Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1909-10-28
4 PIONEER kEReAAu7
The Brave and Daring French
man PiIatre de Rozier.
TRAGIC END or HIS CAREER.

Ne Was the First Asrenaut 10 Les
His Life From . Balloon, end VI
Was Dashed TO Death With . Gem
PsnieH From . Height Of LOO Feet
Jean Francois PiIatre de Rcxicr. VIII,
was born at Metz In 1855 ard who wal
killed. a martyr TO his zeal. by a fal
from his balloon at Boulognc. France
June 10, 1906. was the frst erona
TO lose his life In the dangerous wori
Of mastering the air.
Pilatrc de Roxier. who had mad,
ascents In the MontgslAer balloon. de
termined 20 solve the question Of bal
looms as mediums for carrying passcn
gers and could think aud dream Of
nothing but how he could fashion q
machine that would carry him on an
aerial voyage. When his balloon wal
finished he made some twenty-thres
ascents. nearly always nlonc. but coca
slonaily accompanied by the Marquis
d'Arlandcs. a brave soldier and one
who had faith In Pilatre's IDEAS. The
balloon was always held captive by
strong cords.
Whenever he went up there was a
crowd 10 watch him, One day there
was n thrilling moment. The balloon
4 drifted toward some high trees. and Il
seemed inevitable that the tissues
would Ike torn by the branches and
rilatre dashed TO the ground. They
saw the young man calmly throw a
bunch OF straw on his fire aud quickly
pour owe a two small bottles Of oil.
Instantly the fierce heat sent the bal
loon up safely. and II swept beyond
the danger line OF the trees. A mighty
shout went up from the crowd. and
when he came down Pilatrc had an
ovation.
He now felt ready TO make his
grand experimental trial trip. but the
king would not allow him TO 20. as he
feared 10 lose so brave and scientific
a M rilatrr was In despair. aud nj
length the king said that he would
give him the opportunity to test the
safety Of his balloon In the following
way, He would give full pardon TO any
two criminals who were willing 10 go
up In II. provided Pilatrc did not him
self 20.
The scientist was very angry. lie
said: "wbai. Shall vile criminals. foul
muiderers. men rejected from the hos.
ON OF society. have the glory OF being
the first TO navigate the air; Never
while Pilatre de hoxier draws breath"
After repeated prayers for permits
sion TO make his experiment he APP
pealcd 10 the influence Of the Duchess
de Polignac. the governess. Of the royal
children. To her petitions the Mar
quis d'Arlandes added his and asked
10 be allowed TO accompany Pllafre.
At length consent was obtained.
On Nov. 81. 1888. PLATTE and the
marquis made an ascent from the gar
dens OF the Chateau de 10 Muette. IN
the Bots. They sailed safely across the
Seine. over the Hospital For Old Sol
diers. owe the Military school and
about Eve miles from Paris.
Their return was greeted with wild
The marquis rode back. but pilatre
had TO 70 first 10 his house and get a
coat. for some q had stolen his In
The mixup OF their coming down. when
balloon. OF course collapsed.
Pilatre now announced that he would
the channel from Boulogne "a
England. A wealthy F~renchman nd.
the money TO construct an i'm.
proved machine that he was certain
'ould stay In the air as long ms neccs-
This new invention was n bal.
Don filled With hydrogen gas. Under
{ was a cylinder by which be expected
o rarely the air contained In Il so that
10 could either ascend or descend cas-
~ and so reach currents OF air that
would take him IN any desired direc.
ion.
II was Ave months before there came
day suitable for making the aerial
rip. A physician who loved adventure
nd believed In the success OF the OK.
'erimcnt went with him from Bou.
ogne.
They cut the cords that held the bal.
Don at 4 O'Clock 10 the morning. The
scent was majestic. and when NJ n
eight OF 200 feet the balloon swept
nto a current Of air that took Il TO-
the channel. suddenly n cross
urrent swept Il back.
Pilatre FASTENED TO let some cold air
,to the cylinder and In some way
a rent In the balloon. They were
100 feet high. and instantly they
'ere dashed TO the earth. manglcd and
frightfully.
France still remembers his enthusi
site faith In bis scientific efforts. and
J many places are memorials and In
aFtntlnua that ..---.-