New-York tribune., 1907-11-27
SEVEN ON BALLOON TRIP
The Al america Goes 125 DIIss
from Pittsfeld.

Concord. n. H, Nov 26-An immense bal
loon. the All America. carrying seven persons
made successful trip to-day from Pittsfed
Mass. to Canterbury. n. H. near this city oue
of the longest journeys ever accomplished IN
New England. Piloted by Leo Stevens. OF New
York. the balloon started at IL m. Mr. Ste.
vens hoped to pilot the big bag due east toward
Boston, but as has been the case IN majority
of the fifteen ascensions which have been made
from Pittsfeld. the winds blew from the south
west Though he drove the balloon to an alti-
tude of two miles. Mr.. Stevens said that he was
unable to get into any current which would
take him to the eastward. He then dropped to-
within two or three thousand feet OF the earth
and. with the light winds. drifted slowly over
the Berkshire Hills. across the mountains Of
Southern Vermont up the Connecticut Valley
for a way and then across the south central
portion Of New Hampshire. enecting a success
full landing in a field at Canterbury. nine miles
northeast Of Concord. at 4:3O o'clock.
Mr.. stevens said that they had encountered
snow throughout the voyage. but that the fall
did not affect the trip except as 1t hid the view
of the country below The distance covered
from Pittsfeld to Canterbury. the crow flies
is about l25 miles. though shifts OF the wind
made the voyage considerably longer than this
straight line distance. Despite the snowstorrn
and the diversion in its course the aerial car
made the journey in quicker time than II could
have been made by ordinary railway conneo-
tions
Not the least interesting feature OF the voyage
was that a majority OF those who were in the
car had their first experience above the clouds
and their stories landing safely were full Of
enthusiasm for the sport. Mr.. Stevens's guests
were ]. D. Larkin. jr.. OF Buffalo; Leroy III. Tay
Ior. F. H White and A. Holland Forbes. OF New
nd II an1 oS
Cleveland. While Mr.. Stevens has record Of
more than a thousand flights. the only members
Of his party who had been up in a balloon wers
Mr.. Forbes and Mr.. White.
The flight OF the balloon was reported from
almost every town over which IL sailed despite
the fact that the car was kept at great alti-
tude and the weather was generally cloudy
The villagers at Lempster. N H, saw the big
bag passing over Lempster Mountain. and held
their breath. they said. fearing that the bas-
ket would strike the summit OF the big hill
for the car appeared from the village to be dan
gerously low down.
The balloon landed In an open field about =
mile and half south of Canterbury Centre A
party of men at work in the field OF John
Snyder's farm had the car lowering itself.
and rushing TO the drag ropes, they caught
hold and pulled the basket safely to the ground.
Mr.. White enthusiastically described the voy-
age as the most successful in his experience
This was his third balloon trip. the first being
at Washington and the second the recent ascen-
sion at North Adams Mass. The occupants OF
the car were in almost constant communication
with the people below by means OF ulegaphona
but could not distinguish the replies
AT one place" said Mr. White over tha
Claremont branch of the Boston & Maine Rail
road. we had exciting race with a freight
train We raced along for several miles and
beat the train handily. We derived a great deal
of pleasure seeing reflection in the lakes
and ponds. The reflection looked like a tiny TOW
balloon. So small did we look to the farmers
that they were astonished when they found thar
the balloon contained seven men We took a
number OF photographs while in the air We
made most magnificent descent"