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[[newspaper clipping]]
WISEMAN, BIRDMAN, WILL COME SAILING HOME TODAY
Plans Straight Flight from Petaluma to Santa Rosa this Morning as Originally Scheduled

LANDED YESTERDAY IN DENMAN'S FIELD
Public Excited and Whole Town Disappointed by Premature and Unauthorized Announcement of Aviator's Approach Yesterday Afternoon

Fred J. Wiseman, the Santa Rosa aviator, started on his homeward flight yesterday about half past twelve o'clock.  The machine had been moved from the infield of Kenilworth Park, out on to the hard track, and from there a fine start was made within less than 100 feet, the huge contrivance rising easily and shooting out over the fence and across the park like a bird, and heading direct for the county seat.

For a distance of some four miles and a half the trip was successfully negotiated, although after the first mile it was seen that the engine was not working properly, and that trouble was being experienced in making a uniform headway.  When just over the large field to the south of Denman's creamery Wiseman was compelled to bring the machine to the ground,, as further progress was out of the question.  In alighting, the running wheels dug deep into the soft adobe, bringing the big biplane to a sudden stop, and breaking one of the skids.  Wiseman had to coast down, for the engine stopped, and in making a landing he came near colliding with a windmill, but happily this accident was averted.

A short investigation showed that the trouble with the motor had originated in the magneto breaker-block, which becoming gummed had refused to work properly, thus making it possible to get a regular spark.  The difficulty was remedied in a few moments, after which Wiseman struck out across the field toward the county road on foot, leaving the work of repairing the broken skid to the mechanicians, who had been following the flight in an automobile.

A number of people soon arrived on the scene, and after the broken skid had been replaced an attempt was made to remove the machine to an elevated portion of the field where the ground was dryer so that a new start could be made.

Moving the big machine proved a matter of some difficulty.  Everybody took hold and helped, but the ground was so soft that the running wheels sunk into the sticky adobe almost up to the hubs.  The wheels gathered and held the mud and after a few moments resembled huge mudballs.  John Denman told the boys to tear down a portion of his fencing, and the boards were placed end to end beneath the runners, and in this manner the machine was moved onto higher ground.

By this time Wiseman had returned to the scene, and the engine was tuned up and preparations made for resuming the flight.  But meanwhile the wind had been freshening, and by the time the engine was working properly a strong breeze was flowing from the west.  It was finally determined to wait until the wind died down, and everybody went over to the road and sat down beside the fence to take a rest.

About six o'clock it was decided to make no further flights until this morning, and all hands returned to Petaluma, leaving the huge machine in the field.  Later one of the men returned and remained with the machine to see that no one tampered with it during the night.

A Premature Announcement

While all this was going on Santa Rosa was wildly excited.  A premature announcement of Wiseman's approach had been put out by the blowing of whistles and the ringing of bells, and everybody was out of doors and on the qui vive to see the great airship come sailing home.  Hundreds of people sought the roofs, and the streets leading to the south part of town were quickly lined with pedestrians.  Scores of automobiles started out to greet the plucky and daring aviator, who had sworn that he "would never bring the machine back until it flew back."  For a time business was practically suspended.  The schools were dismissed for the afternoon or rather they were not called t order, because the pupils were all out watching for the airship of which they had heard and read so much.

When no flying-machine appeared, most people returned to their duties, although a large number remained out practically all day waiting for the sight that was fated not to materialize.  Many automobilists went all the way to Denman's, and for a distance of several miles below town machines were stationed at various points of vantage during the greater part of the afternoon.  Great inconvenience and an unnecessary disappointment to the public was caused by the giving out of this premature and ill-advised announcement, although the newspaper responsible boasts of it as a great achievement.

Incidents of the Flight

Wiseman's flight as far as Denman's was marked by several interesting incidents.  At one farmhouse a woman ran out and waved her apron at the interprid aviator sailing high in the air just above her head, and he quickly reached down and threw her a copy of that morning's Press Democrat from the bunch tied beside him on the seat.  All along the route Wiseman served Press Democrat subscribers with their morning paper, although of course the most of them had already been served by the regular carriers earlier in the day.  At one place a band of cattle stampeded, but no serious results followed.  A horse took fright and a team started to run away, but the animals were soon brought under control.  During the greater part of the flight, Wiseman maintained an altitude of about 100 feet, although at times he went considerably higher.

