The Mena weekly star., 1908-10-15
IA VERY CLOSE GALL
AMERICAN AERoNAuTs HAVE A THRILLING EXPERIENCE IN
 INTERNATIONAL RACE.
TWO MEN FALL 4,OOo FEET 1T BERLIN
American Balloon Bursts at High AL ttude, but Formed Parachute, Saving Lives of Acronauts--Twen ty-three Balloons in Race--Aero- nauts Were Not Seriously Injured.

Berlin, Oct. 13.-The international from the suburb of Schmargenborg was the occasion of a thrilling acci- dent, 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 min utes after the start, burst at an alti- tude of 1000 feet For 1000 feet it shot down like a bullet and then the torn silk bag assumed the shape of a parachute thus checking the rapidity of the descent. Coming close to the earth. however, the basket smashed into the roof of a house, but the two men escaped with but slight injuries
 The race, in which 23 balloons par, ticipated, representing Great Britain, France, Germany, the United States, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium and Spain, started at three o'clock Sunday after noon in the presence of at least S0- 900 spectators. The sun shone bril- liant and the heat was that of sum- mer. Amid the strains of America and volleys of cheers. the first bal loon was sent away. It was the America H." under command of James c. Mccoy, who was accom- panied by Lieutenant Voghmann. The balloon was decorated with the stars and stripes, and it sailed away to the southeast at rapid pace, the aero nauts waving their hats.
 A representative of each of the oth- CT nations followed the American bal loon in succession at intervals of two minutes, the national hymn of the re- spective countries ringing forth as the ropes were cast loose.
 The second batch of eight balloons was led by Forbes, in the "Conqueror," which was started with some difii- culty owing to gusty wind and too much ballast But eventually 1t shot upward and reached high altitude in an incredibly short time. the basket swaying violently. Then almost in- stantly cry of horror aros from the crowd, who saw the silk collapse and shouted "The balloon is ripping up"
 Thousands who had gathered stood for moment petrified. Some turned away, fainting as they saw the bal loon falling with lightning-like ra- pidity At the same time showers of sand and appurtenances of the bal loon shot downward with equal ra- pidity and then daylight was seen through the envelope. great ragged edges of the silk showing on either side.
 They are killed" went in a hushed whisper through the crowd, but short ly the remainder of the envelope ap- peared to take. first a 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.
 It came down slower and slower. meanwhile being swept by the wind far to the southeast, and finally dis appeared from view behind block of. houses The suspense among the crowd was terrible. But few min utes later a telephone message was received from Friedenau which an- nounced that the men had landed and had not been seriously injured. A great sigh of relief went up among the people who threw their hats in the air for joy The other balloons were sent up after a brief delay without further accident