The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1907-06-21
DEATH PLUNGE.
Balloon Struck by Lightning While
High in the Air.
TO THE EARTH

From a Distance of Thirteen Hum
drcd Fcct.-It Occurred at Tho
Festival Of the italian Constitution
AT Rome, and 100, 900 pcopIc Gaz-
cd i'm Horror as the Basket Fell TO
The Ground.
While King Emmanuel. Queen Hell
cna and 100000 spectators looked
on IN horror. an Italian military bal
loon, manned by Capt. Olivclli. was
struck by a lightning bolt during the
FESTIVAL OF the Italian constitution at
Rome, early last week, and the col
lapsing airship, carrying with it its
load OF human freight, plunged to
the parade ground, almost at the feet
OF the royal pair, mortally wounding
inc occupant, and causing the big
celebration to come to n sudden
close. What promised to be one Of
the most glorious pageants ever at
tempted in connection with this pop
ular festival, was thus halted, King
Emmanucl issuing the decree him
self.
The accident happened about noon.
fhc royal couple had spent the morn
ing reviewing the troops of all arms
OF the garrison of Rome, numbering
10000 men, inauguarating the inter-
national rifle match, which takes
place every five years, and we're en-
gagged in reviewing a parade by cy-
clists when the accident happened.
The sky was the color Of dun lead,
threatening a severe tempest over the
shooting ground. In the air, at the
height of 1900 feet, was a balloon
Of the military engineer corps, man
ned by Olivclli. a well known and
highly esteemed captain Of engineers
Unexpectedly a bolt of lightning
dartcd from the clouds and struck
inc balloon, setting fire to it. A cry
at once arose from the crowd on the
shooting ground, which numbered
fully 100000 persons. The gazing
spectators saw the silk bag burn, and
the framework and the basket fail
toward the earth with a whirling
motion until it struck tho ground,
TIC volunteer cyclists ran in all
haste to the spot and found Olivclle
unconscious, with his, legs entanglod
in h ropes of the basket. A physi-
~ nv bh w NV SIl1t, (AIlllIlGU
The unconscious man and said that
his spinal column had bccn broken.
King Victor Emmanuel and Queen
Helena Witnessed the accident, and
the king at once sent his W auto-
mobile in which The dying man was
placed and taken to The hospital. The
King followed him in another auto-
mobile and went to the bedside Of
OliVclli, who had regaincd consciou-
ness. and the fast sinking nan recog-
| niZcd his sovereign.
The King spoke to him affection
atcly. Two hours after the accident,
Olivclli died and the king Immediate
~ announced that he would attend
no more OF the exercises of the day.
The festival vas at once suspended
and the illumination Of the girandola
was cOuntcrmandcd.
Olivclli's sister Witnessed the acct
dent, but she tainted before the bas-
ket struck the ground The sister
later attempted to see her brother,
but this was not allowed.
The victim Of the accident was 33
years old and leaves a widow whose
grief is understandable. The king lat
er sem II aidc-do-camp to her house
to express his coincidence. The re-
mains Of the unfortunat" man were
later laid to rcSt with an impressive
military funeral, OF which King Em-
manuel and Queen llclcna we're spec
tatOrS.