The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-24
Drops From the Clouds.

anu Ooiiy shepard, probably consti-
tutes a record in long drops
One writes probably" because there
IS always doubt in these cases, ow-
ing to the difficulty in verifying tho
actual attitudes reached by the para
chutists before letting go.
Professor Baldwin. who first popular
lied this highly dangerous species of
exhibition at the Alexandra palace,
London in 1888. made several descents
from attitudes exceeding a mile, but
was prevented by the authorities from
carrying out his intention Of dropping
from q height Of two miles. Later, how
from a height OF 5000 feet. This was
his record, so far as this country Is
concerned.
He soon found emulators though;
several Of whom met with violent
deaths. Thus, an Englishman named
George Higgins, after descending safe
~ several times from attitudes exceed
ing 10000 feet, was eventually killed at
Kirkstall, near Leeds. This happened
on August 8, 1891. A few months later
Miss Van Tassel was similarly dash
ed to death at Dacca; and on May 20,
1908, Miss Edith Brookes. aged %, was
killed near Sheffield.
On the other hand, there have been
chronicled some remarkable escapes OF
nature akin to that experienced by
the Misses May and Shepard. Thus at
known parachutist named Cissie Kent
was carried high above the clouds
through something going wrong with
the test" cord, yet managed to alight
safely In the middle Of the town after
narrowly escaping being impaled on
the spire of All Saints church. Owing
to similar mishap Miss Alma Beau
mont was, at Glasgow, once borne
aIoft to the height OF 12,700 feet, before
being able to let go. Nevertheless. she
suffered no hurt, although 20 minutes
were occupied in the descent.-Pear-
sons Weekly.
Lloyds Turn Down Sheath Gown.
Something has at last been found
on which Lloyds refuses to write q
risk. 1t Is the -directoire. or sheath
gown. Although everybody is willing
one,x and thousands of women are
anxious to wear them, including those
who are afraid, the British concern
will not insure their popularity.
Bloomingdale Brothers sought to
obtain $4,000 insurance against loss
on a consignment Of directoire gowns
They wanted Lloyds to insure the sale
Of certain number by a certain one,
but Lloyds decided the caprices OF
women were beyond them.
at is true" said Isidor Kahn. OF
when tried to get a policy of $4,000
from the agent Of the London Lloyds
against loss on a consignment Of these
sheath skirts, or directoire gowns,
failed to get 1t. We had been after
the insurance for some time, and when
| a decision was finally asked we had
to say we could not place the risk. II
is the first time I ever heard OF
Lloyds turning down any proposition
1t simply shows that an American
firm has found that after all Lloyds
will not insure against everything I'M
der the sun."-New York World.
Whiskers and Politics.
What quantity of hair a man shall
wear on his head and face and how Il
shall be worn are questions of nationa
importance which shall be discussed al
the annual convention of master bar
bers of this state today. 1t Is admit
bers set the styles for the BARRIERS IL
all other sections of the country, no
only in relation to haircuts. but alst
in relations to whiskers.
Plans will be laid to prepare blacl
list of politicians who shave themselve.
and hone their own razors. The TAT
mustache and the Hughes whiskers will
come in for a fair share of discussion
and both styles may be adopted by {
close vote. 1t has been decided definite
1 ly not 10 pGIIDlL the emperor VIII
| of Germany and the change of style o.
| wearing his mustache to influence tht
| judgment of the master BARRIERS here
, They contend this is an all-Americar
| convention, and there are enough style.
| in this country, from Uncle Joe" Can
mons whiskers to John D. Rockefel
| ler's wig, to enable the BARRIERS to maxi
selections which will appeal to the pat
riotic spirit Of Americans. The Bryan
curly tip and the Hearst brush-me fla
-
| list of topics for discussion outlined b.
| the executive committee.-New Yorl
| Press.
| Castro's Palace OF Steel
| President Castro lives in what il
| probably the most remarkable dwelling
place Of any modern ruler. It stand
| within a park at Caracas and is bull
| almost entirely OF steel. The QUITE
| walls are covered with a kind Of sof
stone; so, to look at, there is nothing
| peculiar about the place; but 1t is sail
| to be the strongest house in the world
and it will resist the heaviest gunf1re
| The idea Of a steel palace" occurred
| to the president after he had had ex
perience of one or two earthquakes
\ One night he was awakened by al
earth tremor, and in his fright h.
| jumped out Of window and broke hi
| leg. After that he decided that brick
| and mortar were not safe, hence tn
reason for his metal abode.-Londol
| NJ. A. p.
Think Moles Have No Feeling.
| Boys in the west of England believe
that by squeezing a mole to death be-
| tween the hands and touching the at
| fected parts with the blood that ooze.
| from the mouth of the dying animal
warts will disappear and will not re-
appear. The culprits are convinced
that moles. worms and other subter-
lranean dwellers have no feelings. and
therefore it Is not cruelty to put then
to death In this way.--Indiauapolil