The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1908-10-15
BALLOON SPLITS = y
HIGH IN THE AIR
Two American ksrOnauts Fall About
1000 Feet.
SAVED BY THEIR PARACHUTE.
Great Britain, France, Germany, tho
United States and Other Nations Re-
presented in Event at Berlin-SO, 600
People Horrorstricken Whom the
American Balloon Conqueror Bursts.

People Horrorstricken Whom the
American Balloon Conqueror Bursts.
Berlin (By Cable) The interna-
tional balloon race, which started
Sunday from the suburbs of SEMINAR
gendorf was the occasion OF thrill
ing accident, two American aero
nauts having a narrow escape from
death. The American balloon Con-
queror. 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 torn silk
assumed the shape of a parachute,
and the rapidity of the descent was
checked. Coming close to 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
participated, representing Great Brit
ian, France, Germany, the United
States, Italy, Belgium and Spain,
started at 3 p. NJ. in the presence
Of at least $4,000 spectators. The
sunshine was brilliant and the heat
was that of summer. Amid the
strains of America" and a volley
Of cheers, the first balloon was sent
away. It was the America H., under
command of James c. Mccoy, who
was accompanied by Lieutenant
Voghmann. The balloon was decorat-
ed with the stars and Stripes, and
It sailed away to the southeast at
rapid pace, the aeronauts waving
their hats.
A representative OF each of the
other nations followed the American
balloon in succession, at intervals OF
two minutes. the national hymn of
/ the respective countries ringing forth
ss the ropes were cast loose.
A Cry OF Horror.
! The second batch of eight balloons
was led by Forbes, in the Conqueror,
which was started with some diff
/ Guilty, owing to a gusty wind and too
much ballast. But eventually it shot
up and reached a high altitude in an
/ incredibly short period, the basket
I swaying violently. Then, almost in
I 1f, Op
/ the crowd, who saw the silk collapse
and shouted: THE balloon is rip
| ping up!"
/ The thousands who had gathered
/ there stood for a moment petrified.
/ Some turned away, fainting, as they
saw the balloon falling with light
/ ninglike 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 hush
ed 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 parachute at the top. of the
net and the progress of the wrecked
balloon was considerably arrested.
1t came down slower and slower,
meanwhile being swept by the wind,
far 70 the southeast and finally dis
appeared from view behind a block
of houses. The suspense among the
crowds was terrible. But a few
minutes later a telephone message
was received from Friedman, which
announced that the men had landed
and had not been seriously injured.
A sigh of relief went up and people
threw their hats in the air for Joy.
The other balloons we're sent up
after a brief delay, without further
accident.
Forbes Story.
A. Holland Forbes who appeared
to be little the worse for his ex--
perience except that he was suffering
somewhat from shock. gave a thrill
ing account of the accident.
I'VE had some difficulty" he said
ain getting away, but once we left
the ground everything seemed right
We mounted almost perpendicularly
TO an altitude Of 1000 feet As
to make note OF the altitude,
heard a peculiar swish and said tC
Post that sounds dangerous. I'm
mediately I saw that the envelope
was rapidly debating, the gas escap
ing in clouds. Instantly / threw tho
appendix clear OF the basket and the
ropes, and, drawing my jacknife, Gu
the ropes that were attached TO the
70 bags Of sand hanging around thu
basket.
post in the meantime threw owe
everything portable. We could see
however, that we were falling mori
rapidly than some of the eiecte,
articles. But later, when the descen
of the balloon was checked. we oh
served one bag OF sand fall into
baby carriage, which was SMASHED
to pieces, but. unfortunately, tn
nurse snatched out the baby ant
saved it's life"