New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1879-03-26
Polar Ballo0ning.

1T IS generally known that II Con-
gress, when it meets, makes an apprO-
priation for the Howgate Polar Expe.
dition, there will be another attempt
made to solve the problem that has So
far baffied the most daring and enthu-
siastic investigators, but it Is not sub
ject of unlimited knowledge how far.
the proposed expedition will depart
from the beaten track of its predeces.
sors, and endeavor to find the long
sought upper end of the earth's axis by
the only means, which it is now almost
universally admitted, appears to have
chance of success. A Press reporter
was yesterday fortunate enough to find
q gentleman at home who is possessed
of considerable information on this in
teresling question, and who was court
eous enough to willingly impart it.
The gentleman is Prof. Samuel King,
the well-known aeronaut of this city.
During the past summer, acting under
suggestions and directions from Capt.
Howgate, Prot. King has been actively
at work making aseries of experiments
on balloons and balloon material with
view to the invention of substance
that would retain hydrogen gas for an
indefinite period. In the prosecution
of this work he made several ascensions
in the interior of this State, and, after
months of arduous labor and research,
his efforts were rewarded. He has dis
covered or invented a material which,
when inflated. will retain the gas three
or four times longer than any now
known. The Importance of this may
be better appreciated from what fol-
lows:
Certainly" said Prof. King, in re-
ply to the request made to the writer.
Il shall be very glad to give the Press
any information on the subject that l
possess. There (handing the reporter
letter. is the last communication l
received from Capt. Howgate.
The letter referred to speaks in the
highest terms of the Captains appre-
citation of the Importance of Prof.
Kings discovery. and in substance
says: ''At such time as this you owe
it to your country, to science and to
yourself to accept the position of
aeronaut to the expedition"
"Will you go?" asked the writer.
Prof. King paused moment while
his eyes lighted up with enthusiasm.
and he replied: "No, [ cannot go-it
is utterly out of the question. The
fact is, l am making preparations for
the voyage to Europe which it is con-
templated to attempt next summer.
You may remember that the Press pub
lished that fact some time ago. Well,
am under contract to the gentlemen
who are interested in that project, and
so it will be impossible for me, much
as should desire to do 50, to accom-
pany the Howgate Expedition. But by
referring to the letter you will see that
Capt. Howgate authorizes me to rec
ommend some one for the position, and
am now looking for the proper man.
The plan proposed by Capt. Howgate
is to take the apparatus which l have
invented along to Lady Franklin Bay,
where the preparations for the aerial
voyage will be made. Observations
will be made by captive ascensions,'
and when the favorable moment has
arrived, large balloon will be started
toward the Pole. The design is to cross
over the Pole entirely, and go over, as
it were, into Asia! The material that I
have prepared will retain the gas for q
sufficient length of time for such a trip.
There is the chance for some man to
make his name immortal!'
Prot. King is in earnest. He is
neither a dreamer nor q theorist in
aeronautics. but is known as one OF the
most successful, earnest, honest and
thoroughly practical men in the busi-
ness, and his ascensions from the Gem
tennial Grounds here during the Exhi-
bition will be remembered by most
people in Philadelphia. Philadelphia
Press.
"A miner was riding up on an ele.
vator In . Nevada shaft. One Of his
hands caught in the framework Of tie
side. and he was left dangling 1000
feet from the bottom. His plight
was not discovered until the elevator
reached the surface without him. He
was 50 weak. after bein0 rescued, that
he could not stand 81 S s#
So 1ArHaf,,.vYlr 8 (Oro - 40 ,,or sox,a.