The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1900-05-25
SCOUTS OF THE SKY.
Perils of Col. Templer, Eng1and's Fa-
nous Expert with War
Balloons.

Wonderful and thrilling has been
the experience of Col. James Templer,
who brought the English war balloon
service to its present point of perfec-
ton. While, to be exact, Col Templer
wasn't born in a balloon, yet the
greater part of his life has been
passed in the air. AS boy at Har-
row he was balloonist, and at Cam
bridge he was the only undergradu-
ate who kept balloon. AS lad he
knew all the great aeronauts of Eng
land, and he was one of the first men
in the world to make a descent in a
parachute. While London sleeps-if
great city can be said ever to sleep
he has made more than 100 trips
over the city in free balloons. That
there is some excitement in these
trips can be imagined from the fact
that he once missed hitting the clock
of Westminster tower by only yard,
says the New York Press.
COL Templer wears a lot of war
medals, but these have nothing to do
with the scar across the lower part of
his face. One time as he and a BROTH
er officer were ABOUT to make an as
cent sudden squall struck the bal
loon, just as it began to rise, with
fearful velocity. The balloon was car
ried against the sharp top iron rail
of a gasometer, and all the ropes on
one side of the balloon were cut
through completely. Thus the car
swung sideways and downward.
Templer's companion was thrown out
and killed, and all the loose contents
of the car were thrown out. Col.
Templer was thrown against the iron
rail and his cheek laid open. The bal
loon whirled violently round and
round as it shot upward, and the
tangle of ropes twisted around Tenn
pier, holding him fast as he lay in
the car in faint and drenched in
blood Heavenward the balloon
bounded, until, according to the in
struments that were dashed to the
car, it reached the height of $4,000
feet. When Templer recovered con-
seriousness he was almost choked by
the rarefied air, and, as if this was not
enough, one of the ropes was twisted
around his neck. Releasing himself
from this rope, he painfully and with
great effort managed to climb up to
the valve and let out the gas. This
exertion was too much for him and he
tainted again, and when the balloon
reached the earth he had to be cut
out of the ropes.
Another companion Col. Templer
had with him in an ascent never has
been heard from since the day they
started up together. He was mem
Der of parliament named Powell, and
for an amateur he was an able
aeronaut. In big and powerful bal
loon they were thousands of feet in
the air. when they came in sight of
Weymouth and the sea. Powell point
ed out mansion of friend whom
thy intended to drop in" upon and
see. Templer prepared for a rapid
descent, for the sea was alarTingly
near. The balloon descended at great
speed, and the plan was for both to
jump as soon as she touched the
earth. Templer jumped and was
stunned for time, but Powell hest
tated an instant too long. The bal
loon, suddenly relieved of good part
of it's weight, shot upward with Pow
ell in the car, and the airship drove
out to sea. Yachts, specially char
tered steamers and even war vessels
were sent out to look for the runaway
balloon, but not trace of it could be
found. The last glimpse caught of
the balloon it was heading toward.
Spain, though of course upper air cur
rents might have sent it in another
direction. But in remote part OF
the mountains of Spain long time
afterward certain parts of a balloon
gear were found. and that is all that
is known of the fate of Powell.
Until the cars peace conference in
The Hague decided otherwise, Col.
Templer was experimenting on drop
ping powerful explosives from bal
looms. These would tear great holes
IL feet square in the solid earth.
Once one of these explosives burst
under the balloon, and again Templer
hod norrovv aSca pe FROM dealt,