Wilbur Wright to Octave Chanute

Dayton, April 14, 1904

Your letter of the 9th inst. is received. The Illustrated Aeronautical Record (German), which we have, is the March number. We have not seen the February number to which you refer. Mr. Herring would seem to have a cinch on the St. Louis prize for flying models, if he can substantiate his claims published in the Boston Journal.

I had thought for a while of going after Willey in the United States Court but after the Independent had published a statement saying that he had failed to substantiate the claim he had made to it that the article was authorized by me, I had about concluded to wait till we had occasion to make a further statement regarding our 1903 machine, and then expose him specifically. It is doubtful if he is financially responsible to an extent that would justify us in undertaking a damage suit. We thank you for your kind interest in the matter.

We will probably begin taking our things out to the new building tomorrow.

Octave Chanute to Wilbur Wright, April 15, 1904