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157

When I finally left the Wright Company I persuaded Wilbur and Orville to make a place for her. They did not think they needed her, she would only be an added expense and could be of no possible value. I told them it would be a mistake to let her go as she knew all about the exhibition business and she was thoroughly familiar with the files. If they found it necessary to refer to any of our business she would be able to assist them without delay. The office furniture was moved to the factory and Miss Beck was retained. After Wilbur died she became private secretary to Orville and remained with him until his death.

INDIANAPOLIS SPEEDWAY

The first contract I made was with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a six day meet for the sum of $50,000. The committee was composed of Carl Fisher, Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Allison, all very well known in the automobile industry. I agreed to produce five aeroplanes and five aviators. I was to have all five machines in the air at once, at least one day during the meet.
   
We shipped the machines be freight, one machine to a car, and all equipment arrived in perfect condition. We utilized a building erected for George Bumbaugh to house his balloon and there assembled all five machines.
   
In addition to Wilbur and Orville we had Walter Brookins, Arch Hoxey, Ralph Johnstone, Frank Coffyn and Duval LaChappel as aviators.
   
The first man to make a flight was Walter Brookins who flew for about twenty minutes and then made a landing without trouble. Brookins then asked permission to make the second flight as he wanted to show how near to a perpendicular bank he could come with out losing altitude. After much discussion permission was granted and he commenced his flight. After reaching 1500 feet he made his

Transcription Notes:
reopened for editing: -corrected 'flies' to 'files' -corrected 'LeChappel' to 'LaChappel'