Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 October 1909 — EYES OPENED BY WRIGHT’S FLIGHT [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

EYES OPENED BY WRIGHT’S FLIGHT

Admiral Seymour Now Believes Plane Has Come to Stay. ACCIDENT FOLLOWS TRIUMPH Hole Ripped In Canvas by the Blowing Loose of Cylinder Head of the Machine’s Engine—Day or Two Required to Make Repairs—Aviator Says Anything Is Likely to Happen In the Air When Asked Whether Similar Mishap Could Have Occurred While Aloft. New York, Oct. 5. —Wilbur Wright’s aeroplane flight from Governors Island to Grant’s tomb and back —an air journey of over thirty-three, minutes—continues to be the talk of New York and, indeed, of all nations./ Naval officers

from many countries saw the Dayton inventor glide to his goal and back almost directly over the decks of their ships at anchor in the Hudson. Admiral Sir Edward Seymour of the British fleet said: “After seeing Mr. Wright's wonderful exhibition I am sure the aeroplane Is here to stay. The thing that Impressed me most was the steadiness of his machine. He made a beautiful turn over the cruiser Drake and sailed all the way with consummate ease.*’ Wright was preparing for a second flight when an accident occurred. Due to excessive explosive pressure, a cylinder head blew loose and shot through the canvas of the upper plane, ripping a large hole. As soon as the damage was ascertained, the aviator ordered the machine wheeled back to its shed. Such repairs as were needed to put this flier into commission again, he said, would occupy several days and he could not stop in New Yorl that length of time. He was asked if the accident could have happened while the machine was up in the air. “Yes," he said. "It could have; anything can happen in the air."

WILBUR WRIGHT FLYING AROUND MISS LIBERTY.