Chicago, November 19, 1904
I returned last night from a prolonged absence starting my Paris plant.
I send you herewith the Moedebeck Pocket Book, and I also enclose a French clipping which lays down the rules for the $10,000 prize for a power flying machine. This prize you can win if you choose to go to France to do so.
Mr. Avery sprained his ankle and withdrew from the contest for the gliding machine prize at St. Louis. His towline (hemp) had been used without his knowledge by some of the kite fliers and had been frayed in three places by rubbing over the roofs of the buildings. He did not examine it, notwithstanding my repeated injunctions, and when he had risen some 40 feet the line parted. He came down hurriedly and landed on the asphalt walk so that his ankle twisted and was sprained. He is getting over it, but greatly regrets not winning the prize, which he says would have been as easy as picking the money on the street.