Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-14

with Andree. Their boyhood was spent in
the same vicinity and they were more init
mate perhaps than cousins usually are
But time sewers many associations and
when in 1878 the two cousins stepped from
the Polytechnical University of Stockholm
diplomas in hand. they separated probably
TOT lie. Thorsell after a few months tried
ms luck at his profession in Russia and
hnding openings none too plentiful the was
mechanical engineer), he came to Ameri-
ca Andree stayed at home. He was a
quiet, studious young fellow. much given
to inventing. and did not care to seek en-
ployment and perhaps fame. in a strange
land. In the course of time he came into a
comfortable position in the patent office of
| his native country. where his talent as a
mechanical engineer made him a useful
man.
Mr. Thorsell is now living in Be. evue
with his wife and charming little daughter.
For the last twelve years he has followed
his profession in Pittsburg. He likes the
city, and says he hopes to spend many
years in its vicinity. To reporter for the
Daily News he chatted very pleasantly of
his youth, and gave some interesting recol-
lections of Andree. whom he fears has met
his fate in the frozen north.
"Andree is my full cousin. he said, land
we were classmates. and, what is more so
closely resemhled each other that We were
constantly being mistaken for the
other When | went out on the streets il
was Just often, Hello. Andreer as il
was Hello, ThGrsell" 1t was the same with
Andree Even our fellow students mistook
us. This youthful resemblance has faded
however. Andree has certainly grown tall
er and heavier than 1. and from pictures L
have seen of him. not only wears no beard
but has changed greatly in the face. How
ever. believe n very positive resemblance
could be traced yet. our noses were GER
tainly alike and there is similarity in the
shape Of our foreheads, which could never
change.
no xr..ttth hat
would imagine would ever develop into an
explorer. He possessed none of the daring
characteristics which you would infer a
man must have to prompt him to cut loose
in a balloon on such a desperate trip as he
planned. In fact, he was quiet even timid
when at school. and was often teased by
the more hardy and fun-loving lads He
preferred to sit by himself. porting over
some book, than to join in athletic sports
He was good student and became a fine
engineer
II don't think his expedition was prompt
ed so much by his love of exploration as by
his love of mechanical invention. He was
always a balloon enthusiast He expert
mented with them from the time he left
college. always in an effort to produce one
that would be subject to guidance. A num-
Der Of years ago he Il forget the date)
planned an excursion through the air from
Sweden to st. Petersburg. He tried to
cross the Gulf of Finland, but something
went wrong with his balloon, and he saw
that he was in great danger of dropping
into the water He managed TO land on an
uninhabted lset, however, and stayed
there three weeks. He was pretty nearly
starved when rescued by passing vessel.
Even that experience did not seem to
cure him of his love for aerial navigation.
He has figured as an inventor in other di-
rections. and believe held patents on sew
eral articles. However, balloons We're al
ways his hobby.
He never married. but has several
brothers and sisters. Contrary to the gen.
eral belief, Andrew Andree has never been
north before. His brother made a voyage
to the Arctic seas some years ago. and
first venture In exploration of the balloon
list.
las TO his trip, know only what have
read. 1t is now nearly twenty years since
I saw him. and We long ago ceased to cor
respond. / consider myself pretty nearly
an American now, as 1 have an American
wife and expect to live and die i'm America.
Consequently, L only correspond with the
immediate members Of my family in the
old country, and so have no personal
knowledge Of the expedition.
Il fear my cousin has sacrificed his life
to his ambition. While II is possible that
he is still living somewhere in the frozen
to me terribly against it. Unless one care
fully considers the circumstances, he does
not realize the terrible chances which the
three members of that little party took. 1t
was almost like suicide STILL" added Mr..
Thorsell. after a moment of silent ref1ec-
ton, 'if had been at home perhaps
should have accompanied him."
An old-fashioned blizzard prevailed all
M. yesterday. No damage to stock or
SIT of railway traffic was reportoH