The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-06-24
AERONAUT'S TRAGIC END.
Lost His Life at Lynchburg in
Presence of 1000 People.

ascent in his balloon at Rivermont Park
III the presence of crowd NUMBERING n |
thousand or more. 1t was y SHOCKING
and pitiful tragedy, and the spectators
were deeply affected.
Last week an ascent was made in the
balloon by negro man, who has been as
sistant of Professor Steele's for unite 81
long time. Owing to the unfayorable
location of the place from which the bal
loon assembled, the negro had very mar
row escape from Il serious accident and
there were many who warned Professor
Steele thai he had better be careful. The
balloon was inflated in "a circular omen.
ing situated in the midst of a body of
woods OF considerable size just IN the
rear OF the pavilion. Surrounding this
opening are immensely tall oaks of orig
inal growth, whose tops, full of the foil.
age of early summer, bend slightly to.
wards each other. 1t is beautiful snot
cool, shady and pleasant
Professor Steele balloon ascension
and parachute leap had been advertised
to take place at $40 o'clock, but It was
nearly 3 o'clock when the balloon was
ready for its journey towards the skies.
The balloon was filled with hot air by
means of rough kind of an oven dug
into the ground, one end of which opened
into the midst OF the VAST folds of cloth,
and rs the air rushed in from the ont.
side the cloth gradually expanded until
its top was even with the tops of the
trees. 1t was big. uncouth looking
thing, made by Professor Stpele's own
hand, and when 1t was filed with hot
air it tugged from one side to another as
II eager to be free y large number of
persons held the ship while Professor
Steele made his last necessary prepara-
lions. The parachute was attached and
when the Professor had removed all SUI.
perfiuons clothing, the final signal was
given to cast loose the ropes.
1t was bright and beautiful day, and
In the woods it was quiet and still.
Every now and then, however, the top of
the trees were bent downward with
gust of wind from the south. and indi.
Gated to the aeronaut that his. big shin
would sail in the direction of James
river. Jnst before the balloon arose a
gentleman approached Professor Steele
and begged him to be CAREFUL pointing
out to him the danger that he should an.
prehcnd from the overhanging limbs of
the trees. Steele stated thae he did not
anticipate any trouble, and thought that
he could easily avoid the outspreadinr
branches.
When the signal was given and the
ropes were cut away, the balloon shot
gracefully up through the opening in the
trees, and with increasing rapdity was
mounting upward. Suddenly the hun
dreds of people below held their breath.
A heavy gust of wind all at once struck
the big sphere and it careened towards
the north, having to all appearances a
slightly downward tendency. Professor
Steele, swinging at the end of the para
chute twenty or thirty feet below, was
hurled up through the opening between
the trees by the Unexpected motion of the
balloon with terrific rapidity. His course
through the air after he left the ground
was straight up even with the tops of the
trees, and then sudden, sharp curve,
followed by downward sweeping mo-
ton.
AS he reached it's highest roint and the
balloon swept towards the north, along
the tops of the trees, there was cry of
CONSERVATION from the crowd. Professor
Steele's awful position was app eciated.
In second the worst was realized. The
daring aeronaut, with speed far sur
passing that of the swiftest bird, was
thrown into the top of one of the largest
OAK trees. There was a crash, and man,
foliage and broken branches were for n
moment mingled together. The hope was
entertained by the crowd that Professor
steele would be able to cling to limb,
but the crashing of a heavy body through
the tree and the heavy thud of it's impact
through the immense throng
In few seconds after Professor Steele
struck the ground. Il doctor who had
| quickly approached made Il brief eXami-
nation and pronounced life extinct.
Steele had fallen at least n hundred feet
on his face and chest The tree stood on
the side of n ravine, and into the bottom
OF this the unfortunate balloonist fell
the parachute was broken loose and
chung to the top of the tree The big
balloon, full of hot air and smoke. turned
upside down and sailed away to the north
hundred yards or more The smoke
pouring from it's bottom gave to it the an
pearance Of n big black cloud.
Professor Steeles body was carried to
n suitable place, and his remains are now
being taken care Of until his relatives
can be communicated with. 1t was
Thought that his wife was stoppinp in
Danville. and a telegram asking for iDfor-
nation was sent to the chief of police of
that city. The reply received stated that
his wife was not there and that his people
iiVed IN Columbus, o. A telegram will
be sent to Columbus this morning.
Professor Steele, while in the city.
boarded with William j. Peters in River
mont. He was n bright and pleasant
man, and made Il favorable impression
upon those who met him. He stated that
he was born in Canada in 1860, and had
most OF his life been in the show bust
ness. lie was at one time with Coles
circus.
CITY OF MANCHESTER FOR TYLER.
The Democrats of Manchester district
held n primary yesterday to determine
the matter of who shall control the dele.
gates TO the State convention at Roanoke.
The polls were onened a r tt,a ,,h;to eot,.I'