Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-07-11
BIG RACE STARTS
AT KANSAS CITY
CONTINUED From Page ~

1906. He new TO WnttDy, England,
distance OF 415 miles. Last year he
again was an entrant in the race.
That time he sailed the balloon he Is
plotting today, the St. Louis w, $50
miles. Lieut.. Lahm has been long
connected with the army. At present
his duty is that of instructor in aero
nautics at TT. Riley, Kan.
p Truly Clifford b.. Harmon, who has
entered the New York, loves to fly.
His father-in-law, Commodore e., G.
Benedict, is said to have offered him
100000 to quit flying, but Harmon
never seriously considered taking the
bait. Harmon is wealthy In his own
right. He is both balloonist and
aviator.
3 Captain H. E. Honeywell has made
1875 balloon trips, more than any other
entrant. His most noted fight was
from Chicago on July A. 1908, when he
crossed Lake Michigan, Lake Huron
Lake Ontario and Lake Champlain be.
fore alighting. In an attempt to win
the Lahm cup on May 10, 1910, Captain
Honeywell became becalmed while
lowering over Lake Michigan. After
several hours his craft was finally
carried up and across to the Michigan
side, where he made safe landing.
He manufactured the balloon Kansas
City, which he Is sailing in this race.
One of the most perilious balloon
flights ever made in this country was
that of William r. Assman from San
Antonio, Tex, to Cover, Mo-, last
February "a, in an attempt to win the
Lahm cup. A few hours after he as
cended in his balloon, the Miss Sofia,
was caught up in a snow cloud. At
one time the bag reached an altitude
OF $4,000 feet. Assman was In the air
twenty-five hours and twenty-eight
minutes. making an average distance
Of thirty-two and half miles an hour.
The efforts of John M. Berry, pilot
of the Million Population club balloon,
have been conferred, in the main, upon
perfecting steering apparatus for a
dirigible balloon He has made sever
al short flights.
j. II. Wade, Jr., is credited with be-
ing courageous balloonist. Many Of
his flights have been made in the
Great Lakes section, where each as
cension is fraught with great danger.
He has experienced several narrow
escapes but has never been seriously
injured. Frank M. Jacobs, of Topeka,
was but recently licensed pilot, but
he is said to be absolutely fearless.
From every city that has represent
tative in the race delegations were
present when the aviation field gates
opened, three hours before the time
for the first balloon to rise. st. Louis
sent a crowd On a special train.
Is fnlu tnr
sand persons are provided in the avia'
ton field, which was but recently com.
p1eted. Room is also set apart for a
thousand automobiles. Sixteen thou.
sand feet. of sixteen inch pipe carried
gas to the balloons. Natural gas
which has been passed through heated
pipes for the purpose of eliminating
carbon, was used to fill the bags j.
w. Bemis, the wealthy st. Louis
sportsman, directed the work of in.
flating the balloons.
Delay Departure Till p. NJ.
Ideal weather conditions prevailed
and it appeared that the aeronauts
would have their wishes for cool
weather and brisk wind.
The aim to start the balloons begin
ming at 4 o'clock was revised at the
last moment, and the hour for start.
ing fixed at o'clock at the request OF
several contestants who argued that
the less time given the sun to heat
the gas in the big bags the better the
chances for long flight The con.
testants today drew lots for places at
the starting. The seventh and last
place regarded by the aeronaunts as
the best, was drawn by Clifford B.
Harmon, representing the Aero club
OF New York.
Before the balloons are started in
the national race 10000 cubic foot
balloon, half the capacity Of the
others, piloted by J. Cowen Hubert
of st. Louis, will be started by Mr..
Hubert in contest for the record in
10000 foot bags. He will make the
flight without aid. His balloon will
be released at 1880 O'Clock