Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-11-26

thickness At all elevations sounds could bo
plsiuy heard and distinguished AZ 800 feet .
sfsamboats whistle was heard as plainly a. though
only block distant
SAILING m A GROOVE
AT 1885 n m. we began 20 rapidly descend, fan.
ing for several minutes the rate OF 500 ieet per
| minute. AZ about 80 p. m. we found ourselves
noating over a small, swift-runnng river, and
| could plainly hear the falls below us The ligh
pines on either side OF the river formed walls hem
ming In the current OF air 50 that sailed up the
middle OF the stream about ten or fifteen feet
above the water. After sailing IN this manner for
| west bank was reached, into which the bliloon
sailed; not more than a half mile from
descended and collapsed the balloon. Fro The
laSt person spoken We found we were forty (sW
m mis- i rom 81 Paul Mimi, and when we descended
AT .:iS p nl, lhaShlagton timcD on the west bank
OF the river, one-half mile inland, concluded that
We were In the State OF Minnesota. and probably
81 or 40 miles north OF St Paul, the Misslssippi
river.
pCkFED IN A CRANBERRY ROC.
| With this supposltion I'm mind we stepned OUT az
the car into about Is inches OF ice-water found we
were In cranberry bog, and had 90 get out. A
few things. together with the instruments. were
taken from the car, and we started 10 reconnoiter
A half hour was lost in this manner, when we con-
cluded to go down the river. En- route a'hedgehog
was III a place Tor future eIner-
gency. Night found us three miles from the bal
loon, near the r1yer-hank, occupying what had
at one time been a stout hog-pen; over one end
placed several decayed locs which did not nre-
vent the rain from falling through In fhis place
the skin.
After considering the situation, Sc.. n WAS re-
solved 10 abandon all property which not
sentlal TO our safety, retrace our steps the next
DAY, OBTAIN ropes with which 10 construct raft n
ne.esssr., ohItn waterproof shelter 10y cutting
out piece OF the balloon CLOTH and To put afaat
on the river something which should attract at
tpnton and convey information "a our situation.
Al daybreak next morning Saturday. before
starting out, the sat hel lining the signal
vice instruments was suspended from the top or a
pole In full sight Of the river; explanatory note
was also left. on our route back TO the balloon
the hedgehog was found and dressed Alter great
deal OF fatigue and loss OF time the balloon was
found. With piece or cloth about ten feet SQUARE
cut from the balloon. the seat of the basket, and
necessary ropes we once more set out. Having
reached the river the basket was put afioat with
sealed bottle attached, which gave the details OF
our situation, nd requested assistance besides
this red handkerchief, tied 10 a stick frmly fas-
tened to the wickerwork served as flag To attract
attention. After the completion of this we conclui-
ed TO camp where we were for the night Here we
broied the hedgehog and placed him aside Tor the
expected emergency.
AMONGST THE WOLVES
With the bowling OF the wolves and the coIA
night air, sleep was out OF the question. AT day.
] break next morning Sunday, after leaving an ex-
planatory note, we started south, tramped all day
| through an overfowed swamp, with water half the
| time up TO our knees Late I'm the afternoon we
arrived at what appeared TO have once been an
extensive logging camp. After hour spent I'm
| prospecting We concluded that we had arrived at
the proper place for building raft Five de-
cayed log cabins, with falling sides and tumbled
In roofs offered us shelter for the night In one
on these we made our fire and managed 10 doze
We began work on the raft. All the logs lying
around were so decayed that they We're useless,
one OF the cabins. which we tore UP and burnt.
instead OF sawed to the proper length.
treasure, fierce battle among the wolves
caused us TO beat hasty retreat TO our cabin.
I'M Inns night your observer had the pleasure OF din
The next morning CTuesdayl found US policing
our raft; an hour and half brought US TO the end
of what appeared 10 be a lake and although the
place had at one time been used 10 float LOGS to
the river we could find no outlet This sad
| disappointment, and we had nothing to do but
| unknot the chords and resume the tramp. This
unkhottng was not so pleasant when the knots
O'Clock We resumed the tramp, going southwest &
and at times making circuits OF three or four
noon we came upon a cranberry bog, from which
We obtained handful of berries after standing an
hour up TO our knees In the water. A little later
tanned handful more. About O'Clock,
p. m We found an old logging road
which we followed, tsince It was in
our course and afforded better walking.) While
walking this road We heard the tinkle or a COW
bell Following the sound we reached the river
!
covered cabin on the opposite side and a boat
with Two men In IL. After halooing for some time
we attracted their attention and were rowed
across the river.
Here we found friends tpaid friends) and plenty
TO eat, and discovered that We Were on the Flam-
bea river, in Chippewa county, Wisconsin, 6
miles from Chippewa Falls, Wis.
The party at whose place we stopped own tho
last house Cor log cabin on the upper Flambea and
nearest TO our place OF descent From descrip-
ton and sketch had made he WAS enabled TO
locate the position of the balloon. Next morning
"wednesday he, with party OF ten men and q
boat, found the balloon, but was unable 10 move
II, and was compelled to return, bringing
back only the valve and signal service
Instruments That night We slept at Same
place as previous night. and next MORN
ing Thursday We hired Bruno yfnette TO take us
to Chippewa Falls, 80 miles by water and IS by
road. At O'Clock Friday morning we arrived at
the Falls. Leaving on the 4:40 pm. train escorted
10y citizens in carriages and band OF music, we
arrived In Chicago Saturday, at O'Clock am, when
your observer took advantage OF a ten days leave
OF absence for recuperation.
Very respectfully.
j. G. HASHAGEN, Private Signal Corps CSA