School Children Surprised

The machine settled down not far from the Cinnabar district school, at which Miss Helen McMeans of this city is the teacher.  As he rushed by in his automobile, Ben Noonan shouted to the children that the airship was coming and all had a fine view of the flight for a couple of miles.  Miss McMeans took the children over to see it at close range, and they watched with great interest the preparations being made for resuming the flight.  Needless to say, thee was no more school that day, but the pupils had a lesson they could not learn from books.

In addition to a bundle of Press Democrats, Wiseman on his flight yesterday carried letters from George P. McNear to Mayor James R. Edwards and President John P. Overton of the Savings Bank of Santa Rosa, a letter from Postmaster J. E. Olmstead to Postmaster H. L. Tripp of this city, and a package of groceries from Hickey & Vonson to Kopf & Donovan.  Wiseman will again serve Press Democrat subscribers along the route with their papers this morning.

[[inset]]
Aviator Fred Wiseman successfully accomplished four miles and a half of his homeward flight from Petaluma to Santa Rosa yesterday, but was compelled to descend in a plowed field near Denman's creamery on account of his motor failing to work.  He plans to fly back to Petaluma this morning, and then turn and fly direct to Santa Rosa as per the original schedule.

If you hear the whistles blow and the bells ring this morning, or if you hear a succession of bomb explosions, you will know that Wiseman has successful passed Cotati, six miles south of this city, and at that point has signalled The Press Democrat's lookout that he expects to be able to continue the flight on to Santa Rosa.  The engineers in charge of the works at the local factories will co-operate with The Press Democrat today, and endeavor to prevent a repetition of yesterday's disappointment and inconvenience of the public.  No signals will be forthcoming until Wiseman and his machine have reached and passed Cotati, the last station to be passed on the trip coming this way, and the first station below this city going south.  This is The Press Democrat's original plan, but it was not the plan followed yesterday.
[[/inset]]


[[newspaper clipping]]
WISEMAN IS LIEUTENANT IN RESERVES

Fred J. Wiseman, the popular Santa Rosa aviator, has been enrolled as a member of the aeronautic reserve and given the rank of lieutenant.  This action was taken at the San Francisco aviation meet by the professionals after he had made good in his California manufactured machine and was a [[?at]] compliment to the young aviator.  [[?]] Wiseman's many friends know that he would be ready to respond to his country's call at any time it was in need.


[[newspaper clipping]]
Wiseman Flies from Petaluma to Santa Rosa

[[image - photograph of Wiseman and drawing of biplane]]
[[caption]] Fred J. Wiseman]]

SANTA ROSA, February 18. – Fred J. Wiseman of this city made a successful flight today from Petaluma to Santa Rosa.  The flight was made in a biplane of Wiseman's own design, and was the result of a pledge made by the aviator after his unsuccessful attempt to fly at the rose carnival here last year.  At that time Wiseman declared that he would not attempt to fly here gain until he had made a flight from Petaluma to his home town.

Wiseman left Petaluma at an early hour, carrying with him fifty copies of a local morning paper.  He scattered the papers along the course of his flight.  He maintained an average altitude of from 100 to 200 feet and landed without any trouble in a field just south of the city limits.  He was greeted by a large crowd of cheering fellow-townsmen.  On Saturday and Sunday the young aviator will attempt a series of flights at the citrus fair now being held at Cloverdale.


[[newspaper clipping]]
Wiseman's Prizes.

The prizes won by Wiseman at the San Francisco meet totalled $1283.33.  They were:  Half mile, straight, qualifying flight, $250;  two and a half kilometers, circular, qualifying flight, $333.33;  first prize for distance, $250, total distance flown 28.86 kilometers;  first prize for duration, $250, actual time in the air, 49 minutes and 43 seconds;  second prize for speed, $125 (five kilometers in 6 minutes, 2 2-5 seconds);  third prize for altitude, $75 (105 feet.)