The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-08-04
UP IN A BALLOON.

UP INA BALLOON.
The First Particulars OF the Expedition from
minneapolis to New York City-Interesting
Letter from Prot. Samuel "A. King, the
W0rld-FamOus AerOnaut-Seventee Hum
dred Miles Whirled Through Space in q
Monster New Air-Ship.
THE LAST SENSATION.
From the Minneapolis Tribune, July 20.
For several years past the darling wish Of
every noted mronaut has been to make the
journey from New York to London in a
balloon. and two years ago and last year
meetings were held in New York city look
ing toward extending help to Prof Lowe to
make the trip. The idea was to utilize the
so-called western trade currents by starting
from New York in September, ard many
scientists declare il possible to reach the
other side in safety through the aid of these
winds. For some reason unknown or for
gotten by the writer, the scheme was aban-
doned. About a year ago, Prof. Wise, with
whom the writer made two unimportant
ascensions, constructed an air. ship in St.
Louis in which he fondly hoped to cross
the broad ocean. He made preliminary
trip from St. Louis, taking with him three
or four prominent citizens of that place,
and from that fated day to the present
time no tidings have been received from
the balloon or the daring grogsuts, net eY,p
o rope or strip Of silk having been fond e
tell the tale. An opinion has been given
that the balloon, which was filed with by
drogen gas is still wandering through space
with its freight OF dead men.
THE MINNEAPOLIS SENSATION.
In casting about for a supreme attraction
for the great Minneapolis fair beginning
Monday, September s, Col. w. S. King
decided upon securing the first ascension
and long voyage of the monster air-ship
which is to cross the ocean, under the
learned direction of Prof. Samuel A. King,
the greatest and most successful @ronaut
now living. The papers eastand west have
been teeming with preliminary articles on
the thrilling voyage, and from mere
The first voyag in the air ship will take
place Wednesday, September z, theballoon
leaving the Minneapolis fair grounds at 4
o'clsck p. M, bound for New York. If the
voyage is made safely Prof. King will
start from New York for London
at the height of the September
trade winds. AS the great enterprise is to
have birth in Minneapolis the Tribune on
July ~ made application, through one of its
city staff, for passage to New York. and on
yesterday the following interesting letter
and grant of the application was received:
LETTER FROM PROF. KING.
PHILADELPHIA, July 17.-CHARLEs
NJ. FAYE, EsQ.-Dear Sir: Your favor of
the 9Th instant came to hand in due season
but l have found it impossible to answer
sooner. Ny whole time is occupied in
preparing for the grand voyage from Min
neapolis in September. am making on
air ship of unusually large proportions,
and new principles are involved in its con-
struction SO that, though have plenty of
help my own attention must be constantly
given to it. You would like to know some
thing Of the ideas which govern me in the
proposed grand continental voyage, and 1
will give them. DR.. Winsaip-the famous
ssSef En- sid Ssih t. wifi hs @
of artificial wings, I am prepared better
than any one else to accomplish the feat, "
and though he never made the attempt to
fly, the strength left no doubt Of the cor
RICHNESS of his assertion.
Now, it is asserted by some that bal.
loon is but a useless toy, fit only for the
amusement of the crowd. I object to this!
Iobject to the notion that because The
aerial globe cannot be governed like rail.
road car OF steamboat and made to carr,
its freight from one given point to another
that, therefore, it should be considered rs
good for nothing. It is true the aerona al
must be content to float upon the cloud
pillows, drifting whithersoever the vino
listeth; but, what Of that? Instead o.
being an objection, it has just this advan.
tage that no other known method can &C.
compiish the same thing. That the balloon
has its own particular province with regard
to scientific research there can be no dOub,
and in this it is most valuable-it cannot
be made to lie regardingthe course of the
wind waiting it ore earth or sea, and it is
the study of these currents of air, high anG
low, that is so all important to meter, logy
All great efforts require preparation.
onstrate the truth of the New York Herald's
theory of ocean storm currents, by CROSSING
in them from America to Europe. I arr
that one, yet feel the need of such expe
rience as I have not yet been able to obtain
avoyage over land which shall partake OF
many features of the ocean voyage itself
count upon the coming one (from Mime.
apolis to New York; to be the most extraor.
binary of air voyaging, and hope thereby
to demonstrate the entire feasibility Of the
other across the Atlantic
Col.W.S. King has promised to enable me
to initiate at immense expense by hydrogen
gas so that with the enormous arostadt ]
shall be able to leave terra frma with the
greatest number of persons and the largest
quantity of ballast that ever assembled into
the air. This, at the start, for after the
first day my company will be reduced to q
minimum; all parties ascending with me
must bear this in mind and accept cordially
such rules as l may find necessary to
adopt.
Col. King has written me recommending
you very highly, So Itahe 1t for granted,
with what you say yourself. that you acill
ascend NTH me. shall be pleased to hear
further from you, and will endeavor to
answer any inquiries you may wish to
make. Yours truly.
SAMUEL A. KING.
SEVENTEEN HUNDRED MILES THROUGH
t98 }F7 AIR.