Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-06-28
WAS A PIONEER AERoNAUT.
The Brave and Daring Frenchman
PiIatre de Rozier.


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, 1895, was the first aeronaut
to lose his life in the dangerous work
of mastering the air.
Pilatre de Rozier, who had made as
cents in the Montgalfier balloon, deter
mined to solve the question of balloons
as mediums for carrying passengers
and could think and dream Of nothing
but how he could fashion a machine
that would carry him on an aerial voy-
age. When his balloon was finished
he made some twenty-three ascents,
nearly always alone. but occasionally
accompanied by the Marquis dArlan-
des, 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 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 a
bunch of straw on his fire and quickly
pour over it 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 he
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
himself go
The scientist was very angry. He
said: What! Shall vile criminals, foul
murderers, men rejected from the bos-
ON of society, have the glory OF 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 Marquis
d'Arlandes 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, III
the Bois. They sailed safely across the
Seine, over the Hospital For Old Sol
diers, over the military school and land
ed about five miles from Paris. Thelr
return was greeted with wild enthu-
siasm.
The marquis rode back. but Pilatre
had to go tlrSt 10 his uOuSc iiu SCI q
coat. for some one had stolen his in
the mixup of their coming down, when
the balloon, of course, collapsed.
Pilatre now announced that he 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 a bal
loon filled with hydrogen gas. Under
it was a cylinder by which he expected
to rarely the air contained in 1t so that
he 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
day suitable for making the aerial
trip. A physician who loved adventure