Daily Republican., 1881-09-10
An AerOn aut's Terrific Fall.

Inc BoSton Advertiser of yesterday
says: "Ihe balloon ascension at the
Point of Pines was delayed by the slow
process of filling the capacious bag.
Prof. g. A. Rogers, of Maiden, and
another man entered the car, but after
rising some 40 or5O feet it began to de-
scend. AS it neared the ground the
Professors companion jumped out; the
latter threw out sand and the balloon
rose again, barely clearing the new
hall. 1t was 6 40 when Prof Rogers
started on his dangerous trip. He as
cended quickly until he attained u
height of 900 feet. The current took
the balloon in the direction of Nahant.
and asst went over Long Beach the Pro
fessor began preparations for descent.
The grapple was thrown out and the
balloon descended, the basket oscilla-
ting violently az taa grapple caught
from point to point causing the Pro-
tessor to sit braced in the bottom of the
car, with his feet firmly planted against
the side. When at an altitude of 600 or
700 feet the huge bag suddenly began
to rip from the top, the rent rapidly ex-
tending down the side, emitting the Sas
in large volumes.
The speed of the descent was in con-
sequence greatly accelerated, and when
at height of about $50 feet the balloon
emptled of It's gas, shot down like lead,
striking on the edge of the beach
with terrible force. Just previous to
Its fall the grapple caught upon one o.
the posts OF the Telephone Company,
and, winding around it, held ON. This
caused the basket to strike upon its
side. When landed, Mr. Rogers body
was, as 1t were, shut close together,
being jammed against his legs. Mr..
Frank W. Breed was driving upon the
beach at the time. and was quickly at
hand. Prof. Rogers was found to be-
conscious when rea ,hed, though appar-
emily seriously hurt. He was placed
III MIR. Breeds carriage and driven rap
Idly TO the Lynn City Hall, where he
was ihld on str ctcl er and mattress
and made as comfortable as possible.
DR.. Pinkham made an examination,
and coulI lind no evidence of serious
fracture or serious internal injuries.
IN" la * was apparently not material |
~ l"Jdred, ~ the professor moved all
his limos with apparent ease, though
at times he suif ,red intense pain.
He c"nversed tluen,ly and gave "a
clear account of his trip and ;he causes
of the accident. His body was carefully |
swathed by the surgeons, and every
thing possible done to alleviate his |
pain. AL 10 o'clock the Professor was
taken to the depot. and was sent to his
home in Maiden, where he was taken |
III charge by DR.. sullivan. The balloon
was the Oak Hall, and had capacity |
OF "A 0OJ cubic feet. The bag is six or
seven years old, and has been used in
several asCelsiuns by the Professor.
The gas was manuiac ured on the
ground, and ~ process was necessarily
slow. toal tar entered largely into the
on of the gas, which was not
as carefully cleauscd as that used In
the cities The Professor last evening
lscribcd the accident to the age OF the
ailoon, to the effect " hich the weather
hai upo,. it, and to the quality Of the
gas. This was his torty-sixlh ascension
ma the first accident which has eve.
happened to hin. The professor wa,
although sore and bruised,
md ne had an excellent pulse. Unless
unfortunate symntoms develop this
DIR. Pinkham lhiuk. he may
'ecover. " lile there may he SOME
hight fracture in the bone of the back,
I is very evident tina the spinal column
$ not Affected