The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-05-16


at is claimed by the baloonist, Baldwin,
that he has dropped 5000 feet from balloon
with a parachute. shall drop at least
10000 feet, and shall attempt what no other
balloonist ever did shall drop with the
chute closed, leaving itentirely to the air to
opcn the chute"
So said Edward d. Hogan to "A group of
newspaper men, who assembled ono morning
not long ago on a large vacant lot northwest
of town to see him make his foolhordy
venture Hogan is local aeronaut. He
was for fourteen years employed in plan
ing mill here, and only during the last four
years has devoted himself TO balIooning as
profession He has studied the subject thor
oughly, however, for many years, having
from childhood taken the kecneSt interest
and delight in the science of sailing air ships.
Uo rigged up a workshop at his home, and
there he spent every spare moment expert
menting in the constructing Of balloons, ana
on every possible occasion had made an
ascension, frequently going up TO consider
able heights
The PARACHUTE.
"There is no use - he said, "of my attempt
Ing 10 do anything unless can beat all pre-
vious records ana fall further than any living
man \ few hundred feet less or n few hun
dred feet moro will count nothing for me l
must at last double the distance"
lie repdated this talk when getting his
car ready. and at g:3j the balloon assembled
As the balloon left the earth one OF the guy
ropes holding the chute broke.
To describe this particular chute 1t Is
only necessary 10 imagine white globe
twenty feet in diameter, cut through the
center. in this way YOU have two parachutes,
the professor only having one II contained
100 wards Of stout cloth. II is not unlike a
mammoth umbrella without stick, the
braces being flexible cords running down
twenty five feet, and fastening 10 an iron
ring two feet in diameter the other cords
all run clear up 10 the seams OF the 'chute'
SO they cannot give way. ms parachute
was fastened to the outside of the hot air BAL
loon in perpendicular form by cofu
When the balloon was al the proper helsht
the professor intended 20 take hold Of the
iron ring, swing clear from the balloon, de-
pcnl ON the air 10 initiate the Chute" and
take his chances Of reaching terra firma III
sofoty. The balloon was inflated by GO,OOO
feet of hot air, balloon, parachute and APP
paratus for initiating the balloon all beng oil
Mr. Hogau's own manufacture AS he
stepped in the car and gave orders for The
ropes holding the balloon to the ground to
be cast of, the professor said 10 the CORE
spon1ent. who took what the latter believed
10 be final leave OF IA daring and reckless
man:
"My balloon ought TO take me up two
no
inside of 500 feet from the time leave the
balloon This distanc" will occupy three
seconds, after that expect to come down all
right inside Of one minute and thirty seconds
Let her go"
At the word the ropes were cut and the
monster went sailing upward.
The chute's guy has broken" cried Hogan
instantly. IN have 10 come down and
start over As soon as possible Hogan de-
scended "Ill coup again in an hour" he
said
THE SECOND TRIAL
The second trial was success. The bal
loon shot up almost straight to distance Of
fully 10000 feet 1t then settled about 400
feet and hung like bah in the heavens. The
anxious and excited crowd of people on the
ground watched the balloon with bated
breath The reporters were provided with
powerful glasses, and saw Hogan make ready
TO jump.
Hell weaken" said some one.
NO cried another, "he is getting out
The chute was closed Hogan drew it up
TIN be reached the ropes 10 which he dashed
himself. lie did not expect the chute to open
for the first 200 or 800 feet and lie was afraid
he might be shaken Off the bar by the rapidity
of the fall unless he took the precaution to
fasten himself When lie stepped on the edge
nf the car to spring of into space some Of the
spectators grew pale ana sick. Surely this
daring man was going 10 certain death.
A shout oil terror goes up. Hogan has
Jumped Down Ike a cannon bali ne fell for
500 feet The chute has not yet opened
Down it came like gigantic elongated bird
He was falling like "a meteor, and the specta-
tors shut their eyes while still keeping their
glasses elevated. Suddenly a shout goes up.
The chute has caught the air 1t opens Ike
the wings of a monster eagle Hogan's flight
downward was almost stopped with a jerk.
Then the chute settles down to steady
tourney earthward with It's passenger and
in three minutes from the time the reckless
man left the balloon he landed safely in an
open field some little distance from where
the ascent was made,
Correspondent was almost the first to grasp
the hand OF the aeronaut
Il lost my breath" said he, when | shot
down 50 fast but caught it again after a
time 1t was great jump, wasn't sF
Professor Hogan was sneared with smut.
lie had never seen a man jump with chute
He was much disappointed at the slow time
made, expecting to come down In ninety Sec
oads The chute was twenty feet in diameter.
Oscillation was guarded against by means of
four inch hole in the apex. He was over
whelmed with congratulations, and was quite
the hero of the hour.-Jacksou Mich Cor.
Globe Democrat