Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-09-05
A NERNY BALLOONIST
SHE WILLINGLY RlSKED HER OWN
LIFE TO SAVE OTHERS.
How n PIucky Woman by Prompt
Action md ~ Feat of Great Daring
Aycrted ~ Panic Among Twenty
Eve Thousand Sightscers.


Aycrted Panic Among Twenty
Eve Thousand SiRhtseers.
Writing Of the adventurous career of
the balloonist Cleveland Moffctt tells in
81. Nicholas of daring deed performed
by Nine. Carlotta Myers, wife of the
noted balloonist. Professor Carl Myers Of
Frankfort, y. y.
Some years ago Mt Ottawa she made
IN ascension never forgotten by the peo-
pie of that city. 1t was a gala occasion
in honor Of Queen Nictora's gift of the
Crystal palace to her loyal subjects, and
Canada had rarely seen such n gather
ing twenty-five thousand people, MS
was estimated, were packed inside the
exposition grounds to see the famous
acronaut rise to the clouds.
And there at the appointed time stood
Carotta on raised platform, with the
multitude about her, waiting for the
balloon. She wore a short skirt over a
gymnasium suit and made an attractive
picture with her fine figure and golden
bronze hair. So thought various city
dignitarics who chattcd with her ad
! mringly while the crowd surgcd about
them.
Meantime Professor Myers was anX-
iously watching the mancuvers of some
Indians hired by committee to tow the
balloon from the gas works, two miles
distant where it had been filled. This
was rather against the professors juds-
mcnt, for the Rideau river flowing by
the grounds, offered an obstacle that
could be overcome only by the help of
canoes and toWlincS, and to paddle n big
balloon across a rivera fresh filled,
hard Juggling balloon-is not thing to
be undertaken lightly.
And in spite of all her skill these In
dams found themselves presently lifted
into the air canoes and all (oh, they were
badly frightened lndanSD, not quite clear
of the water. but high enough to make it
doubtful if they would ever reach shore,
and highly interesting to the crowd which
pressed down to the river even into the
river, in we'll meant efforts TO help, and
dragged the balloon up the bank and
along toward the platform with such
cagcrncss that they tore great rents in it
that let ont the gas in volumes.
IN an instant. as happens in crowds.
the balloon became the center Of a strug-
Cling mass of people, who slowly pressed
in from all sides to see what the matter
was. Now, when $4,000 people are all
pressing slowly toward one point it is
apt to fare i'll with those at that point,
and then had not Carlotta acted on
flash of inspiration there would surely
have been disaster in that merciless
crush
She looked over the shouting, swayine
multitude ana in second saw the dan
gcr-saw women hcll helpless and faint
iu- in that jam Of bodies; saw one way.
and only one, to save the situation, and
took that way. Stepping off the platform,
She ran lightly and swiftly over heads
and shoulders packed solid and came to
the balloon. Such was the peoples fright
that they scarcely felt her pass.
You can't 20 up" cried her husband.
1.-THE balloon is wreck"
II must go up" she answered. "If |
don't, these people will be crushed to
death"
"There's hole in her big enough to
drive a team through" he protested; but
already she was in the basket and a cheer
arose.
It's better to risk one life than many
she answered with decision and, turning
TO the crowd, motioned them to loose the
car. In their wonder the mad multitude
forgot their fear, and the struggling
quoted. All eyes were now on the bal
loon. One Woman's courage had qucIled
the panic. The danger to the crowd was
past to the woman just beginning.
"Wait a moment" shouted Professor
Myers. you must have more ballast"
But in the din of voices She misunder-
stood him and cast ont Il bag Of ballast
And with great hoayc and a Tapping OF
its torn sides the balloon wrcnchcd itself
free and shot upward, a cripple soaring
with its last strength.
Up and up it went, higher and higher