Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1905-12-01

illustrators mate Ct Ire trip, ~ eoHy-
sesy Of Tie technical Woyid, Chicago.
last FAR participated IN an experience
that Tor its wonderful phases has never
John Bennett reached for his pipe. hlied
and lighted II, aud then glanced toward re
as N TO ask N I wished 20 hear what ne
had TO divuige. He is very remarkable
man. OF that rare type fast disappearing
For more than half a century he has made
his home I'm the heart Of California maJes-
tie mountains. and like the Poet OF the
Sierras" be wears a flowing patriarchas
beard. and hair 20 match, and Is himself
q student and n poet by nature
I settled myself IN my chair with an op-
prcciativc nod. aud John Bennett began
what Is truly n most remarkable story.
II am TIE. oldest graduate OF Yale IN
this that brought TO the ranch a party
OF scientists from my old university. 1 am
not at liberty 20 name them, Tor they are
coming again 10 try another experiment.
and until that has been made. the whole
thing As q secret % thcirs.It will not do any
harm 20 tell as much as Intend 60, how
''rhey brought with them dirigiile bal
loon. and conhded that they were going 60
make am ascent and study the topography
OF the Sicrras SO as 20 Dc able 20 make an
accurate map ~ the entire range. II didn't
turn out that way however, as yen viii see.
90 In n sort OF superficial way I have al
ways been Interested I'm acrustatics ana
Kindred sciences: and when they asked me
60 accompany them as guide ana compon-
Ion 4 accepted the Invitation with nlaCrity.
We went farther up into the range. and
made camp. They took their machine ont.
and began the work 81 assembling the
parts; aud I want 60 say here that u was as
complete n thing as ever man made. Inere
was everything calculated 20 make the trip
a success AID very appliance 20 prevent ac-
cident It's pretty cold up on top n the
range above timber line. and Arrangements
had been made 90 prevent this condition
from retardiug the experiments The car
or the balloon WAS made Of isinglasS over a
frame OF aluminium. IL was entirely en-
closed, and was heated from an electric
motor, which also propelled the machine.
Hydrogen gas was used as the lifting
power. supplemented by another motor. and
oxygen was manufactured and supplied 20
the occupants 81 the car when the atmos-
pherc became too rarihcd for comfortable
breathing Provisions were stored for the
party-enourh O. last six men n week
and when the ascension was made 10 seemed
that not n thing had been overlooked. All
corts ~ thermometers. haromCters aud Their
mometers were taken along, and every thing
necessary for the proper study OF the con-
eitions that might confront the party after
leaving the earth.
ut was a sparkling morhinr when the
signal was given, and We arose with a
bound and were soon soaring over the tops
or the snowy peaks. Never shall 4 forget
that sight as I rlzod through the sides aud
bottom of the transparent ear. SO bright
was the sunshine tuat we were forced on
draw the groom SIX curtains az some OF The
windows. Wlthln Eve minutes we were
looking down on Coy mountains that were
dropping away FROM us rs a stone drop.
from thc top ~ "a tall building; and ia,
atmosphere had become $50 rnrpreI thar fnt
oxygen tank was opened into the car. ant
the hcatiaE motor was started. Far 90
To- tnc Mret. Wc could see the tiny valley S
nud. stfI farther. cara endless hlne pNuau-|
that marked the Pacific Ocean. Many mer
have cNuitcd ln the view from q balloon
but Few have ever had the experience OF
HHhthh "n Necruelun 20 90 height allow