Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1908-10-12
FALL TWO THOUSAND FEET
American Aerohauts Have Thrilling
Experience in Berlin.
BALLOON BURSTS IN MIDAIR
Spreads After Drop of
1000 Feet and Fall Is Checked
Neither Man is Seriously
Hurt.

BERLIN, Oct 1.-THE International bal
loon race which started from the suburb
of schmargendorf, was the occasion of a
thrilling accident, two American aeronauts
having a miraculous escape from death
The American balloon Conqueror, 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 a bullet, and then
the aeronauts, with rare presence OF mind,
spread out the parachute, and the rapidity
OF the descent was checked Coming close
to the earth however. the basket smashed
into the roof of house. but the two men
escaped with slight injuries.
The race, in which twenty y-three balloons
narticinated. represented Great Britain,
France, Germany, the United States, Swift
erland, Italy, Belgium and Spain, started
at 2 O'Clock this afternoon In the presence
of at least 5000 spectators. The sun shlhe
was brilliant and the heat was that OF
.,,,,r,.r Amid the strains of America
and volleys Of cheers. the hrst OAi'U an
sent away. It was the -AIlel,0e Al,0'- r. a,as
a.. oor,r,and OF James c. Mccoy VINO vas
a,,ad nv Lieutenant Voghman. Ihe
,l-S,.l',s nos decorated with the stars ana
l.N,.So. "a n sailed away to the southeast
rarid mace, the aeronauts waving
their hats -, ~
A renresentative of each of the other ma
,,ons fo,,owed the American balloon in sue
cesslon at intervals OF two mii'u'es' ~"
,atioral HYMN of the respective countries
ringing forth as the ropes were cast loose
The second batch Of eight balloons was
led by Forbes, in the "Conqueror' "hiei
was started with some difficulty owing to
a gustv wind and too much ballast. But
eventually Il shot up and reached a high
the basket swaying violently. Then almost
the basket swaying violently. Then almost
instantly a cry of horror arose from the
crowd. who saw the silk collapse and
shouted. "the balloon is ripping up.
Thousands who had gathered there stood
for a moment petrified Some turned away,
faintIng as they saw the ballon falling
with lightning Ike rapidity, 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 hushed
whisper through the crowd, but shortly
the remainder OF the envelope appeared TO
take, first a triangular shape and then
was transformed into a sort OF parachut'
at the top OF the ret and the progress of
the wrecked balloon was considerably ar
rested.
1t came down slower and slower, mean
while being swept by the wind, far to the
southeast. and finally disappeared from
view behind a block Of houses. The sus-
pense among the crowd was terrible. But
a few minutes later a telephone message
was received from Friedenau which an
nounced that the men had landed and not
been seriously injured. great sigh of
relief went up among the people. who
threw their hats I'm the air for Joy. The
other balloons were sent up after a brief
delay without further accident