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PAN-DANDY FLIGHTS SECOND DAY OF THE FESTIVAL A BIG SUCCESS CONGRATULATIONS FOR POPU- LAR BAKER WHO HAS GIVEN PLEASURE TO READING CHIL- DREN AND ADULTS--NEARLY 20,000 AT CARSONIA TUESDAY AFTERNOON. Reading Eagle Reading, Pennsylvania, August 7, 1912, from Michael J. Floriani, 7-29-05 Thousands of people in Reading saw the exhibition. Everybody was looking toward Mt. Penn and Neversink mountain. At times, Walsh and his machine did not appear much larger than an eagle. Every street corner had its crowd looking and ;pointing to the sky and wondering at what altitude the machine was flying. In the afternoon he made additional flights. It was an ideal day for the purpose. While early this morning the weather was threatening, it did not take long for Old Sol to appear with his flow of sunshine. Mr. Walsh was not in the least dismayed by the atmospheric condition. He stated that the heavier the moisture, the more buoyancy it furnishes the machine. Tuesday's successful flights were heralded throughout the city, and a recorded attendance marked the day. Yesterday the estimated attendance was 20,000. At noon today about 30,000 were at Carsonia. The crowd increased throughout the afternoon. Mr. Walsh makes the journeys in his street attire. He wears a blue serge suit, red bow tie and white collar. He is five feet, 11 inches in height and is 32 years old. His appearance does not indicate that he is a man of daring. Few recognize him as the aviator before he starts his machine. Everybody looks for a birdman attired in a leather uniform, wearing goggles and a hood. This dress is the regulation attire as a protecdtion against the air. |
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This morning he started at 10:59 for his trip to the clouds. He executed a number of pretty movements over the heads of the spectators. His dips, curves and circles were terrific. The nearer he approached to earth, the louder became the roar of the revolving propeller. His eight-cylinder gasoline engine was in fine condition and very steady. After shutting off his power, Mr. Walsh landed gracefully on the ground. He was in the air 38 minutes. The Ringgold Band, under the leaderhsip of Monroe A. Althouse, and the Military Drum Corps furnished music. Mr. Althouse dedicated a special march to Mr. Kolb entitled "Pan Dandy." It made a hit. Arthur A. Fink, in charge of the sports, rendered excellent service. He is very popular with the boys and girls. Mr. Fink used good judgment in running off the events and knows how to keep the crowd active. A number of athletic stunts were pulled off. Percy Warr won the bag race against a field of 16 contestants. He received a knife. Hay Fields won the 100-yard swimming event, in record time. His speed was 1 minute and 22 seconds. The other events were; Girls' race, under three years, Emma Kline, parasol. Girls' race, under eight years, Ruth Miller, parasol. Girls' race, under 11 years, Helen Becker Boy's race under five years, Luther ........ Aviator Walsh had complete control of his machine at all times. He alighted almost in the same spot from which he started. The intrepid airman circled through the air in spectacular form. Several times he swooped down on the crowd. This brought on cheers. At one time, the biplane dwindled away to a mere speck and was lost in the blue. During this stage of the journey he passed over the city and crossed to West Reading. He made several spiral glides on crossing Mt. Penn. His return to the airfield was made with remark........... |
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