Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 September 1908 — WENT DELIGHTTED TO DEATH [ARTICLE]

WENT DELIGHTTED TO DEATH

Dead Mac Glad of mi Opportunity u> Hide with Wright There were 2,000 people present in thegroundswhen theaceidentoccurred As lie was about to start Wright turned to Seifridge and said: “You might as well get in. We’ll start in a couple of minutes.” The Lieutenant was delighted at the opportunity, and readily complied, and the machine started and attained a height of about forty feet on tiie first round, reach Ing seventy-five feet on the ground, which was maintained. While the machine was turning at the southern end of the field, .several thousand feet from the spectators, some one shouted: “What is that? Something fell!” Immediately all eyes were on the aeroplane, and it was seen to turn over on its side, and pausing a moment made a complete turn and then came swooping to the earth in a cloud of dust. No effort on the part of the aviator could possibly have averted tiie accident Planes and rud ders were absolutely Incapable of righting the machine when It had turned in that manner. Both of the injured men had severe scalp wounds, and Lieutenant Selfridge’s skull was fraeturend over the left eye. This wound was causing convulsions until the surgeons removed the broken skull from the wound

The cause of the accident was whaiLv Jlfe breaking of a blade of one of the propellers, which put the machine out of balance, an effect which Wright had foreseen, but said that In such case he would stop the motor “and glide to the earth.” But — “The best laid schemes of -mice and men. “Gang aft ngley”— and Wriglit had no time to stop the motor. Wright had an engagement to dine wllh Major Squier. of the signal cor)Ks. and the major was among the first at Ids side after the accident, and Wright said to him: “I guess we won’t take dinner together-tonight. Major.” A grim fact is Hint a few days ago a friend of Wright made application for insurance on Wright’s life, and the eonqumy refused to issue a policy, owing to Wright’s line of work.

Representative leaning Acquitted. Fremont, 0., Sept. 18.—The jury in the case of Representative John F. Lnning, returned a verdict of not guilty. Lanlng had been accused of hank frauds.