Cañon City record., 1907-10-31
its gentle radiance over mild, beauti-
Lahm's Predicament

it's gentle radiance over a mild, beauti-
full night.
Lahm's Predicament
Each of the sixteen pilots had an as
sistant with him. so that there were
two men in each basket, the sixteen
aids being amateurs, for the most part,
although several professionals or semi
professionals. In Lahm's case this
matter of an assistant very nearly
caused serious trouble, for at the last
moment, a Frenchman who was to
have accompanied him withdrew,
| leaving the American in grave en-
barrassment. Most fortuntely, Major
Henry B. Hersey of the Rough Riders,
an associate of Walter Wellman, and
just back from their first artic bal
loon expedition, happened to be on the
grounds. Learning of Lahm's predi-
cament, he volunteered on the spot to
fill the emergency. Major Hersey was
not only an American with the best
kind of grit in him, but an expert in all
matters pertaining to wind-currents,
having for years been Connected with
the meteorological service in Wash
ington. If Lieutenant Lahm had
searched Europe over, he could not
have found a better man.
'Will you really go with me?" asked
the lieutenant scarcely believing his
good fortune.
Sure III CO." answered Hersey, "if
you'll let men run across to the Con-
tinental hotel and get my overcoat.'
And, with so much preparation, he
stepped into the basket and calmly
started on the greatest balloon race
the world has thus far known
And now, as the balloons drift away
in their long flights, let us go back
moment and note the singular chance
that brought into the contest this
young army officer, the only American
in the race, upon whose efforts SO
much depended. Who was Lahm? What
was he doing away from his regiment?
How came he to know anything about
ballooning?
Chance Entry of the "United States."
Frank P. Lahm, young man OF
twenty-eight, was an aeronaut by in
heritance. 1t was his father. Frank s.
Lahm, who had taken him on his first
ascension and taught him most of
what he knew. Indeed, it was the elder
Lahm who, being a resident of Paris,
and veteran balloonist, with far more
skill and experience than the son pos
sessed, had originally entered for this
race. Unfortunately, Mr.. Lahm was in
poor health, and had only entered 30
| that some one might represent the
United States. AS a matter of fact, at
that time he and his son were the only
two Americans who could enter, under
the rules OF the Aero Federation; that
is, they were the only two who had
made enough balloon ascensiOns to
qualify as balloon pilots. This, then,
was the situation few weeks before
the race-the elder Lahm not equal to
the strain of a long balloon journey,
the son unable to leave his regiment
in America. and nobody else available.
Then, suddenly, in July, 1906, the
lieutenant was ordered to France for
years work in the famous cavalry
school at Sarhnur. His duties there
were not to begin until early in Octob.
er, at least a week after the race. 1t
seemed providential Here was a
strong young fellow able to take his
fathers place and try for the cup.
What he lacked in experience could be
made up, 1t was hoped. by his fathers 8
teaching. There were two months still
for preparation, and they must make
the most Of them-the very most.
Lahm Begins Training.
They did. 1t Is doubtful II 30 much
OF practical aeronautics was ever
crowded into 80 short time. For
weeks. in Paris. this father and son
talked ballooning. dreamed ballooning,
lived ballooning. Not only did young