The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-04-10
OMAHA SEES THE AIRSHIP.
rgF CTTY HAUNTED NIGHTS BY
THE AERIAL VISITOR.

lake wings on inc s'aos ahe ".e -
and Aft-A .-s,....a.
II Misses u"
OMAHA, Neb., April 9.-Several hundred per
sons In Omaha are ready to swear that an ar
nhip Of gigantic proportions has been hovering
over this city at night for some time IL mas
been seen repeatedly. Six months ago IL was
heard OF In the Interior OF the State' anu sinoo
then II has been seen In other parts OF Nebraska
During the last two weeks 1t has been seen al
most nightly in this city. lnVariaoly tho oe-
scription has boen the same. More persons
nave seen the great headlight OF the machine
than have seen the outlines OF the vessel, al
though a great many say they have seen the tuil
-utlines OF tho ship itself.
The general verdict Is that the ship has q long
steel body, shaped like a cigar. about4o feet long
and 9 to 10 feet in diameter. with wing-hke at
tachments on the sides. while fore and aft APP
near wheel.like devices similar to the steering
apparatus Of a steamship. The top 10 capped
with a balloon.like bag. oblong and seemingly
attached to the vessel by ropes. Inc heaoiight
|, similar to that OF a locomotive.
The first instance in which the airship has
been seen on the ground is reported from Wolf
Creek township. Ia, just across the river. Rich
ard Butler. a very well.to-do farmer. tells this
story:
"I was driving homo on Wednesday night
when | observed q light in q field close to tho
mad. knew no house was there, and stopped.
The light had a glow more like that of an cleo
tric lamp than that of the kerosene burners used
BY the residents OF the Wolf Creek district"
Butler strained his eyes and was astonished to
re a dark bulk, through the windows Of which
the light shone. He describes 1t as q long. mar
row car, resembling a corset box in shape, but
perhaps thirty or thirty-nve feet in length, six
4 .-rl.I - 49, 5000 L. hAt-kN
Over this car ioated a cigar-shaped bag. hori-
v~ontally placed, of about the same length as the
car. whether there were sails or steering APP
par.tus Butler cannot say, for his horses caught
aight Of the vessel, bolted for tho opposite side Of
the road, and tumbled wagon and driver into
the ditch. By the time Butler had crawled from
the wreck and regained his feet the machine was
moving briskly in a southerly direction, and, at
the same time, ascending at an angle of about
Is degrees. Butler watched it out Of sight, and
then continued on his way on foot.
Several hundred Omaha people saw the ship
m Wednesday.
BURLINGTON. Ia, April 9.-Thea irship which
was seen last night by so many persons along
the line Of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and
Northern Railroad was the chief topic OF CONVEX
ntion in this region to-day. Many describe the
machine as having q headlight like that Of Q
hoomotive. They were able to distinguish wing
Ike projections on each side. The airship ap-
uo.red at about 7:So o'clock, and, according to
u....., .,.,.ua5 nor+hy..t.rlv finally dt..
VI fepo'"
appearing across the Minnesota state line.
Some say they heard a kissing noise as the
oNt enooo Infouen INC 81. o NooM'
when the vessel was In swift motion, however.
While It was lowering or changin its course
g., = ,or,d Tbs craft, No. sunnoosd n
b about 1000 feet above the earth. No one can
b, found who can give any accurate description
..I.-t-ht. IA r., o,Iv e. -
eitne aifsniP' d . . my ~ uaA,
all but for the light which often is not turned
.n,,,I N. .hin a. d,rsct,v ov.- . citv
IA uhtu Al sui".i'
81. LOUIS, April "a possible explanation
n the airship, 90 much talked about In Nebraska
..sI.-. q. .ont,in.d IN the ,onovino de.,.tch
from Omaha, published in the Gtooe-D Democrat .
fev DAYS ago:
Dr-nr tha n..+ .;x month";. an o,,soed air.
nu,me INC poes ~ n M
Bhip has been observed floating In the heavens
IN dj1erent sections OF this State. For the past
- -.-, a. - -. -. hor.rnr o,.,
tnree nisnts u mas oeeh eeen o'etin o'o,
Omaha Tho unusual occurrence has created
- -. -.
epihion thA' an inventor U d a ai'nip nAS
been testing his machine In Nebraska prepar-
story to placing it before the public.
Inc INDICATIONS are tnat John Y. freast OF TINS
county 10 the author OF the mysterious machine.
preaai IA n unione character occnnvin1 his time
.,ht. .er,t-r r..,dano. 80. om.h. -
Hnis county resiuence near omAnA In expert
menting with airships. constructing models, and
studying all the subjects incid al to the theories
Of applied mechanics along the line of providing
vessel that will .propel itself through the air.