Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-07

THE GREAT LEAP.

IN &arf=sZE -
interview with Prof. Comes, the Famou.
MISUNDERSTANDING w. Hammer, the
Youngest Aeronaut in the World. viii
Lakes an Ascent and Leap ON July s.
A reporter OF TIE MINER found Prof
comes at the race track yesterday even
ing, where he was busily engaged in super
intending the preparations Tor his feat to
day at the race course. The celebrat
60 is a yynnng man, about &c
years OF age, rather short of stature, with
a weil-knit frame and a handsome face,
square chin and a pleasant though very de.
termined expression of countenance. He ID
also very intelligent and seems to be b mas.
ter OF his profession. He related to the re.
porter many OF his experiences in making
balloon ~ascensioEs, including many mar.
row escapes, although so far he has never
met with a serious accident. Following il
lessor: Z pro
Reporter: How long nave yoa been in
the business, Professor?
Comes: About ten years in the ascen.
sion business, but only about eighteen
months in the parachute leap business.
r. Are there many others who do this
feat OF jumping from the balloon ON a para
chute?
G. There are now about eight men in the
United States who areconsidered frst-cIass
ana who can be relied upon to make a sue
cess. There is also one lady who is really
good at the business.
R. How many OF these leaps have you
made?
n CO for have ,,oJo ,;aa
leaps from q great height.
X. Do Q experience any difficulty in
initiating your balloon?
q. No, | have a patent method which /
discovered mvseif and which has been sue
cessful so far. lido not expect any trouble
whatever in the matter Of imitation.
r. What are the usual difficulties en-
counteFed in making a successful ascentP
u. The greatest trouble is of course due
to rainy weather, and the next is a high
winf, which renders it difficult to keep the
air hot while sufficient OF it is being injected
into the balloon to make a perfect ascent.
However, ii tomorrow is as good a day as
thishas been | shall be satisfied.
K. How great q height do you expect to
attain before you make the jump?
G. l usually get at least 5 1000 feet, and
| certainly ought to reach 1000 feet even
at this altitude.
r. Do you experience any nervousness
when making these leaps?
g. with a SMILEY Well, | an always
glad when | am safely landed.
r. 1t was stated in an advertisement that
yea will have something novel on the sec
ond day. May / ask what it is?
G. Yes, it is this. 1 have brought with
me the youngest professional ~aeronaut in
the world to my knowledge, John W. Han
ner. He is twelve years of age and has al
ready made several very successful balloon
ascensions. On the fifth of July he will
make the ascension here will and also for tn
first time make the parachute leap. He is
a brave boy perfectly cool and possessed
and | have no doubt he will perform the
feat as successfully as ] can myself and will
even rise to a greater height as he is SO
much lighter than l.
The reporter left Mr.. Comes with the i'm
preston that he is first-class in his line,
and that he will perform the feat in ques-
tion without any nervousness"
johnnie Hammer is a bright-looking boy,
and talks about making ascensions as if it
was as ommon as eating. He has 10
doubts whatever about making a success OF
his first leap, and will probably not exper.
fence half the feeling OF timidity OF those
who wibneep his daring performances.