The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1909-11-09
A PIONEER AERONAUT
The Brave and Daring French
man PiIatre de Rozier.
TRAGIC END OF HIS CAREER.

He Was the First Aeronaut to Lose
His Life From a Balloon, and He
Was Dashed to Death With Com
panion From Height of 1,7o0 Feet.
Jean Francois Pilatre de Rozier, who
was born at Metz in 1856 and who was
killed, a martyr to his zeal, by a fall
from his balloon at Boulogne, France,
June Is, 1875, was the first aeronaut
of mastering the air.
Pilatre de Rozier, who had made
ascents In the Montgalfier balloon, de-
termined to solve the question Of bal
looms as mediums for carrying passen-
gers and could think and dream OF
nothing but how he could fashion
machine that would carry him on an
aerial voyage. When his balloon was
finished he made some twenty-three
ascents, nearly always alone, but occa-
sionally accompanied by the Marquis
d'Arlandes, 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 to watch him. One day there
was a thrilling moment. The balloon
drifted toward some high trees, and 1t
seemed inevitable that the tissues
would be torn by the branches and
Pilatre dashed to the ground. They
saw the young man calmly throw
bunch Of straw on his fire aud quickly
pour over 1t two small bottles OF OIL
instantly the fierce heat sent the bal
loon up safely, and it swept beyond
the danger line of the trees. A mighty
shout went up from the crowd, and
when he came down Pilatre had an
ovation.
He now felt ready to make his
grand experimental trial trip, but the
king would not allow him to go, as ne
feared to lose so brave and scientific
a man. Pilatre was In despair, and at
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 to go
up in it. provided Pilatre did not him.
self go.
The scientist was very angry He
said. "Wbat, Shall vile criminals, foul
murderers, men rejected from the Dos
ON of society, have the glory or being
the first to navigate the air? Never
while Pilatre de Rozier draws breath!
After repeated prayers for permis-
sion to make his experiment he ap-
pealed to the influence of the Duchess
de Polignac, the governess of the royal
children. To her petitions the Mar
ouis dArlandes added his and asked
to be allowed to accompany Pilatre.
At length consent was obtained.
On Nov. 81, 1888, Pilatre and the
marquis made an ascent from the gar
dens of the Chateau de la Muette. in
the Bots. They sailed safely across the
Seine. over the Hospital For Old Sol
diers, over the Military school and
landed about FIVE miles from Paris.
Their return was greeted with wild
enthusiasm.
The marquis rode back. but Pilatre
had to go first to his house and get
coat for some one had stolen his In
the mixup Of their coming down, when
the balloon, of course. collapsed.
PiIatre now announced that be would
cross the channel from Boulogne to
England. A wealthy Frenchman ad-
vanced the money to construct an i'm
proved machine that he was certain
could stay in the air as long as neces-
sary. This new invention was bal
loon filed with hydrogen gas. Under
1t was a cylinder by which he expected
to rarely the air contained in it so that
be could either ascend or descend cas-
ily and so reach currents of air that
would take him in any desired direc-
ton.
1t was five months before there came
a day suitable for making the aerial
trip A physician who loved adventure
and believed in the success of the ex-
pertinent went with him from Bou-
logne.
They cut the cords that held the bal
loon at o'clock in the morning. The
ascent was majestic, and when at
height of 200 feet the balloon swept
into a current of air that took 1t to-
ward the channel. Suddenly a cross
current swept 1t back.
Pilatre FASTENED to let some cold air
into the cylinder and in some way
made a rent in the balloon. They were
100 feet high. and instantly they
were dashed to the earth. mangled and
crushed frightfully.
France still remembers his enthusi-
astic faith in his scientific efforts. and
In many places are memorials and in
scriptions that perpetuate his fame