Octave Chanute to Wilbur Wright

Chicago, July 31, 1904

I received yours of 17th just as I was leaving for New York in the search for creosote and I only got back last night.

I have to go to Paris, Ill., tonight to look after the construction of my new tie treating plant. I expect to be back here on the 4th or 5th of August, and to receive a letter from you advising me of your final success.

I do not know how aeronautics are progressing at St. Louis, not having seen Mr. Willard Smith for three weeks. Just before going East, I gave to Mr. Avery a note of introduction in order that he might confer as to a possible exhibition of the "doublesurfaced" machine of 1896 in gliding action, so as to furnish some aeronautical attraction, but I have not learned the result of the interview. As this is Sunday, I probably will not see Avery until my return home.

If you are quite through with the article on Herring in Moedebeck's Ill. Mitteilungen (I think it was the February number), kindly send it back to me to keep my file unbroken.

Wilbur Wright to Octave Chanute, August 8, 1904