A DEVOTED FAMILY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 486, 28 September 1909, Page 2

A DEVOTED FAMILY.

The presentation of medals struck in honour of their conquest of the air which President Taft has just made to the brothers Wright prompts a thought of the eaily struggles through which these intrepid aeroplanisls passed. At one time it was touch-and-go with them after having made many experiments when money was absolutely necessary for their continuance. But how to obtain it was the problem. The Wrights’ father is a retired minister, who lived then on a farm in lowa. The boys took him into their confidence and explained the exact state of affairs. Unhesitatingly he sold his farm which was his only means of support, and gave the money it brought to his sons for use in their undertakings. Had the machine on which the brothers were then working proved a failure it meant ruin for the aged clergyman and his family. But the boys laid out their funds well, and were enabled to start modelling on a larger and more practicable scale. Even at this juncture the aviators were not clear of difficulties. More money was wanted. This time it was their sister, Miss Katherine Wright, who came to the rescue. Without demur she handed over to her brothers, amid the protests and pitying commiseration of her friends, all the laboriously hoarded money she had earned as a schoolteacher. Of the result the world is tolerably aware.