Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-04-05
Sad Fate of a Balloonist.

Death in the waters of Bsss creek,
small stream winding through the mfa-
dows along the south shore OF Long
Island, ended the daring balloon ascent
Tuesday afternoon of Paul Nocquet,
French sculptor OF note aud an enthusi-
astic amateur aeronaut The body was
found last night on muddy shore OF the
creek where the tide had lett il, and not
a great distance from where NocquePs
collapsed balloon WAS discovered late
Tuesday night by the life savers of
Jones Beach.
The discovery of the body put an end
to a seach by Nocquet's associates Of the
Aero Club of New York.
Nocluet apparently landed 10 safety
with his car, and in lighting his way out
of the meadows in the darkness bad
traversed about two-ffths of the distance
from Jones Beach to Amiiyyille, several
miles. when he died. He had crossed
Is or IA different islands and had swan
or waded through the runlets between
them.
That Nocquet travelled as far as he
did is considered wonderful. He must
have struggled the last mile of the two
be travele under fearful difficulties. He
essayed a trip that few men could pos
sibly complete in daylight.
The valve. controlling ropes of the
balloon when found indicated that the
descent had been started by NOcquet's
action aud that il must have been grad
ual.
When Nocquet started on his flight
Tuesday afternoon the wind was b'owing
out to sea. This meant that unless he
should come down after being up but
short time, having started from the
Bronx, he woulu surely be blown aero 5
Long Island and out over the ocean.
A life-preserver was strapped inside the
basket and the word to let 90 was given.
The balloon in its fight passed over ia
maica, Garden City, Wes,bury, Jericho
and Cold Spring Harbor, then darkness
came aud shut it from view.
What its course was after passing
over Huntington at about S:l5 p. m I,
there is no means oil knowing. Nothing
further was heard of il until its discovery
on Jones Beach was announced yes
terdsy.
Captain Austin, OF the Jones Beach
life.saving station, who found the ba
loon, reported yesterday morning that it
apparently had been dragged along
some distance in the sand Tracks about
the balloon seemed to indicate that the
aeronaut had survived his flight This
fact gave the searchers courage through
out the day
Capt. George Smith, of Amityvillc,
who had joined in the search early ia
the day, located the body last night on
the muddy bank OF Bass creek, and
made it fast toa stake. 1t will be taken
to Amityvile today after having been
viewed by the coroner.
Wide attention was recently attracted 10
| NOcquet's work as a scul ptor by bronze ig
ure of President Roosevelt, entitled "A Presi-
Dental Vacation" This figure represents the
President, dragging the bear by the ear,
while in his right hand he holds aloft cub.
The efforts of the artist pleased the President,
who sent him complimentary letter.
NOcqutt was born in Brussels in 1871 and
studied painting under Jean Portasls. soon
Of erward he turned to sculpture and, at 20,
won the grand prize of Belgium which gave
him three years fellowship in Paris.
New York. April 5 TO determine the ex-
act cause Of death of Paul Nocquet the bal-
loonist, who's body was found on Scott Island
in great South Bay, last night, an autopsy
will be held ct Amityville, l.. l.. this alter
noon. 1t is believed that Nocquet died from
heart trouble, following complete physical
exhaustion and the mental anguish he must
have felt " hen be believed he was being ear
| ried to sea by the big gas-fill balloon.