The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-10-28
HAWLEY's OWN STORY.
Describes in Detail His Record Break
ing Trip From st. Louis.

ulS 1N1p 81 lOulSs
Quebec. Oct 2S.-Alan R. Hawley'
who, with Augustus Post in the bal
loon America II, won the international
race and established new worlds
distance record. describes the remark
able flight from st. Louis in a graphic
manner. His story follows:
THE balloon America II left St.
Louis October II at GAS O'Clock in
the evening, prepared to stay the limit
in the international trophy. Before
the start 1 had conference with Ma
jor Hersey as regards weather cOndi-
tions and his advice was followed
throughout the trip. He said we were
on the outer wheel of a high barome-
ter with a low following, and that if
we kept close to the ground that
(Monday) night we would go north,
possibly a trife west of north. switch
Ing in the morning toward the north
east and then to the east. His advice
was remarkably correct. as the trip
showed.
I'VE made a nice start and estab-
lshed an equilibrium a few hundred
feet above the ground on one and
half bags of ballast. We were carried
along at the rate of about fifteen miles
an hour until we struck the bottom
lands along the Mississippi river,
where we were held for some time.
Getting over this. we still held our low
position, and Tuesday morning ap-
preached Lake Michigan between Mil
After describing the drift of the
balloon over Lake Michigan, Mr.. HaW-
ley says they were much interested in
seeing a steamer set out from shore
and follow them some distance ami
then turn back BY Tuesday night they
had passed Lake Nipissing, and the
balloon was in first class condition.
Continuing, he says:
THE next communication we had
with the ground was Wednesday morn
to- hot Cd Ir5y,, I1,,v.
and were told that we We're heading
direct into the wilderness. But feeling
sure that the higher currents would
carry US east, we did not hesitate 10
continue. We were travelling north IF
east still
Nothing but woods and lakes and
rivers hour after hour. We travelled at
great speed at an altitude of from
$1,000 to 10000 feet. In the neighbor-
hood of 5 o'clock Wednesday after
noon we got a glimpse of Lake St.
John, and knew absolutely our posi-
ton. In passing the lake, We realized
that there was a change in our direc-
ton and we were being carried more to
the north. Knowing the currents
would take US still farther north, We
made up our minds that it was suicide
to go further on.
at was surely disappointing to be
compelled to land here, as we had only
the distance record beaten, but a good
ord which is 4Sh hours We had
been up as hours, with the balloon still
in first class condition, with eight so
pound bags of ballast left in the car
and lot of stuff we could have
thrown away. But that storm was
coming on rapidly and threatening to
blow US up north into a country from
which there seemed no chance of get
ting out
I'VE had mental photograph of the
surrounding country and made all
ship-shape to land. We crossed over
what seemed to be a small lake, but
which later proved to be a river The
valve was now wide open, to let ou-
the gas, and we we're descending rapid
~ from an altitude Of about 5000 feet.
We had started down from $4,000 feet.
when the storm gathered.
There was no decent landing place
TO be seen in any direction. There
was nothing to do but to take to the
brush. In about two minutes we struck
the top Of some trees. To ease the
fall. threw out a bag of ballast. We
started up, and I promptly used the
ripping panel letting the gas all escape
with a rush.
I'VE were carried at a terrific speed