The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1908-11-26
DOWN IN A BALLOON.
A Perilous Descent in City Streets. W.
X. Morrison of Minneapolis in the Air
ship and Escapes Unhurt

ship ana Escapes UnnufI.
ROCKVILLE, CONN.,, November II. After
soaring to height of 1000 feet, the
Hottest aerial "level' ever attained by a
balloon in this country, and travelling
seventy miles in one hour-a speed which
would test the capabilities of powerful
racing automobile-th balloon "Pitts-
field, in the Heart of the Berkshires," in
which William Van Sleet of the Pitts
field Aero Club, accompanied by VIM. K.
Morrison of Minneapolis, made an ascent
from Pittsfeld at 2. SIS o'clock this after
noon, made a dramatic landing here,
drifting at high speed into the heart of
the city and tearing down electric and fire
alarm wires before it's course was finally
checked in the yard OF Christian Nu-
maker.
BALLOON LOCKED UP.
No sooner had it's occupants stepped
from the basket to the ground than the
balloon was taken into custody by the
chief of police and ANONYMOUSLY locked
up for it's escapade, quite regardless of
its proud exploit in the upper air. 1t will
not be given its liberty until the damage
it did has been squared.
The two aeronauts came through the
landing ordeal unhurt. Mr.. Van Sleet,
who was the pilot, declared that it was
the most exciting trip he had ever made
in balloon. When the great bag began
to fall, he fastened to get his bearings,
and picked out for his landing the open
field Just outside of Rockville. He threw
over his twenty-pound anchor and it
caught in the ground, but so swiftly was
the balloon travelling that the anchor
f1uke broke Then Mr.. Van Sleet pulled
the rip cord, but the balloon had such an
impetus that it kept on for considerable
distance right into the city.
WIRES DOWN IN TRAIL.
A litter of wires marked it's trail as it
swept along. The startling advent of the
monster in the midst of the community
caused general excitement, and fears
were felt for the safety of the two men
in the basket as it bumped and dragged
past posts and trees and scraped against
the corners Of buildings. At last, tear
ing through grape arbors and shrubbery;
it came to stop in the Numaker yard,
where a crowd promptly surrounded it.
In the crowd was Rockville's police
chief, who concluded to "arrest" the
balloon and hold it pending the settle
ment Of the damage it had done to the
city's property Mr.. Van Sleet was per-
mitted to return to his home in Pittsfeld.
Limp and detected, looking quite unlike
the immense shining spheroid which, an
hour before, had gone soaring up into
the sunlight in majestic beauty to break
all altitude records for airboats on this
side Of the water, the balloon was carted
away to the police station.
VAN SLEET TELLS OF 1T.
Describing the eventful run in his air
craft from Pittsfeld to Rockville, Mr..
Van Sleet said that when they cast off
for the ascent, heavy wind was blow
ing. 1t lifted them with graat rapidity
until they were II 1000 feet above earth.
The air was very warm up there and kept
the bag up. The aeronauts felt not the
slightest discomfort. The sensation was
one of exhileration. After sailing for
some time at this height, Mr. Van Sleet
''jockeyed" his balloon to lower level
and ran into current of cold air. After
that the drop was very swift, almost
headlong, and he threw over the edge of
the basket all the ballast on board, which
was not much. Their invasion of Rock
vile, he said, was somewhat alarming
and new experience for him. The land
ing was accomplished at 3.55 O'Clock.