Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-01-18
THE FIELD OF ADVENTURE.
THRILLING INCIDENTS AND OAR.
ING DEEDS ON LAND AND SEA.

came surgical ward, is Frank Stevens
equally as we'll known as balloonist
The accidents that sent these two dare
ing men to the same New York hospita
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 ano
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 theil
sufferinRs.
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 dislocatel
and many of his bones were broken.
He was carried to Caracas, and last
spring 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 n balloon, and to
descend with parachute. They gave
their purses to Wolcott, whose own
was nearly exhausted by expensive
surgeons. They knew that he had an
engagement to make an ascension at
Huntington, Canada, on September 8
last.
"We will take your place in the bal
Ioon," Stevens and Miss Madison sail
to their master in ballooning. "We
will take the risk. You can take the
money"
Wolcott iemurred. "You may do
as much for us some day." urged his
two pupils.
Wolcott feebiy smiled and accepte
their offer.
A big fair was going on at Hunting.
ton on September 3. Thousands were
there. Miss Madison and Stevens ar.
rived at the fair 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 mako 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 5000 feet in the
air when he swung himself down to
the trapeze OF the parachute. Ho 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 be 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 wero pale and help
less But lucky slant of wind caught
the parachute and almost righted it.
Stevens's downward speed was slightly
checked, but he fell through the
branches of great tree.
Ho was picked upfor dead and car
ried to house near by.
"He will surely die," said the doc
tors who were called.
"He's worth q thousand dead men. "
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 Wis.
toria Hospital. His injuries were
similar to those that Wolcott received,
months before, in far away Venezuela.
His spine WAS dislocated and many
bones were broken. Next Gay Miss
Madison returned to Huntingdon.
She had the parachute repaired.
81 am now ready to make 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 Z"
II need money!" shc said simply.
81 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. Lukc's Hospital.
Stevens will ultimately recover,
100. So, one day, it they stick to
ballooning, Wolcott may do as much
for his two devoted pupils.
A Fireman's Brave Deed.