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More Trouble At White City
From New York we shipped the machine to Chicago and assembled the outfit at White City, an amusement park located near the 1893 Chicago World'd Fair. Flying here was difficult as our location was completely surrounded by buildings upon which numerous flag poles had been erected, and in the center of the park was a tower 275 feet in height. When I looked the situation over, I felt that nothing but disaster would result in trying to fly in and out of this enclosure. However we accepted the risks hopeing that at the time of attempting a flight, the weather would permit us to operate. Our engagement was for a period of ten days.
The first two days we mussed making flights because of high winds. I was called many uncomplimentary names. On the third day we had good weather and managed to get off to a good start. As we ascended over the obstructions we made sereveal complete circles around the tower. After this demonstration I came in for a landing when the motor stopped. Landing in a vacant lot, I found the trouble was a piece of waste in the carburetor. Starting the motor again and circling the park, I made the land-ing without further trouble. It looked so easy to those on the ground that I was caused of being afraid and stalling.
The next day the park was crowded with spectators but the wind was blowing too hard to be able to fly successfully. After listening to many arguments why I should take the risk and satisfied the crowd, I decided to make a flight. The machine was taken out of the tent and the motor warmed up. Finally the word was given and we were off. I rose slowly and was directly over a flag pole when the motor stopped. I was very angry