Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1906-04-26
Daring Aeronaut Dies in Swamp
After Long Night of Agony

1t was probably not intended to con-
vey the significance that the remark
now takes on. He had had long ex-
perience as an aeronaut and the spe-
cific purpose of his ascension was to
experiment with air currents in this
vicinity and demonstrate his own abil.
ity to remain in balloon safely over
New York
He secuted all talk Of danger and
had arranged to write scientific ar
ticle on his trip which Miss Mary
Montgomery. of 1i7 East Thirtieth
street, New York, was to translate
into English. At her suggestion he
took with him a photograph camera,
with which he was to take pictures
while the light held out, for the pur.
pose of illustrating his forthcoming ar
ticles.
Scouts Idea Of Danger
"Danger!" he exclaimed, when pre-
pairing for the ASCENSION "why. there
is no danger in ballooning. There are
no other balloons to collide with and
nobody to run over. Remember that
We builOOllnlo arc llOl lIt DdIH6y Olp
fields of the auto track"
When the news of his death reached
the Aero Club, one OF Nocquet's
friends said:
"If he had only stuck to his balloonl
He was right so far as safety in the
balloon is concerned. His mistake was
made after he landed. His skill in
bringing the balloon down on the edge
of the Atlantic was wonderful. But at
that point he seems to have lost all
his skill. He should have stuck to his
car, or gone to the life saving station
and remained there overnight"
Makes Ascension in Evening.
Nocquet made an ascension from
the foot of One Hundred and Thirty
eighth street and the Harlem river
New York, at o'clock at night and
was carried across Long Island Sound
to Long Island and thence straight
down over the island.
When last seen, just as darkness
fell, he was one thousand feet above
the earth, passing over Hicksville and
rapidly discharging ballast and rising
higher in his flight.
Made Many Daring Attempts.
Paul Nocquet made many daringly
successful attempts at aerial naviga.
ton. 1t is not as an aeronaut alone
that Nocquet has attained distinction
however. He is almost equally well
known as an author, sculptor and an
artist. Wide attention recently was
attracted to his work as a sculptor by
bronze figure of President Roosevelt
entitled "a Presidential Vacation
This figure represents the President
dragging a bear by the ear, while II
his right hand he holds aloft a cub
Comment upon the figure was carried
but the efforts of the artist pleased
the President, who sent him compli
mentary letter
Was Born In 1877.
Nocquet was born in Brussels II
1877 and at the age of fourteen studied
painting under Jean Portaels. Soor
afterward he turned to sculpture anC
at the age of 20 won the grand priz,
Of Belgium, which gave him a three
year fellowship in Paris. In Paris HI
also became interested in aeronautic'
and before he came to this country hi
was considered one of the most daring
members of the Aero club of France
Two years ago he planned to cross
the Atlantic ocean in a balloon, bu
was deferred by friends
Among Nocquets well-known works
in sculpture are Effort" and Foot
ball Players" which have been pre-
sented to Columbia University. He
was awarded third prize for bronze
door for the naval academy at Annap
oils.