Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-10-11
THE GRAPHIC VoYAcERs.
The Three Men Who Attempt the Great
Balloon Voyage Across the Ocean.


tFrom the Daily Graphic Of Oct 9TH.
The eyes of the world are to-day upon
the three men who bravely take their lives
in their hands in the effort to solve a sci
entifc problem. We give below short
sketch Of the life of each;
Washington II. Donaldson was horn in
Philadelphia. April z. 1910. of Quaker
parentage. Early in life he struck ont
for himself, and in 1857 studied ambro
| typing with his father. In 1860 he was
engaged in a Photographic establishment
in New York, and afterwards learned the
art Of engraving on stone. But his health
failed under the confinement of these
pursuits, and he was Obliged TO seek ont.
door exercise ard business. In 1861 hf
| secured an engagement as a teacher of
gymnastics, and met with great success.
A few years ago he determined to turn
his attention to aeronautics, and accord
ingly made his first ascent at Reading,
Pa, August 80, 1871. Since that time
Mr.. Donaldson has made more than thirty
trips, many Of them of very exciting
character.
In person Mr.. Donaldson is of medium
height. dark complexion, with black hair
and eyes, and possesses a superb physique.
| lie is temperate to fault, abstainng
from all Intoxicating drinks, even to tea
and coffee. He neither smokes nor chews
tobacco. HIS manner carries with it an
impression of earuestness and determlna.
tion. and convinces the listener that he
will not undertake the voyage across the
ocean as an adventure, but solely with
the desire to prove the feasibility of navi-
| eating the air. His declaration that he
will make the present attempt though
certain death should stare him in the
face sufficiently indicates the kind Of
material the man is made of.
Alfred Ford was born at Portsmouth
England, on the 2lst of October, 1887.
His father died when be was quite young
He was educated at private academies in
Portsea. He learned shorthand while 9
boy merely from curiosity, but subse
queutly found it useful, and pursued the
study. His first newspaper effort was
taking a sketch of a lecture, delivered by
Elihu Burrilt, in the Beneficial Society;
Hall, for the HdmDShire Independent. Al
/ the breaking out of the Crimean war, h,
received an appointment in the Hospital
Commissariat, and was stationed as dis
hursing officer at the general hospital a
( Chichester. He subsequently passed al
examination before the Civil Service
| bbhANf AiAN ANNFAhNA Hl0hpAlOus nav AiAl
been transferred to the general hospita
at Plymouth, he quarrelled with the Off
Ger in charge there, and resigned his pesi
tion in the Queens service. In 1859 b,
came to this country, and, after writing
for some of our city papers, he, on tn
breaking out of the war, enlisted in th
United States regulars. AT Fort Hamil
, ton he acted as secretary to Colone
Burke, the commandaut, aud drafted tn
, notifications to Mr.. Seward of the arres
! and incarceration in Fort Lafayette 0
, Senator Gwynn, Mr.. McMssters. an
/ other noted prisoners. Being fnall
I transferred as Second Sergeant TO tn
Twelfth regulars, commanded by Colont
4 Clitz, be went with his regiment to tn
f, field in 1862. He was surrounded twic
4, at the battle of Gaines Mill, and was !
y all the subsequent actions of the ssve
y days fight. He was subsequently in a
!, the battles in which the Fifth Corps pa
b icipated-Second Bull Run, Frederick,
: burg, the actions round Charlottesville
. Wapping Heights, aad so on, up to &c
q tysburg.
- The Regular brigade, after the las
= mentioned action, was sent to New YoI
y to suppress the riots. On their return
=, the field he was appointed chief clerk
~ the Brigade Quartermastpr, Capital
/, Henry A. Ellis, Seventeenth United Stat
is Infantry. He. made up the accounts of Il
n. brigade so much to that officers satisfa
,e ton that, upon being detailed as chi
i. mastering officer in New York City, NJ
a., Ford (whose term of service had expire,
q was appointed his chief clerk. He l
- manned in this position until the fin
a break up Of the office, in 1867. He tn
"a became assistant stenographer IN Il
~ Court of Common Pleas, and received
al strong endorsement for capability fro
IL judge CardOzo. In the year following
~ became a reporter on the New Yo
~ World. Early in 1869 he went upon t
/, Times, and, baving attracted MIR. Ra
he mond's attention by a clever article
"a had written, was made assistant c
i1 'aa editor. On the break up in the Tin
,a caused by Mr.. RaYmond's death, he
~ that journal and went again upon
.si World. He has written various artic
- for magazines and a volume of vers
~ lie was taken upon the Daily Graphic
Ws December last, about four months befi
J Is the paper started, and has always p
an formed his duties to the satisfaction
- his superiors.
ica George Ashton Luut, artist correspoi
ier ent Of the Daily Graphic, is the son
al George Lunt, formerly chief editor g
,o,, proprietor Of the Boston Courier, and v
,esg. born at Newburypor, Mass, at VIII
place and Dummer Academy he v
educated. A descendant of race
sailors, among whom are found some
Paul Jones's command, he evinced fr
re- boy hood a love of the sea, which '
as much strengthened by his intimate C
on. nection with the families OF the Mes,
'ee- Prilchard, riggers Of that city, and
OF almost daily practice in boats of
aid | descriptions. Soon after leaving schC
,ud Mr. Lunt shipped as a foremast hand
ad- Australia lett his vessel at that D,
sat and was engaged for some time in Brit
,er- vessels about New Zealand aud the A
les tralian coast. From thence he wenl
try the East Indies and China, and thence
)py San Francisco, where he entered
eli. Pacific Mail Steamship Compauy's
ent vice, aud speedily became a watch ofli
her Returning East ut the completion of
Pacific Railroad, Mr.. Lunt sailed betw
Canada and England and on return
10 America applied for the position
.ou chief officer of the Herd, from BostOi
Melbourne, but WAS persuaded to le
the sea aud enter the State Engil
10y Corps of the Hoosac Tunnel.
The unfortunate Earl of Aberdeen "
~ AS cnleI Hale oI tue htfd, ana was
~ ~ tt sea. After remaining two years at
'ne Tunnel, Mr.. Lunt left this country
pursue in Europe the study of ART
which he has always been an amat
A few months since, while travelling
and italy, he heard OF The Dailv Gran
! ii gigantic balloon expedition, and imir
net, itely returned to this country for
yes purpose of offering his services as ei
the loatmau, artist, or correspondent.
Mr.. Lunt is tall, muscular, and ac
IN expert oarsman, and an experie
men ''atman, aud Will bo found yalu
{ on assistant.
lthy --~-~~
I'll OF The Lew Court of Kent rountv n