The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1900-08-23

/ bnlNtu ClultS lNtDuDllt. MuuN VI
! the communications are sent by per-
! sons giving fictitious names, the cor
respondents i'm some instances explain
! ing that they do not care to have their
/ identity disclose because it would
subject them TO the rldicule of their
| friends if the War Department re-
jected their plans. Hardly letter
reacTies the Signal Office which does
not contain the clause do not let the
newspapers learn of this" The letters
contain widely different ideas. but the
greater number pertain to air ships
and war balloons. So many letters are
received on these subjects that Il clerk
has been designated Balloon clerk"
Probably the most absurd idea con
cerning aerial navigation was recently
received in a communication accompan-
led by beautifully executed drawings.
The first drawing represented an eagle
soaring in the clouds and carrying n
lamb in it's claws Then followed Il
picture of two eagles fastened together
and carrying a full grown sheep. I'm
der the second picture was written,
''lf the first is possible. why not thisT"
Then followed four eagles fastened to-
gether carrying Il basket far above the
clouds. The last and largest picture
represented the climax of the scheme.
On this could he seen twenty-five eagles
fastened by small cords to Il car con-
tanning Il man. who was calmly driv-
in the great birds among the clouds,
while he casually dropped chunks of
dynamite on the Boxers" below.
The letter from this genius says:
"Nature furnishes this dying machine.
1t Is very easy to raise the eagles for
the purpose and they can be trained
easily. My last picture shows that
the twenty-five eagles, plus the tracta-
bllity shown in falconry, plus my eX-
perlments, equal practicability."
Countless are the suggestions for pro
pelllng balloons by means of n bicycle
gear one inventor has device, con
slsting of Il balloon covered with pro-
pellers. for the purpose" he explains,
''of making the balloon go wherever
you want it to and to prevent its turn
ing over in wind" Another drawing
verted umbrella fastened to the bal
loon, (which" says the inventor, will
prevent the thing going up too fast.
! This is the trouble with all balloons"
| For this General Greedy thanked the
inventor most politely.
One elaborate drawing. accompanied
by what was designated working
model made of wood represents
three great cylinders, which are
| to be filled with gas and are made to
float horizontally in the air. From
these cylinders is suspended small
car, equipped with ordinary boat oar
locks. The inventor explained in his
! letter: This perfect machine does not
necessltate any other motive power
than the ordinary light oars which are
used in boats. They are used on air
instead Of water. BY this means the
ship can be guided or propelled any
where. You have no idea what hold
! you can get on the air with II large
oar. You can give it real hard
crack" ..
Another inventor has made an air
ship which is fitted with wagon wheels
to be used in case the ship meets with
an accident and falls to the earth. In
such an emergency the ship is intend
ed to run on the ground. A similar
idea was suggested in Il drawing re-
celved showing II balloon cdrrying n
car which was made in the form of q
boat This was thought to be very
useful by the inventor, as it obviated
all danger of the aerial navigator be-
ing drowned if he should by mishap
drop into the sea. The propeller blades
were so arranged that when the craft
struck the water they converted II into
sidewheeler boat. Very appropriate.
ly the inventor called this the Sea
Scout"
One aspirant for fame admitted an
idea which he termed his 'balloon
feet" This was composed of twenty
or thirty balloons carrying nitro -glycer-
inc. On each balloon was placed n
time fuse so arranged that the eX-
ploslon would occur directly over the
enemy. The inventor wrote an en-
thusiastic note to accompany his
model, in which he said he was certain
that the plan was practical, las 1t was
only necessary 10 turn loose sufli-
clent number of balloons. Some OF
them are bound t. drop on the Box
ers." The writer closed by stating: II
will be glad TO furnish quotations fol
large or small lots"
An inventor from n Western State
suggests the making Of an air ship, tc
be propelled by an electric motor, the
power to be furnished by n dynamo 10
Gated ON the ground. TO quote from
the original letter: "It would be al
easy matter for the allies to start an
alrshlp when they meet the Boxers
The wire supplying the current coult
be dragged behind, as II is so light II
would not Interfere with the progress
of the ship. If tho ship cannot be
propelled by electricity, q gus engine