Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1894-02-21
oRTHOLF'S AERIAL DUCK TRAP.
Il Runs Away with Two Men and Comes
Down Only When Shot.

Down Only When Shot.
Chris Ortholf, the genial William street
barber, whose ingenious mind keeps him
busy when away from his keen edged
razors working up some curious con-
srivance, and Peter Keller had novel
and thrilling experience while expert
menting with large balloon Tuesday
afternoon. For some time Chris has been
working upon balloon designed to carry
small basket, in which he could sail
over the meadows in duck season and
from his aerial perch shoot the game as
1t passed over the high grass.
Accompanied by James Taft, Peter
Keller and Joe McNulty, Chris carried
his aerial contrivance to point on the
river road near the Jersey City water
works. The balloon was tied down to
stakes driven in the earth, and after
being filled with hot air gracefully rose
to a distance of several feet above the
ground, moving with an undulating mo-
ton in the strong breeze blowing across
the river.
1t was intended that the balloon should
rise to a certain height, and for this pur-
pose long rope had been attached to
the basket with one end fastened to
tree. While Chris and Keller were hold
ing the basket preparatory to attaching
the rope, a strong wind caught the bal
loon, causing the ropes holding it down
to break. Before the men could loosen
their hold upon the basket the balloon
shot up through the air with lightning
rapidity, carrying Chris and Keller with
it. The former attempted to get into
the basket in order to reach the check
line and allow tho air to escape, but tho
smallness of the wicker box and its sway
ing motion frustrated his efforts.
The balloon rose to distance of about
thirty feet with the men cIinging to the
sides of the basket. It then moved out
over the river and again began to rise
gradually.
AS the position of the men was becom-
ing serious, their companions below be-
came alarmed. Seeing that it was i'm
possible for him to direct his airship,
Chris called to Taft and McNulty to
pierce the balloon with shots from the
rifles which had been carried over by
the men. Chris, knowing that the un-
erring aim of both McNulty and Taft,
who are excellent marksmen, made him
secure from receiving a charge from
one of the rifles, decided it was the best
course to pursue. Keller, however, be-
came alarmed when the shots began to
strike above his head, and was about to
take the risk of dropping fifty feet into
the river than run the chances of being
shot, when he was prevailed upon to re-
tain his hold.
In a short time the aim of the men be-
low began to tell upon the balloon, and
the perforations made in the side of the
airship let out the air, causing it grad
ually to sink. When within twenty feet
of the water a shot from one of the rifles
struck one of Keller's fingers, and be-
coming excited he loosed his hold upon
the basket and dropped into the river.
The balloon was now sinking rapidly,
and when the basket was within few
feet of the surface Of the water Chris
dropped into the river to aid Keller,
who was struggling to keep afioat.
In the meantime the men upon the
shore had manned boat and were pull
ing with all their might toward the men
in the water. Chris managed to keep
his companion above water until the
boat was alongside, and both men were
soon dragged aboard. The balloon was
also taken aboard, and although thor
oughly soaked was not seriously dam
aged. .-Bellevff1e Press.