 people. It was also estimated that there were 750 automobiles within the ball park enclosure. The aeronaut had no trouble in either flight. The day was ideal, little air stirring and yet not nearly so warm as the day before. The machine remained up about 15 minutes each time, ascended to a considerable altitude and circled about under perfect control of the driver. It alighted at almost the identical spot from which it ascended.

The ball game was readily won by Goodland, although the contest was very Interesting and the playing snappy and clean. Goodland has been using hired batteries all year, getting a pitcher and catcher from Chicago. This time they procured the services of Clyde Richter, formerly of the Chicago Cubs, later of the Louisville team in the American Association and now said to be playing with a Chicago independent team. The reported cause of his release from the Cubs was an injury that has left him permanently crippled. He was away ahead of any pitcher that has played in this neck of the country for some time and struck out 15 (Chattsworth batters. He also proved to be some batter, and once when the bases were crowded he brought three an with a mighty swat. Later he brought in two more with another smash. He was required to run to first base, which he did with difficulty owing to being crippled. At first another run would be substituted. and thus sonje delay was occasioned. The final score was 11 to 2 in favor of Goodland. The gate receipts are said to have been S6OO. Rensselaer people were all much pleased with the ball game and the aeroplane and one and all report that “Goodland made good” with both feet.