Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 September 1908 — HIS RIGHT IS DEADLY [ARTICLE]

HIS RIGHT IS DEADLY

Trip of Wright’s Aeroplane at Fort Myer Results in a Fatal Accident. LIEUT. SELFRIDGE IS RILLED 1 Propeller Breaks on the'Third Round / of the Flying Machine Aviators Plunge Down Seventy-Five Feet to Earth— Wright Haa a Thigh and Several Riba Broken. Washington, Sept. 18.— After having drawn the attention of the world to his aeroplane flights at Fort Myer, and having established new world’s records for heavler-tlian-air flying machines. Orville Wright has met with a tragical mishap while making a two-man flight. The neroplanlst was accompanied by Lieutenant Thomas E. Selfridge, of the signal crops of the army. Lien tenant Seifridge was fatally injured and died about three hours later. Wright was seriously injured, but is expected to recover. How the Tragedy Occurred. While the machine was encircling the drill grounds a propeller blade snapped off, and bitting some other part of the Intricate mechanism cans ed it to overturn in the air and fall to the ground, enveloping the two occupants in the debris Soldiers and spectators ran across the field to where the aeroplane had fallen and assisted in lifting Wright and Lieutenant Seifridge from under the tangled mass of machinery, rods, wires and shreds of muslin. Wright was conscious and said: “Oh, hurry and lift the motor.” Lieutenant Seifridge was unconscious and had apparently struck the ground with great force Ilis head was covered with blood and he was choking when the soldiers extricated him from under the machine. Lieutenant’s Skull Fractured. Dr. Watters, a New York physician, was one of tiie first to reach the spot, and rendered first aid to the injured men. When their wounds had been bandaged. Wright and Lieutenant Sel fridge were taken to the Fort Myer hospital. It was feared that Wright was suffering from internal injuries. He had lapsed into a state of semieouseiousness by the time he reached the hospital, while Lieutenant Selfrfdge did not regain consciousness at all. He was suffering from a fracture at the base of the skull. Wright Has Broken Bones After a hurried surgical examination It was announced that Wright was not dangerously injured. He is suffering from a fracture of his left thigh, ana several ribs on the right side are fractured. Both men received deep cuts about the head. Wright regained consciousness at the hospital and dictated a cablegram to his brother at I.e Mans, France, and requested that the same message to sent to his sister and father at Dayton, 0., assuring them that he was all right.