Weekly Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1908-1909, 1908-08-14
AIRSHIP DRIFTS
TOWARD LIKE;
MOTOR Bal KS
CAPT. DALLAS RELEASES GAS AND
MAKES LANDING ON EASI
SIDE LAWN.
SENDS BACK FOR MORE GAS.
Gentle Breeze Carries Craft Eastward
at Rapid Rate and Thousands of
Spectators Hold Breath.
MAKES ASCENSION FROM PARK.

Facing the grave danger of drifting
out over lake Michigan, Capt Jack Dali
las, the aeronaut at Wonderland who
came down town today at noon, pre-
ferred to risk landing near the heart
OF the city to the doubtful fate of a
trip in thick weather across the lake.
When near the Wells building, the
motor baked and after few spasmodic
turns, stopped, leaving the intrepid navi-
gator OF the air at the mercy of the wind
which was blowing toward the lake.
Opens Gas Valve.
Dallas was unable to descend by the
usual means and was obliged to open the
gas valve and descend in that manner
ordinarily he comes down by manipulate
ing the steering gear and is able to
alight almost where he pleases
The ship settled slowly toward the
earth. landing in tree near the corner
of Martin street and WaverIy place.
The wind was light and Dallas managed
to get out of the airshp and TO draw
the craft to the pavement
An immense crowd had gathered and
gave Dallas plenty of assistance The
accident to the machinery was witnessed
Office window and from the streets with
feverish interest in the captains aerial
journey. The airship made excellent
progress from Wonderland. covering the
distance in twenty-five minutes, which
is about equal to the time consumed by
a trolley car. He reached the city hall
at noon just as the whistles were blow
ing. A few minutes later. the motor
baked and the crowd hearing three pis-
tol shots in rapid succession realized
that the man was in trouble and the ex-
element became intense. 1t was feared
that Dallas would be unable to come
down before the ship should drift over
the lake.
At the corner of Waverly place and
Martin street, the captains assistants
managed TO grasp the end of the 50 feet
of rope which dangled from the ship
They pulled it down brushing through a
tree to the lawn of George Douglas.
The ship was taken out INTO the street
and party il an automobile was dis
patched to Wonderland for more gas
to take the place of that which was re-
leased to enable Dallas to descend A
thousand cubic feet were brought in a
bag and was released into the bag sup
porting the airship.
Dallas Tells of His Trip.
"When the engine baked" said Can't
Dallas on touching the ground" / real
lied that it would be necessary to get
down to the ground in the shortest pos
sible order. The wind was blowing to-
ward the lake and after an experience
had in Salt Lake City. where l was
dragged three miles in the water, | did
not want to try it again
Il fred my revolver to let my assist
ants know that | was in trouble and aft
er letting out about a thousand feet of
gas | managed to come down.
This is my fifth ascension in Mil
waukee. On July 4 in Calgary, Canada,
| was caught in tornado and mM ship
was wrecked. / was obliged to get n
new one. This shin is 60 feet long and
the bag is made of the finest Japanese
silk.
''The trouble today was that the needle
valve in the carburetter did not work.
1t needs grinding and has bothered me
all morning. but ! expect TO get into
shane to get back before night.
81 reached height of about 2O0O dur
ing the flight down town. and was in
the air about an hour. II left Won
derIand at 1870 and was circIing the
city hall tower when the whistles blew
/ heard them plainly. 1t was cool MP
there in the air. a good day for q flight
/ encountered IN unfavOrable air cur
rent in coming down town, but | expect
to return in better time. | was about
2G minutes in getting down. I have
made as high as fifty miles an hour in
the shin. In the City of Movicn last
winter | rose to a height Of 5000 feet.
''In circling about in the air, 7 aim TO
find the air current best suited to nv
course. | operate mp and down until I
find this breeze and away | sail. in per-
feet control of the shin Mt all times. If
I hadn't had this engine trouble today
| would have returned TO the park with
out stop. I am able TO land at almost
any place / select without assistance
from the outside through manipulation
Of tbo md blrF with tho ND
in danger of drifting into the lake
chose terra frma. or rather a tree. The
descent was hasty.
'I"va had several strange experiences
in my three wears of this work 50 If
tie mishap like this today never bothers
me. There are some. noticeahlv that
Calgary experience. and the Salt Lake
episode. | would not care to repeat
Dallas was the most cOmnosed of tho
crowd which thrOnged the balloon. Hn
chatted with the curious and exclaimed
the working of the engine again and
again.
Off for wonderland.
An assistant grasped the big two
bladed propeller and the master Of the
craft gave the fywheel another twist
and the big airship started skyward at
an angle of 40 degrees. About 100 feet
in the air. Dallas turned the ship about.
touched his cap to the applauding multi
tude. and was off on the return for Won
derland.
Crowd Applauds.
\ large crowd applauded his efforts,
and cheered excitedly, when the return
trip was started successfully at 1:o1.
Over a thousand people had assembled at
Martin street and Juneau place to assist
in the ascension. The big crowd dis
turbed the assistants, but finally were
pushed away.