Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-11-23
THE FIELD OF ADV VENTURE.
THRILLING INCIDENTS AND OAR
ING DEEDS ON LAND AND SEA.
Thrilling Story OF Two Aeronauts
A Brave Locomotive Fireman
RESCUED by a Living Chain.

N cot in st. Luke's Hospital,
says the New York Journal,
" lies Charles Wolcott. the
aeronaut. Near him, in the
same surgical ward, is Frank Stevens,
equally as well known as q balloonist.
The accidents that sent these two dare
ing men to the same New York hospital
happened thousands of miles apart.
Wolcott has been in the hospital since
last April. Stevens was carried there
last Thursday. They suffered the
same injuries, which are almost NOR
tai.
1t was Stevens's devoted friendship
for Wolcott that stretched him by
Wolcott's side. Visiting them and
tending their wants is Nina Madison,
q young woman of Jersey City, who,
in turn, would have risked her lie for
money with which to alleviate their
sufferings.
The Journal has told of Wolcott's
balloon ascension at Vera de Cura,
Venezuela. 1t was Venezuela's Ma
tional holiday, the birthday of Senor
Bolivar. the liberator. When VOL.
colts balloon ascended $500 feet he
cut loose the parachute to descend by
it. The robes had been tangled by
the pressing crowd trampling on
them. The parachute did not spread
until Wolcott was within three hun
dred feet of the ground. Then the
terrific resisting force OF the air tore
it into ribbons and the aeronaut shot
downward. His spine was dislocateI
and many of his bones were broken.
He was carried to Caracas, and last
spring a steamer brought him to New
York. Only the most skillful surgical
treatment saved his life and cured,
but slowly, the partial paralysis that
followed his injuries.
Soon after Wolcott was taken to ST.
Luke's, Frank Stevens and Nina Madi-
son went to him. He taught them
how to ascend in balloon, and to
descend with a parachute. They gave
their purses to Wolcott, whose own
was nearly exhausted by expensive
surgeons. They knew that he had an
engagement to make on ascension at
Huntington, Canada, on September s
last.
"We will take your place in the bal
loon," Stevens aud Miss Madison sail
to their master in bal'ooning. "We
will take the risk. You can take the
money"
Wolcott demurred. "You may do
as much for us some day." urged his
two pupils.
Wolcott feebly smiled and accepted
their offer.
A big fair was going on at Hunting.
ton on September 8. Thousands were
there. Miss Madison and Stevens ar.
rived ut the FUR only few hours be-
fore the time set for the ascension.
Their baggage was delayed, so when it
came their preparations were hur.
riedly made.
81 will go up alone and make the
Descent" said Stevens.
The parachute with which he was to
make his leap was carried to Hunting
don in metal cylinder. The edges
of the cylinder, in transit, had partly
severed some of the ropes OF the para.
chute. In his hurry Stevens did not
notice that. He was $500 feet in the
air when he swung himself down to
the trapeze OF the parachute. He cut
loose the huge umbrella slowly it
descended, widely it spread The
crowds far below uplooking at the
speck in the air cheered, for it seemed
that the daring descent would he sue.
cessful.
But Stevens had not dropped far
when to his horror, the ropes broke
on one side Of the parachute. He fell
like bag of ballast to within 200
feet of the ground. Women watching
him fanted; men were pale and help.
less. But lucky slant of wind caught
the parachute and almost righted it.
Stevens's downward speed was slightly
checked, but ne fell through the
branches of great tree.
He was picked up for dead and car
ried to house near by.
"He will surely die" said the doc.
tors who were called.
Hes worth thousand dead men, I"
said Miss Madison, and she insisted
that Stevens be hurried to Montreal
on the first freight train that passed.
There he was taken to the Royal Viz.
toria Hospital. His injuries were
similar to those that Wo!cott received,
months before, in far away Venezuela.
His spine was dislocated and many
bones were broken. Next day Miss
Madison returned to Huntingdon.
She had the parachute repaired.
81 am now ready to mako my as.
cent" she said to the managers of the
far.
"You shall not" they said. "The
danger is too great. Why should you
run the risk 2"
II need money" she eaid simply.
VI have nov two CT my profession to
care for"
The managers paid her much more
than If she had risked her life. They
literally paid Steven, too. After six
weeks Miss Madison took him to New
York, to st. Luke's hospital.
Stevens will ultimately recover,
too. So, one day, if they stick to
Ia 4