Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-05-13
.AERONAUTs ARE HURLED
FROM MAMMOTH BALLOON
Forbes, Holder of Lahm Tro-
ply, and Astronomer Yates,
Discovered Unconscious
CBy Associated Press.)


- GLASGOW, KY, May IA. Holland
Forbes and ]. c. Yates, who were in
jured yesterday in the fall of their bal
loon, the Viking, recovered conscious
ness about IL o'clock this morning, and
Mr.. Forbes was able to tell briefly his
adventures of yesterday. Mr.. Yates Is
In a serious condition, and physicians de-
cline TO permit him to talk.
Mr.. Rorbes says he had lost control of
the balloon during the afternoon AMI
seeing a favorable position pulled the
rip-cord to effect a landing. He gave l.
too much of tug, it appears, and the
entire side of the balloon from near the
apex was ripped open.
BALLOON FALLS FAST.
The balloon therefore descended with
great rapidity. Mr.. Forbes dictated a few
kilograms to be sent to friends and rela-
tives and asid he would probably make
a full statement tonight or tomorrow. The
men are being we'll cared for at the
home of Tilden Boston, a farmer, enar
Center, Ky.
Bearing numerous cuts and bruises
and possibly internal injuries, and
and with only occasional periods
of any approach to consciousness,
A. Holland Forbes, Of New York,
Gates, astronomer, VINO accompanied
him in a flight aginst the balloon dis
lance record, are lying in a farm house,
six miles north of Center, which is about
20 miles from this city. The Viking
is a mass Of tangled silk and cord, torn
beyond repair.
During the intervals VIII en- the aero
nauts were partially conscious neither
of them could explain the accident yes
terday, but it is believed that was escap-
ing from the big bag caused them 70
lose control of the Viking and that the
gap enlarged until the drop followed.
FARMERS SIGHT BALLOON.
The balloon was first sighted south of
center about 4 o'clock yesterday after
noon. Tl:ose who saw 1t could discern
no passengers and realized that some
thing was wrong. 1t was going at the
rate of about five miles an hour. AS 1t
moved over Center and to the north 1t
appeared to be settling towards the
ground, when suddenly the bag collaps-
ed and the dash to the earth followed.
Shortly after o'clock farmers reach
ed the spot in field where the bal
loon had fallen. They freed the two ap-
parently lifeless bodies and carried them
to the nearest farm house where restora-
tives were administered.
1t was not until several hours later
that Forbes showed signs Of returning
TO consciousness. and he rallied only for
a few minutes at a time. He seemed to
have no knowledge of what had happen
ed. Yates was reused also for few mo-
ments but like Forbes was unable to give
any DEATHS.
No effort was made to ascertain exact
" the injuries OF either Of the men last
night
FLEW OVER STATES
Forbes, during conscious moments,
made disconnected statements declaring
that the balloon had passed over por-
tons of Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee and
Kentucky. He said they were over Illi-
nois yesterday morning. He failed to
say what happened to the balloon, but
an incoherent statement about a leakage
of gasoline furnished a plausible clue.
His statements about the gas caused
some of the country people who heard
about them to declare that the aeronnuts
had been overcome by escaping gas from
the balloon, but the superstition was
hardly borne out by anything Mr. Forbes
said.
What appears certain is that control Of
the balloon was lost in some manner,
and that II drifted until its buoyance
was so far spent that a gust of wind
or a sudden loss of gas sent 1t down
ward with great Tforce.