The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-07
THE MISSING BALLOONISTS.

NO PROBABILITY THAT THEY LANDED IN THE
STATE OF ILLINOIS MR.. WISE, JR., THINKS
THEY ARE SAFE.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.
ST. LOUIS, Oct. 6. 1879.
Not q word has been heard from the balloon Path
finder and its occupants. Professor John Wise the
veteran aeroraut and George Burr. receiving teller
of the First National Bank of this city. The Path
finder sailed from Linde Park on the at
ternoon of September 2S. The belief is rap
idly gaining ground that the two aeronauts
sailed as as Lake Michigan and there found
their graves. When last seen they were pointed in
that direction and travelling thiher at rapid
rate. The exploring party which left here last
Saturday evening returned to-day, having heard
nothing other than that the Pathfinder did not land
in the Macoupin bottom
A FRUrTLEss SEARCH.
John WISE Jr., who was the leader of the party,
was met by the HERALD reporter, to whom he
gave his opinion regarding the missing voy-
ayers and of his investigation ON yesterday. Tho
party left there Saturday afternoon. and at eleven
r. Nj. arrived at Girard. ILL.,. the place from whence
they to start on their tour OF investigation.
Mr.. Wise, Jr statcs that whom his party arrived at
Girard Le procured horses and guides familiar
with every OF Macoupin county. The
country about Girard within radius of forty
mills was closely examined but trace whatever
was found OF the object searched for. Mr.. Wise
says that the country through which he passed was
entirely different from that represented to him, and
that instead OF finding dense forests covered with
thick underbrush he only met with what might
once have been forest. but has since
been cleared by cntcrprising tillers of the
soil. There was plentiful lack OF water
throughout the country, and II tho swamps are
formidable US they have been represented during
the past week. they do not ut this time OF the
show any danger. even to be met with by a balloon
list who should accidentally land there. The larger
trees have been felled, levees thrown up.
and what once an interminablo forest
has been converted into farms aud pastures.
SEEN GOING NoRrHEAsr.
The searching party met but man who had
seen the balloon. This individual was u farmer by
the name of Wright, living Girard. On Sunday
evening he tho Pathfinder, at considerable
heip hit going with wonderful speed little east
ward OF north II this be true. the balloon un-
doubtedly passed Springfield, a few miles to the
south. keeping on IN its zigzag course toward the
northeast.
..where do you think your grandfather is ?" in
quired the reporter.
II do not believe he is in the State of Illinois,"
'.Do you think he Is in Michigan y
81 think no is IN the pineries OF that State or
Canada"
CONFIDENT OF THEIR SAFETY.
"Do You think any thing serious has occurred to
the two ?"
IL do not and never have entertained such a
thought. believe the balloon has landed in some
forest and that my grandfather and Burr all safe
and sound and that just soon as they can get
word to they will telegraph their safety. am
sure the balloon was not wrecked anywhere in
Illinois, for the forests and swamps in every county
and northeast here have been closely searched
and they reveal no trace OF my grandfather or his
balloon"
The father and mother of Mr.. Burr are greatly
distressed over the loss of their Mr. Burr Sr,
il President OF First National Bank. and is
OF the wealthicst men in ST. Louis. Numerous
rewards, making in all several hundred dollars. have
been offered to any finding the balloon its
occupants.