Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-09-16
FREDERICK A. GowER.


a few additional particulars concerning the
nls. aeIiai voyage OF this gentleman. will be
70 the readers of the American.
coming from an authoritative source.
Inc same afternoon he made the ascent At
Cherbourg, he descended over a saiI;oy vss'
sci IN the channel, sufficiently near to hold
conversation with the pilot asking him n
take letter to his friends. which he d,onnad
from the balloon. Unfortunately the wind
carried 1t of. beyond reach of the vessel.
ana 1t was lost. That night. there were
MANY large and small crafts in the channel
strengthening his possible chances of being
picked up by an outward bound vessel.
his balloon was constructed bv himself
provided with raft in addition to the car.
ana provisioned for emergencies Ii wa.
found 30 miles off Dieppe the ropes smooth
~ cut-also. pilot balloon wa. found, that
ne had previously despatched Slender az is
the ray OF hope, il is seized by his friend.
until more light-if ever-is given them
AS Mr.. Cover was born in Sedgwirk, Me-.
It may not be out of place to submit a few
facts concerning his unprecedented career
FOR one of his age, as an inventor, scientist,
and philanthrnpist. II was not, a. has been
incorrectly stated, his aspiration to magnify
himself, III hoping to discover means of
warfare that should be accepted BY hostile
nations. Ii was to annthildte war, making
the barbarity too terrible tor civilized nation.
TO indulge in. and ppaceable means would of
necessity be employed
Again and again he stated that if his ex-
periments in aerial torpedoes, war balloons,
etc, proved successful, his own life's sacri-
fice would be freely given, that humanity
might be benefited, that christianity might
hn
millions out of it. from the fac, that he re-
tired from the telephone business satisfied
with a small part of what he might have ac-
cumuated, had he followed 1t up. That
others are making similar experiments upon
Mr.. Gower's theories is evidence that his
work may live and his genius find develop
meot, even if he has persisted.
! An intimate associate writing to the New
Haven Register says of Mr.. Frederic A
Cover: ut has been denied that there are
any self made men in the world, but bis case
certainly comes as near it as any. The death
| of his father when this son was six wears old
left widowed mother and three little BOYS to
struggle with the world, with no resources
but health and endurance. That he was able
in after years to repay all obligations for
even small! favors, with great liberality, was
to him one of the greatest pleasures. The
| uecllDinX wears OF one OF MS earnest teacners
and benefactors are cheered by his generous
benefactions. in return for kindness received
when he was very young"
Az a scientist Mr.. Cover was recognized
in England being member of the Royal In.
stitution of Great Brtsin-an honor con.
ferred upon few Americans-also member OF
several other noted scientific organizations.
The London Times published lengthy no.
| tice of Mr. Cover. from which on extract il
| given below:
"Mr. Frederick A. Cover. lately carried on
a series of experiments, with view to test
ing the adaptability of balloons to war pur'
poses. Mr. Cover who il we'll known to the
scientific world as a joint patentee OF the
famous Cover & Bell telephone, had made
| Hvthe the centre of his operations, and thence
made several accents. His final undertaking
in this conntrv, was successful aerial voy
age across the channel early in June. He
continued his trial trips in France, and on
the l6:h of July made an ascent from Cher
bourg, and since that date, nothing definitely
is known of his whereabouts. and the gravest
| fears are entertained that he is drowned
twas Mr. Covers invariable practice. a,
once to notify, by wire. his safety at either
Cherbourg OF Hythe, and no message has
been received from him.
The experiments being carried on by Mr.
Cover, were within the cognizance of the
government, and have so far proved of a
verv satisfactory character.
| With this endorsement of the English gov
ernment there is no room for question as L
Mr.. Covers standing among the foremost
men OF this age, and to his name, whether
i living or dead, will be accorded n true verdc
of his unseltish greatness, honesty acquirne
more fame in half score of years. than l.
recorded of many oriRinators in lifetime
I-EUsrorth american.