The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-08-17

A Butler County Man Gains Distinction At
Coney Island.

Butler County Man Gains Distinction ii
| Coney Island.
| 1t is a cold day when a Kansas man
| cannot get notoriety for something
The latest is Martin Ables who used
to spend a good deal of his time at
| Wichita but whose home is at Ell Do
RADIO. 1t was at Coney Island and the
| News OF that city speaks Of him as
| follows:
AT no time since the terrific storm
| OF 1874 has this city experienced such
| excitement and alarm as was caused
| by the escape Of the Brighton Beach
| captive balloon at 10 o'clock this morn
| ing.
Through some defect in the mechan-
ism Of the hydraulic windlass, while
| hauling the monster air ship to the
earth. the retaining cable parted. In
stantly the great balloon shot into the
air at terrific speed. continuing its wild
ascent until It seemed a mere speck in
the sky.
When It was discovered that the bal
loon was drifting seward and full hor-
ror OF the situation flashed on the thous
ands OF upturned faces. Women faint
ed. children crouched shuddering
against their mothers draperies. while
strong men gazen in helpless despair
at the now almost invisible balloon
bearing off TO sea five helpless human
souls.
AT I 80 o'clock p. m, the loud boom
Of cannon was heard Immediately
all eyes were turned toward the gov
eminent cutter Neptune lying of the
coast 1t was then seen that officers
were on the lookout among the rigging
signalling shoreward. At once a mighty
shout went up from the people on the
beach when they discovered the rum
away balloon again in sight and de-
scending rapidly away to the north
The basket attached to the balloon was
swinging wildly from side to side and
was descending at a fearfuny rapid
rate. The occupants Of the balloon
could be seen clinging to the basket as
IL disappeared beyond the bluffs north
Of the city. A reporter for the News
was soon speeding up the beach in a
carriage 10 where the balloon descend
ed. II had landed near the Worthen
cottage, where the Adventures were
being cared for.
The only one OF the party suffering
any injury was Martin Abeles of FL
Dorado. Butler county. Kan. His face
was slightly scratched and his lip Sc
vereiy cut The other occupants. Miss
Vance Smythe and Aaron Grouse OF
Serial. ". Y; Sam Jones of ST. Louis.
and c. L Selkirk Of Freelani. Ia. were
unframed. but all were suffering from
nervous shocks.
Miss Smythe. a beautiful petite !
blonde, stated that their rescue was due
70 the cslmness and bravery OF Mr.. |
Abeles. who as soon as he discovered !
the balloon had escaped. cautioned all |
% crouch down and cling 70 the basket |
Then dives;ing himself OF his coat and /
shoes he daringiy climbed UP the net
work Of ropes and secured the valve 1
cord which was whipping wildly In the |
wind away over our heads ] shah 1
never forget with what fear and horror .
1azed as the wind flung him far out i
over the side with nothing but few
fran cords between him and space On
his rcgaining the basket n safety The 4
escape cord was pulled gently Soon
the balloon became settled Al this
time ! noticed the air was full Of n1e
particles % frost teit strange ring
Ing in my ears ana uust have become
Unconscious TIE next thing I -e-
member was being brought 20 tais cot
tare.'
ITO :hs reporter NJ. Ah@ies stated
that h had had some experience with
balloons. but WAS alarmed when TIE
balloon dri<ted towards th< open c-cesn-
Bat. OF reaching an Uppef cu--ent os
air. carrying the osiison injznd. -
knew TIE csscen; would be made IN
safety
Afr. Ate;es e. sscu. = years - age.
weights 80 pounds. has FIRE classical
'scs. apparently . professional MAJ
: se-y modest. dssciai-zs al c-siIg Tor
his daring set and refused 20 give his
rsne and sdf-~rs bz, Il xas secured
sson bis travelling eenDaa3oA