The San Francisco call., 1897-04-17
MAHY SEE AN AIRSHIP.
r putdbie Citizens of Several States
Declare That Aerial Navigation
A.. c.fyad

rs SofHe0.
BIRMINGHAM, Iowa, April 16.-Wil-
liam Walters, living near this city, is re-
sponsible for the statement that he and
several others saw an airship settle down
on the meadow a mile from this city this
morning. They ran toward it, but when
within one hundred yards, it rose grace
fully into the air. Two men were plainly
seen in the car. The machine was one
hundred feet long and twenty feet broad
in the center, tapering to points. When
it rose it made whirring sound like a
circular saw.
CLARKSVILLE. TENN, April 1.-two
local warehouse men, three merchants
and four city officers saw an airship last
night. They say il was about q mile high
and travelled from east to the northwest.
The citizens are watching for it to- night.
LOUISVILLE, KY, April 16.-The citi-
zens of Russelville, The county seat Of
Logan County. say they saw an airship
last night. Mayor Andrews, City Clerk
McCutchen, James McCutchen, the Oldest
and weaIthiest merchant in the city, and
DR.. Charles Portland, men of unques-
toned standing, declare they saw the
strange aerial cruiser circle around the city
for ten minutes before sailing off to the
west
WATERLOO, Iowa, April 16-This sec
ton IS much excited over an airship or
hying machine, which was first observed
here at day break to-day. The stranger in
charge says 1t is flying machine and tha at
he landed here to make repairs. He will
resume his voyage tomorrow. He keeps
all the people at distance of several hum
dred yards from the machine, and there
fore many do not credit his story, but
think it lake designed to create a sensa-
tion. Just what object the man has to
gain is mystery, as he has not asked Tor
money from the hundreds who have Wis
tied the field 10 take look at the thing.
1t is about forty feet long and constructed
like giant cigar, with wingllke attach
ments on the side and steering appara tus
in the rear. The whole is surmounted by
cupola or lookout chair on the roof. The
queer craft appears to be built OF canvas.
subjected to heavy coat of varnish. The
pipe leading from the cone OF the thing
constantly emits vapor, as If the motor
power were steam. The man in charge is
a stranger in this section ana carries a
rifle to keep the people from too closely
examining the machine. He secured per-
mission from the farmer on whose land
he Is to keep his machine for few days.
The man says he is on voyage around
the world, but was forced to alight for re-
pairs, and that If the people do not believe
he can fly through the air they can wait a
day or two and he will give them a very
| startling free exhibition.
Late tonight the owner told straight
story OF how, in company with Mr..
Stormont. he left San Francisco March
20, and gave every detail OF the voyage up
to the time OF landing. 1t is said now the
whole affair is a hoax and the machine
was buiis by local wag for the purpose
OF creating a sensation.
ST. LOUIS. Mo-, April 16.-An airship
visited ST. Louis again last night. This
time its bright searchlieht was not only
seen by thousands, but the object was
observed through a telescope, and the out
lines OF the craft seen. A person who
caught gn excellent view of the strange
visitor and brought it near the earth by
means of powerful lens is DR.. Leo Cap
ian, the throat specialist. Caplan is one
OF the leading men in the profession, and
his word is i'm plcitly relied on,