The National tribune., 1900-01-04

balance of his life equally with his fellow
yoyagers who have suffered so keenly
under calm and braZen eXterlors up to the
moment of flight.
Years ago the writer, in the course OF
business as an illustrator, was begulled
into series OF aeronautlc excursions win
several ballooniStS of repute, and has Sc
lected as the most extended and certainly
the most varied of his experiences of this
sort a voyage havi e its beginning III the
Public Square OF the city of Cleveland.
Prof. Samuel A. King, OF Philadelphia,
had contracted with the city authorities to
make a Fourth of July ascension in his
mammoth balloon Buffalo. This famed
aeronaut was then, and still continues to be,
easily the foremost Of those engaged III this
hazardous calling in the United States
OF great stature, and possessed Of rellabte
of good nature, he seems peculiarly fitted
for his occupation, and his wonderful es-
capes in many crises OF real peril are
largely due 10 these qualities, which inspire
those who accompany him aloft with
a comfortable sense Of security and CON
fidence.
At daybreak upon the hot July morning
gang of city laborers came into the Public
Square and began to dig into the margin
of the highway, soon uncoverlng gas
main. Then wagons came laden with
the heavy aerostat, or balloon proper, the
DettIEg, DaSEeI-car, 6ICIlOTs, ana cOTudSe.
A squad OF police We're busy by 8 O'Clock
in maintaining an open space III the center
of which the big yellow bag was spread
out, connected by long tube with the gas
main, and already beginning to Show
bubbles Of imitation here and there. Men
were busy filling bags with sand, others
dragged the net over the aerostat, and the
Professor was personally engaged III
fastening the valve a most vital matter, TO
the apex of the balloon. A little later the
mass had taken form of a great dome, show
ing, with its ribbed network and yellow
varnish, like a huge pineapple cheese
The sand-bags were secured TO the knots
of the netting by snaffies all around the has'
of initiation, attendants constantly lowering
these weights and adding 10 them as tbs
ascension power of the growing monstel
increased.
At 2 O'Clock the balloon had taken all %
the gas its distended size couid hold
Then with much care the weights were
shifted to drop lines and the aerosiat al
lowed to lift until room was made for the ear
Strong lines attached 10 the netting wer,
laShed TO a heavy hickory ring, 10 wh!cl
i'm turn the basket car was appended. Tn
anchors, drag-rope, ballast tnearly LOO
pounds OF sand in bags n tent, ard man
other things were piled into or appendei
from the rigging, and this, the car, the ali
ship Buffalo" stood ready. gently sway
ing, a beautiful craft, so feet or more il
hight, surrounded by a vast, perspirng
excited multitude, filling every aNenu
of approach, and the windows or roofs Of al
nearby structures.
All the elect" who were TO go as Offering
10 the fateS for the delight of the lnuititud
were close al hand. Seven persons accom-
panied Prof. King upon this occasion, fiv
being local journalists.
Some of the principal dangers nciden
to aerOnauticS attend the details of gettin,
away from the midst of the surgng. uu
controlable crowd, and Gaping telegraph
poles, trees, and church steeple5 All o
these We're safely cleared as the BufTal
arose slowly from the sudden tumut O
noise and was caught in the embrace u
the light western wind.
With the release of the last strand holC
ing the Buffalo in leash all fear took leay
of the venturers. The little group of me
standing around the edge of the baske
car, waving responses and adieuS towar
the deliriouS multitude below, formed III
focal point for hundred thousand pairs {
eyes; bands We're playing that noisy bu
appropriate air. "Up IN a Balloon, Bows
cannon doomed. steam-whistles Shrieke
upon lake and shore, while every momef
the splendid scene hroadcncd ard rccede
until the city assumed the appearance of
beautifully painted chart, from the COZ
temptation OF which the crew was abruptl
aroused by the command OF the Profess
(all aeronauts, by the way, are Professors
Over with some sand, boys" The hand .
the aneroid barometer had ceased to NOV,
Fifty pounds Of sand, spilled from its ba1
stained the ether side with "a long, gra
streak swaying to earth, and the aneroi
registered another half mile between OF
amber globe and the black patches repr
senting the "spell-bound" crowds left b,
hind US.