Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-07-04
The Balloon Ascension.

!
The balloon will go UP about 4 O'Clock
on the State grounds. outside of the park
entrance, where everything may be
plainly seen from the first.
! The balloon Is a monster SO-foot affair
and capable OF lifting two men. Prof.
Harry Eestrange of New York. will make
the ascent. and will, drop from dizzy
i height in parachute.
| Prof Lestrange was on the grounds,
| Friday. preparing for the ascension. He
had made for the imitation by hot air, a
trench of about Is feet in length,
| The fire is built ut one end, the trench
| being covered over. even with the sur
| face, and at the other end the stack,
which makes draft for the fire, pours
the heat into the balloon.
The professor Is character, and has
| an interesting way about him He is
light. weighing only 1872, and looks as if
you couldn't kill him.
Did you ever get hurt?" he was asked
"Oh, yes. Was swung up against the
side of Il building once"
Hurt bad?''
'''rhree ribs broken"
Did that take your sand away?"
Mop. Went at it again as soon as
got WE'LL
How came you in the business?'
Met man out Wcst--a balloonist;
liked the idea and used to help him.
Finally he asked me if ia try rise.
some day Did go? Well. | should say
| did and have been going ever since.
How do you feel when you're going
up?'
Feel all right. 1t doesn't seem as if
one were moving at all when you're once
started. It's just like having the earth
go off and leave you 1t is hard to realize
that you're doing all the travelling"
How do things locke"
''Small-mighty small Trees look like
little strawberry plants and one loses
the effects of the depressions and elcya-
tons. and the country looks fiat
How docs it feel on the parachute?"
"oh. it's about the same only the earth |
seems 10 be coming for you"
MI. Lostr&nSe says he never feels |
nervous, but realizes well enough that |
each trip he makes may be his last. lie |
enjoys il. however, and is attracted by |
the fascination attached 10 his profess
sion.
He has made ascons!ons in Trenton. \.
j.. Nj. Holly. y. j., Fredericksburg. Va.
Waveriy. \. j.. poughkeepsie. and Eing
hampton, y. y. and Bridgewater. Taun-
ton and Erockton, Mass.
He las been n balioonis; seven wears
He says he has neger had narrow es-
cape from drowning. bat once landed in
/ pond fortunately near enough to the
shore 10 enable his reaching it,
The fan through the air from the bal
Don, until the parachute fills. he says. is
| most eSciting one. He feels perfectly
sure of its finally filling, however. aa one
has never been known, at lsaa. when
properly handled. 10 30 bacl, on ils dti.
lies.
At noon and also AZ O'Clock p. NJ
'aiutes will be given ar the arsenal, ana
here will be a ringing of bells.
The Fireworks.
The committee on fireworks reports
hat the best display has been provided
or the evening. that viii ever have been
'een in Augusta.
1t includes al kinds of high pieces-the
rockets. the Gatllng Roman
andes. and the bombs. that fill the air
With showers of sparks. of as many
'o.ors.
The set pieces will be especially clabo-
ate, and viii be designed with specja,
efcrence 10 local hits.
Mastan 4 Wells, the weil-known manu-
acturers in Boston. have furnished the
objection. and will he represented here
~ Mr.. Fitzpatrick, who will set off the
pieces.
The best place to view them will he
rom the west side of the river, although
he high ones may be seen from all
Iround,
Concert and Ball.
The concert and ball at City hall will
lose the days festivities.
There will be an enjoyable programme
PRESENTED at the concert which will com
hence at p. NJ, with patriotic airs and
stirring marches galore,
The grand fireMeE's ball will be given
'nder the charge of the Augusta fire de-
'artment in the City hail. commencing
It +. NJ. and lasting until midnight
The best of music has been procured.