The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-10-06
STORY OF DEVOTION.
Two Friends Make BallOOnAS-
tensions to Aid WOlcOtt.
Met WOlcOtt'S Fate--The Other Now
Assisting to Nurse Both.

On cot In st. Luke's hospital, New
York, lies Charles Wolcott, tho aeronaut.
Near him, I'm tho same ward, IL Frank
Stevens, equally well known az bal
loonist. The accidents that sent these two
daring men to the sai.e hospital happened
thousands Of miles apart. Wolcott has been
In the hospital since April. Stevens was
carried there few days since They suf-
fered the same injuries, which are almost
mortal.
1t was Stevens friendship for Wolcott
that stretched him by Wolcott's side. Wis
iting them and tending their wants is Nina
Madison, young woman " Jersey City,
who, in turn, would have risked her life
for money with which to alleviate their
sufferings.
The story has been told Of Wolcott's bal
loon ascension ut Venezuela II was the
national holiday, the birthday Of Senior
Bolivar, the Liberator. When Wolcott's
balloon assembled over 5000 feet, he cut
loose the parachute to descend by It. The
ropes had been tangled by the pressing
crowd trampling on thcm. The parachute
did not spread until he was within 800 feet
of the ground Then the terrific resisting
force of the air tore it into ribbons, and
he shot downward. and his spine was dis
located and many Of his bones broken. He
was carried to Caracas, and last spring
steamer brought him here. Only the most
skillful surgical treatment saved his life
and cured but slowly tho partial paralysis
that followed his injuries.
Soon after he was taken TO the hospital
Frank Stevens and Miss Madison went to
him. He taught them how to ascend In
balloon and TO descend with a parachute.
They gave their purses to him, and knew
that he had an engagement to make an
asoensionat Huntington, Canada, on Sept.
last. 1--WE will take your place in the
balloon" Stevens and Miss Madison said
to Wolcott "We will take the risk, you
can take the money" Wolcott remon-
strated. "You may do as much for us
some day." urged his two pupils. Wolcott
accepted their offer.
A big fair was going on at Huntington
on Sept 8. Thousands were there. Miss
Madison and Mr.. Stevens arrived only
few hours before the time set for the as
cension. Their baggage was delayed. so
when 1t came their preparations were hur-
riedly made.
Il will first go up alone and make the
descent, said Stevens
The parachute with which he was to
make his leap was carried to the grounds
in a metal cylinder The edges Of the cyl
inder In transit had partly severed some of
the ropes of the parachute He used hot
air balloon He was 3, 500 feet above the
ground when he swung himself down to
the trapeze OF the parachute. He cut loose
the parachute; slowly 1t descended, widely
outspread The crowds below uplooking
at tho speck in the air cheered for 1t
,aI hat ha "a
successful But Stevens had not dropped
far when, 20 his horror, the ropes broke
on one side of the parachute. He fell like
bag of ballast until he was within 200
feet Of the ground. Women watching him
tainted, men were pale and helpless, but a
lucky slant of wind caught the parachute
and almost righted it. His downward
speed was slightly checked, but he fell
through the branches of big tree. He
was picked up for dead and carried to
house near by.
"He will surely die" said the doctors
who were called. He is worth thou
sand dead men," said Miss Madison, and
she insisted that Stevens be hurried TO
Montreal Oh the first freight train shat
passed There he was taken to the Royal
Victoria hotel. His injuries were SIM
liar to those that Wolcott received. His
spine was dislocated and many bones were
broken. Next day Miss Madison returned
to Huntington. She had the parachute
repaired.
II am ready to mako my ascent" she
said to the managers of the fair.
"You shall not" they said; "the dan
ger Is too great. Why should you run the
risk"
81 need money 1 now have two Of my
profession to care for" said she.
The managers paid her much moro than
If she risked her life. They literally paid
Stevens too Aftor six weeks she took
Stevens TO New York to St Luke's hospi-
tai. Stevens will ultimately recover. VOL
colt will recover too. So ono day, If they
stick to ballooning, Wolcott may do as
much for his two devoted pupils.-St
Louis Post-Dispatch.