Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1909-03-24
BALLOON CREW
CHEATS DEATH
BY MIRACLE
SAFE LANDING ON
BLEAK MOUNTAIN TOP
Passengers of Airship Amer
lea, Given Up for Dead Re-
ported Safe in Wilderness
North of Pasadena.
IBy Morning journal Special Leased WlrsI

lBy Morning journal Special Leased WlrsI
Los Angeles, March 23.-After one
Of the most narrowing experiences in
the history of ballooning, Captain A.
L. Mueller and his five companions
who ascended in the big Ferris
balloon America at Tournament
park, Pasadena, at $3.50 last Satur-
day afternoon and have since been
lost in the wilds of the snow covered
Sierra Madre mountains. arrived on
foot at Switzers camp, on the slopes
of Mount Wilson. footsore and weary
but unharmed. The men passed
through a series of hardships, the de-
tails of which have not been learned.
Arriving at Switzers camp at 3 o'clock
the afternoon, the men We're shortly
afterward provided with horses ana
began the descent from there to Pasa-
dent over tortuous and slippery
trail A single telephone wire across
the mountains brought the first word
of their safe arrival at the camp to
the anxious relatives and friends in
Pasadena and to the thousands wait
ing for some tidings of the missing
men. The telephone wire to the
mountain camp shortly failed and but
little additional Information regard
ing their hazardous trip was learned
until the men reached Pasadena late
at night
The balloon was in the air less than
sttn
strong north wind over the mile high
summit of Mount Lowe and swept on
across the intervening peaks and can
vons to the lofty summit Of Mount ia
briel. which, by the reckless casting
away of ballast, the balloon cleared
and scared away towards Strawberry
peHk, on the third range" Gfosstaa
this at low altitude, the bag en-
countered strong current of cold arr
which brought it rapidly to earth a
successful landing WAS effected on
the north side Of strawberry peak, in
what is known as Little Tcjuuga cam
Won at about o'clock Saturday att
crnoon, less than two hours after Their
ascension at Pasadena The distance
covered was less than Fifteen mics IN
n direct line. but by any possible loot
route many times that distance
Tho voyagers uncertain of their
bearings and with darkness rapidly
wandered aimlessly over
the mountains until 1880 the follow
ing afternoon (Suuday) when they
came to Colby's ranch
an isolated habitation far from any
road and without communication with
tho outside world In the meantime
a terrific wind and snow storm had
broke over the mountains. which for
many hours ragged yeritable biz
zard. During this time. the men sur
fored from tho cold, but the mcager
supply of provisions which they car
ried with them was sufficient to guar.
antec against hunger until thelr ar
riNed at the ranch.
lkt Colby's the party renamed uh-
til -thc middle of Monday afternoon
whom the storm ceased. They imme-
diately took up the snow choked trans
across the fhountains toward Pasa'
dena All Or the remainder OF the
time the party Travelled as best theY
could until this afternoon when they
suddenly came upon Switzers camp
nesting in the side of the moutnian,
sim nearly ten miles from Pasadena
Inv direct route. \ party of rescuers
on horseback were at Switzers' nav
ing lust returned after twenty hours
of search for the missing men. For
a few minutes there was happy re-
union Of friends and then the news
was flashed 70 Pasadena.
Not in years has an event cerated
such a stir here as this thrilllne
episode of the balloonists. For three
daVs searching parties have secured
the country in all directions while
relatives and friends waited almost
without hope for the news ol
tragedy.
with Captain Mueller in the Ann
erica" were L. Il. Gillian kichara
Halstead. sydney Gray. Harold Par-
ker and Edward Dodschutz. all resi-
dents Of Pasadena.
The six men are now on their way
from Switzers camp to Pasadena on
horseback It is about five or SIX
hours ride. The balloon landed on
the slope of strawberry mountain
saturday evening and the men have
haen since that time making their way
10 tho camp They suffered great
but all are safe.
News of the arrival Of the men at
the camp was telcphoned 10 fasa-
dcna. hut the mountain wire was
working so badly that nothing further
than the mere fact Of their arrival
could be CLEANED from there. s"itN-
ers camp is located some twelve or
fifteen miles from Pasadena To tne
northwest \ tortuous moutnain rall
which leads 10 the camp is now block
cd with snow
The party arrived at the toot OF
A mountain trail where friends
awaited them az $50 o'clock this eve
ming They stopped here just long
enough to be- greeted by those VINO
had conducted the long search for
,bsn, ana then hurried on 90 Pasa-
dena.
Captain Mueller summarized ms
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