The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1908-10-16
BALLOON SPLITS
HIGH IN THE AIR
I've American AeTonauts Fall About
1000 Feet.
SAVED BY THEIR PARACHUTE.
Great Britain, France. Germany, the
United States and Other Nations Re-
presented in Event at Berlin so, coo
People Horrorstricken When the
American Balloon Conqueror Bursts.

presented in Event at Rerlin-SO, coo
People Horroratricken When the
American Balloon Conqueror Bursts.
Berlin f(By Cable) The interna-
tional balloon race, which started
Sunday from the suburbs of SEMINAR
gendorf, was the occasion of thrill
ing accident, two American aero
nauts having narrow escape from
death. The American balloon Con-
queror, the only American built craft
in the contest, having on board A.
Holland Forbes and Augustus Post,
less than two minutes after the
start, burst at an altitude of 1000
feet. For 1000 feet it shot down
like bullet, and then the torn silk
assumed the shape of a parachute.
and the rapidity of the descent was
checked. Coming close to earth,
however, the ~basket smashed into
the roof of house, but the two
men escaped with but slight injuries.
The race in which 23 balloons
participated, representing Great Brit
ian, France, Germany, the United
States, Italy, Belgium and Spain,
started at P. NJ. in the presence
OF at least $4,000 spectators. The
sunshine was brilliant and the heat
was that of summer. Amid the
strains of America and a volley
of cheers, the first balloon was sent
away 1t was the America H., under
command of James c. Mccoy, who
was accompanied by Lieutenant
Voghmann. The balloon was decorat-
ed with the Stars and Stripes, and
1t sailed away to the southeast at
a rapid pace, the aeronauts waving
their hats
A representative of each off the
other nations followed the American
balloon in succession, at intervals of
two minutes, the national hymn of
the respective countries ringing forth
as the ropes were cast loose.
A Cry OF Horror.
The second batch of eight balloons
was led by Forbes, in the Conqueror,
which was started with some diff
Guilty, owing to a gusty wind and too
much ballast. But eventually it shot
up and reached high altitude in an
incredibly short period, the basket
sWaying violently. Then, almost in
stantly, cry of horror arose from
the crowd, who saw the silk collapse
and shouted: 1.-THE balloon is rip
ping up!''
The thousands who had gathered
there stood for moment petrified
Some turned away, fainting, as they
saw the balloon falling with light
nlnglike raTidity. At the same time
showers of sand and appurtenances
OF the balloon shot downward with
equal rapidity and then daylight was
seen through the envelope, great
ragged edges of the silk showing
on either side.
They are killed. went in a hush
ed whisper through the crowd, but
shortly the remainder of the envelope
appeared to take, first, triangular
shape and then was transformed into
a sort OF parachute at the top of the
net and the progress of the wrecked
balloon was considerably arrested
1t came down slower and slower,
meanwhile being swept by the wind,
far to the southeast, and finally dis
appeared from view behind a block
of houses. The suspense among the
crowds was terrible. But a few
minutes later a telephone message
was received from Friedenau, which
announced that the men had landed
and had not been seriously injured.
A sigh of relief went up and people
threw their hats in the air for joy.
The other balloons were sent up,
after brief delay, without further
accident.
Forbes Story.
A. Holland Forbes who appeared
to be little the worse for his ex--
perience except that he was suffering
somewhat from shock, gave a thrill 4
ing account of the accident.
1--WE had some difficulty" he said,
Gin getting away, but once we left
the ground everything seemed right.
We mounted almost perpendicularly
to an altitude of 1000 feet. AS l
,0oFed at the recording instrument
to make a note of the altitude,
neard q peculiar swish and said to
Posi- that sounds dangerous I'm
mediately | saw that the envelope
was rapidly debating, the gas escap-
ing in clouds. Instantly / threw the
appendix clear OF the basket and the
rores, and, drawing my jaclnife, cut
be ropes that were attached to the
SO bags of sand hanging around the
basket.
Post in the meantime threw over
everything portable. We could see,
however, that we were falling more
rapidly than some of the elected
articles. But later, when the descent
os the balloon was checked, we OBJ
served one| bag of sand fall into
baby carriage, which Yves smashed
TO pieces, but, unfortunately, the
nurse snatched out the baby and
saved its life