Chicago, April 17, 1904
Some weeks ago I saw in the foreign press dispatches that Mr. Deutsch had offered a prize of $5,000 to the first aviator who would fly by power a closed circuit of 1 kilometer, and that Mr. Archdeacon of Paris had added a like sum thereto.
The Aerophile for March, received today, confirms this news, and states that it is proposed to add various other subscriptions so as to raise a "grand prize of aviation" of $100,000; the details to be ruled upon by the French Aero Club and to be published later.
There is nothing said thus far about confirming the award of the prize to French aviators, although I believe that is what is in the mind of the present subscribers, but it will be well to keep your eye on this prize and to perform the feat before official witnesses so as to obtain affidavits establishing a record.
I will advise you further when I learn more. Do you think it would be wise to write to some of my friends to enquire into the status?
Wilbur Wright to Octave Chanute, April 24, 1904