Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1884-12-06
NEW HEALTH RESORT,
The Latest Proposition OF q Bal
loonatic.
Ingenious Plan Tor HestOriDg Wastes
yitalits-Latsst Device or a Hard
Up-For-Topies Detroit
Journalist.
rDesroit Free Pres2l


Mr.. Henry Coxwen, Of Ene ams
addicted 70 balloonins early in life, and
the habit grew upon him 50 that he has not
been able 10 break away rom it. lie says
it has saved his life. This is how: The aii
OF the upper regions is 50 pure that, when
ever be felt a littie Ill or worried, he
ordered bis man to harness up his balloon
and on he would 60 until he reached
strata that suited him, and there be would
float and breathe in the delicious oxygen
uncontaminated by coal smoke or vile ex.
halatiOns from sewers. For the past
twenty-six years Mr.. COxwell has been
prolonging his life By swinging in his
aerial hammock aua breathing in pure
oxygen. This idea is TO be turned into
practical account by future capitalists. Ii
Is an open secret that the Balloon Health
and Mountain Air Company is about to
begin business in Detroit next summer.
They will commence with onsF three
balloons at first, but it is hoped if the
scheme is patronized as it should be, the
number of balloons viii be increased from
year 20 year. Negotiations are pending for
the lease of machine shop which is now
disused. The engine there is powerful
one, and il viii be required TO haul down the
balloons They Will be OF silk, shellacked
with more than ordinary care so as
TO prevent the wasting of gas. In
stead of having the gas escape AT
every ascension, thus causing great ex-
pense, besides communicating the air, the
balloons viii be hauled down by stout
cables drawn in by the big engine. OF
hO lie cf 4
wha hazy at present, but it S expected
that three balloons will at first be used.
The largest will ascend at nine o'clock in
the morning and will come down at six
p. m. Parties going up may provide them
selves with a lunch, or take u regular
meal in the balloon car, provided by the
Company at the comparatively low rate
of seventy-five cents. There will be COM
munication with the balloon by telephone
that will be connected with the central
office. Balloon calls must be by number
only. The evening papers win be sent up
to the balloon as the different editions ap-
pear by the telephone wire after the man-
ner that boys send messages to kites. Inn
portant letters will be sent up the same
way. The charge for an all-day ride will
DE ten uOuarS, ana tne NUMBER VINO go up
will be limited to fifteen people.
The next balloon will make two trips
day, at a charge of So each ascension. The
morning trip viii be at $3.50 and the after
noon trip at two. The third balloon win
make trips every hour, the charges being
-, with children at half price. The all-day
balloon will roost at a serene altitude con-
siderably higher than the second one,
which in turn will be higher than the third.
Opera glasses will be furnished at a low
rental. This enterprise ought to be sue
cessful, as the railroad trip up Mount
Washington or up the Rigi costs 81, be-
sides the expense of getting there, and the
all l-day balloon is warranted to 90 as high
as either of these mountains. 1t is expect
ed that company will be formed in most
of the principal cities, and if the ascents
are foun-s beneficial to health no doubt
many private balloons will be kept. No
stabling will be required, as the balloon
can float above the highest chinneys,
chained to your back yard. OF course, if
they get so common as to bang each other
in the ribs, or TO seriously interfere with
the city's light, some laws will be required
TO govern their use. At present, however,
there is no legislation in the matter, and
you are free TO havo your balloon in the
sky if you want to.