Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-09-03
Spark From Engine |gnteS CaS...BaNoon Co||apses
And Man Falls zoo Feet Before $4,000 Hor.
rified Peop|e'--The Days Events at the Fair.
A FALL TO DEATH.


In the presence of a vast concourse of
$4,000 people at the Central Maine fair
grounds today, the great airship
Boomerang, while at height OF POO
feet in the air took fire from spark
from the gasoline engine at 1,25 p. NJ
and the brave aeronaut Capt
Charles Oliver Jones, was precipitatcl
with his blazing airship to the ground,
receiving d broken collar bone and in
ternal injuries from the effects OF
which he died at P. NJ. The terrible
accident happened under the eyes of
Capt. Jones' wife and 2-year-old child,
who were in the grandstand.
The tragic occurrence took place al
most at the close of a day of tcstivity
and merrymaking. a day that was the
most successful third day Of any q:
the exhibitions that nave been held.
While all who witnessed the tragedy
we're certain that some injury mus"
have befallcn the daring aerial na"i-
gator, yet his fall behind Il fringe OF
trees onto the grounds of the Frank
Chase estate, screened from the cy-',
of the multitude the actual horror Of
the catastrophe, and many believe
that kind Providence had interviewed ~
save the balIoonst from such An &N-
full death 1t was not until evening that
the result of the tragedy beram"
known and then deep indeed was the
gloom that was cast over the fair
The broken and charred remains of
tie Inflated airship will be on eAhi-
biton at the Strobel tent during the
remainder of the week and the pro-
ceeds will he given to the widow ana
children of the deceased.
There had been no ascension since
the very successful ono of Monday af-
ternoor Tuesday the wind blew a gale
that was powerful enough to rip in
two the tents in the agricultural de-
partment. and sailing an airship in
such a gale was out of the question
Wednesday morning the wind had
changed in direction. but was unabat-
ed in force. and even the advertising
kites. which have been flown through
out the week, had a hard time of 1T.
But at few minutes past +; o'clock
Wednesday afternoon the wind died
down to brisk southwest wind.
will there be an ascension this at
ternoon?" asked Waterville newspa
per man Of Capt Jones shortly after
"Stay around a little while and per
haps you may see one" replied Capt
Jones, pleasantly. There isn't wind
enough to keep those kites up-they
are taking them in. now,-and I may
make an ascension
Although the hour was late. Capt
Jones did not wish to disappolnt the
expectant thousands on what might
prove to be the biggest day of the fair;
and accordingly he prepared for the
ptrilous trip that was to be his last
All the usual precautions were TAX
en- by Capt. Jones and his trained as
sistants The machinery was swiftly
but carefully inspected and the great
beg was given severe scrutiny. The
final preparations made. Capt. Jones
stepped to his station on the f1imsy
frame beneath the great, swaying bag
of hydrogen gas. an assistant crahkeo
the gasoline engine. and with n clatter
and whir the fatal trip began.
Slowly, gracefully. with her nose
pointing skyward. the great alrshlp'
whose name. the Boomerang. was
known by aeronauts of two CONT
nents, rose majestically in the air
while the eager thousands cheered and
cheered.
As the airship passed over the
crowded Midway. Capt. Jones was
plainly seen to wave his handkerchief
in acknowledgement of the plaudits OF
the spectators He steered the a!rshlp
In a northeasterly direction. directly
over the eastern end of the ErandStand.
rising a little in order to clear it COM
Continued on Page Twelve)