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KNABENSHUE #7
He told me that his health would prevent his further participation in the business and he wanted to sell out everything, patents, planets, factory and machinery, with the exception of his records, laboratory and the Kitty Hawk machine. The sale was made through Plinny Williamson,
a lawyer of New York City and an old friend of the family. 
     A syndicate headed by W.B. Thompson of 14 Wall Street N.Y. City made the purchase and merged the Wright Company with the Crane-Simplex Company of New Brunswick N.J.
     I was sent to New York to represent Orville.
     At the time I was negotiating with the Wright Brothers in 1910, I noticed what appeared to be the surface of a plane laying on the floor of the back shop, and Wilbur informed me that it was the old Kitty Hawk machine, it was worthless and they intended on burning it. I pointed out that the machine had historic value and was priceless as such, Wilbur laughed and said they would never do anything with it, that it was in the way, some of the parts were missing, and it would cost more than it was worth to fix it up. I kept after both boys , and enlisted the aid and sympathy of their sister Katherine, the net result was, repairs were made and the machine crated and carefully stored in the back of the shop.
     While in New York, Lested D. Gardner, then publisher of several aviation magazines, called on me and inquired about the Kitty Hawk machine. A few minutes after he left my office I was asked to see Mr. Ned Hager, the new President of the Wright Company and with him was Lester Gardner, I could guess was comming.