Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-05
TOSSED INTO THE SEA.
Sensational Close of Boston's Fourth
Of.July Celebration.
AN AER0NAUT'S LAST ASCENT.
After 11S Successful Flights Through the
Clouds He Is Drowned
TOGETHER WITH A BRAVE COMPANION

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DrsPArcH.l
BOSTON, July "A tragedy, sensational
in its details, closed the city's celebration
of Independence Day. The balloon ascen-
sion from Boston Common was the last
feature of the DAYS observance, with the
exception of the fireworks, and fully 100, 900
people were crowded within sight of the
parade ground, where the big balloon,
Governor Russell, was tugging at the
ropes
Prof G. A. Rogers, who had made 11s
balloon asceusions before to-day's. was the
Reronaut. He had for an assistant Thomas
Fenton, a gasftter, who is employed at
Austin & Stones Museum. The third oc-
cupant of the car was Mr. Delose Gold
smith, reporter for the Boston Press As
sociation.
The wind had been blowing strong from
the northwest ali the morning and in the
early part of the afternoon, but at the hour
of ascension, $50 O'Clock, it had died down.
The messengers which were sent up to show
the wind currents did not show any danger
Gus current, and Prof Rogers gave the Or
der to start, fully expecting to come down
safely on terra firma.
A Chiid's Marrow Escape.
When the sandbags were removed the
balloon shot upward almost perpendicularly.
A rope that dangled from the car came
very near deeapitating a baby in its
mothers arms, but the child was rescued
before the loose end snapped around it.
After reaching height of about mile, the
balloon suddenly changed its course and
sailed seaward at a rapid gait. Then it
began to descend slowly. 1t was too lar up
for the people to see what was being done,
yet they knew Prof Rogers had opened the
safety-valve and was trying to descend
before the balloon was blown out to sea.
While the crowd watched the balloon
suddenly collapsed when yet great dis
tance from the horizon, and fell like shot.
A cry of horror was uttered by that great
crowd on the Common, yet they knew moth
ing of what was going on at the scene of the
tragedy. Dorchester Bay was alive with
crafts of all kinds, tor the city regatta was
being sailed there.
When the balloon was seen rushing sea-
ward in a course that would take it over the
bay, all interest was transferred from the
regatta to the balloon. When it began to
descend there was agood deal of speculation
rs to whether the occupants would get
ducking or whether they would land on
Thompson's Island.
The Safety-vaIve Wouldn't Open.
Professor Rogers could be seen tugging at
the satety-valve rope. He had already
made rent in the lower part of the balloon,
and was not dropping fast enough, and the
safety-valye refused to open.
Suddenly the yachtsmen saw the balloon
collapse. The cause has not vet been
L
fissure made by Professor Rogers became
enlarged The three occupants of the car
were seen clinging to the ropes, and then
the wreck struck the water. The car sank |
immediately The folds of the immense
balloon settled over the struggling
occupants.
A scope of boats instantly rushed to the
rescue, but they were too late, Two of the
oeedpants of the car were seen to emerge
from beneath the folds Of the balloon. One
was Prot. Rogers the other was Reporter |
Goldsmith Fenton had not come to the |
surface. Goldsmith was swimming easily, |
but Prot. Rogers seemed in distress.
Last Ascent of the Asronaut.
When the foremost rescuing boat was less |
than 20 feet away the venerable aeronaut |
threw up his hands and sank. He was not
again seen, and his body has not vet been |
board the tug Nathaniel P. Doan, which |
carried the judges of the city regatta, and
he became unconscious but was quickly re-
vIved. The tug then steamed up to the |
balloon and many hands tugged at the ropes |
until Mr.. Fenton's body was dragged into |
view. His neck had been caught in one of |
the meshes of the net, and he had been |
strangled to death. His body was warm,
and " hile the boat was steaming back to the |
city efforts were made to revive him, with |
out success
In Prot Rogers ascensions before his |
fatal trip to-day, Al times he had been |
blown out to sea. Seven years ago the bal |
loon burst while he was making an ascension |
from Revere Beach, and he fell to the beach |
from height of fully 100 feet He was |
confined to his bed two years. as a result OF |
that fall, but as soon as he was able to move |
he returned to the business which eventually |
caused his death.