Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-06-26
Gen. Selden Connor Chosen
Senior Vice Commander.
Some Dissatisfaction Among
the Illinois Delegation.
PORTLAND, June 25.


Several thousand of the veterns in the en-
campment on the Eastern Promenade
marched in various sized groups early this
morning to the steamboat wharves where
they embarked for sail down the harbor.
Others took trains for Old Orchard, while
others still have gone to the White Mountains.
The weather, as has been the case every day
during the encampment, is glorious. Not a
cloud can be seen, and while the day is hot
ter than any of the others of the present
week, there is a strong breeze blowing from
the ocean. 1t is comfortable and better
day for the numerous excursions to which
the veterans are being treated, could not
have been wished for. The streets are still
crowded with citizens and visitors, and the
city has lost none of its holiday and festive
appearance. A few of the posts left for
home this morning, but not in sufficient num-
bers to make this noticeable from the many
thousands of veterans still here.
The idea that the city of Portland had en-
rolled a vast number of extra police as a pro-
lection to the citizens from the Grand Army,
is disclaimed by the authorities. The extra
police. they say, were intended as a safe
guard against pickpockets aud burglars, who
it was thought would be drawn here by the
opportunities presented for theft owing to
the presence of so many visitors. Then it
was thought that extra police would be re-
quired to enforce the liquor law, but if such
an idea was entertained it was promptly
abandoned. Not seizure of liquor has been
made this week, as against an average of 20
seizures weekly prior to the present time.
There is considerable talk as to who will
be the successor of Commander-in. Chief
Kounfz. A good deal of canvassing is 60
ing on. 1t is not thought likely that ballot
will be reached before tomorrow. The only
candidates are Major John w. Burst, of
Chicago, Hon. Samuel S. Burdette of Wash
ington, D. c.. and John A. Reynolds of
Washington, d. C. The selection of the
commander-in-chief will probably mark the
actual termination of the present encamp-
ment
Just before one o'clock the wind having
changed to southerly direction Prof. Geo.
Rogers, of Boston, accompanied by Geo.
H Knight, of Boston, completed their ar
rangements for the balloon ascension from
Lincoln Park. Several thousand people had
congregated in the Park in anticipation of
the event, and at about one O'Clock the
aerouaut cried: "Let her Co." to the men
Ill Al Ill
close to the ground. All hands let go and
the mammoth balloon went up and up. some
thousands of feet, and then glided off in the
direction of Bangor.
1t has been ascertained that the balloon
landed at about two o'clock in the field
owned by Charles Russell about a mile and
a half from Yarmouth Junction. Mr.. Rogers
states that he had fine ride and that he is
all packed up ready to come to Portland.
Mr.. Rogers has made 5s ascensions before
this one. Many of them have been near
Boston. He says he has landed in Boston
harbor % times. On one occasion his balloon
burst and he fell with considerable force sew
eral hundred feet, receiving severe injuries.
Prof. Rogers great balloon. the Goddess
of Liberty, which ascended from Lincoln
Park at noon today, descended near North
Yarmouth. The landing was effected with
considerable difficulty an hour after the ascent
was made. The wind changed and carried
the balloon dangerously near the shore. To
avoid going out to sea the aeronaut put out
drag rope and later the grappel. The bal
loon was going very rapidly and when the
anchor hit on tree the tree was dragged
out by the roots. When near enough to the
ground Prof. Rogers, to save himself and his
companion, exploded the balloon. The air
vessel then collapsed, falling quickly to the
ground and tumbled the occupants out of the
basket very heavily Prof. Rogers was
bruised slightly about the lower limbs, but
Mr.. Knight escaped without injury.
At this mornings executive session of the
National Encsmpment resolution was offered
by Comrade Bennett of Illinois, providing
for the suitable recognition of DIR. Benz
Stevenson Is the founder Of the Grand Army
of the Republic, and recommending national