Evening journal., 1912-05-14
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
The BaIlOoniSt Who Helped
Brazil Conquer Its Enemy
By Holland

Yesterday told how James Allen
came to be the first man to use a ball
loon for minitray purposes in the Civil
War. His volunteer in the air" re-
connoissances soon won recognition
from the Federal government and he
was appointed a captain and detailed
for balloon work
After the war was over Captain Al
len returned to his old business Of
giving exhibition balloon flights at
county fairs and elsewhere. One day,
several years after the war while he
WAS so engaged. he was called upon
by his old friend Professor A. ID.
Lowe, of the government service, who
had made several ascensions with
Captain Allen during the war.
Captain" said Professor Lowe, II
have Just received communication
from Dom Ptdro, the Emperor of Bra
zil He has heard that very satisfac-
tory balloon reconnoissances were
made by the Army Of the Potomac's
balloon corps during the Civil War
He wants an experienced balloonist
to go to South America to do service
OF that kind"
at must be the war between Brazil
and Paraguay" Captain Allen an
swered.
yes, you are right" Professor
Lowe replied. Brazil and Argentina
have now been engaged for good
while in a war with Paraguay, but
they have been unable to secure any
victories. The country down there is
so dense and difficult Of penetration
that the army Of Paraguay has been
able to hide itself. Dom Pedro thinks
that a good balloonist can find out
exactly where the Paraguayan army
is, and when that is learned it will be
easy enough for Brazil to conquer it,"
what does he say about pay?" Cap
tain Allen asked
They will give thirty-fve thousand
dollars. the halloonist to pay his ex-
penses out Of that ! shall be very
glad to recommend you to the Brazil
ian minister if you will accept"
"lll think it over and let you know
tomorrow" Captain Allen replied He
accepted the proposition the next day,
and as soon as he could get two bal
looms i'm readiness, with the necessary
apparatus, he sailed for Brazil After
overcoming very great difficulties,
chief among which was the imitation
OF the ballons, Captain Allen was at
last able to make an ascent and, after
he reported to the Brazilian COM
manders the exact position Of the
Paraguayan army With this infor-
nation the army OF Brazil advanced
and conquered Paraguay
The Brazilian commander reported
to his government that no amount Of
money could fully repay Captain
/ Allen for the services he had per-
formed Captain Allen went to Rio de
! Janiero enthusiastic because he be-
lieved that he would receive money
enough to make it possible for him to
carry out his long dreamed of expert
ments in scientific ballOoning or flying
He had long believed that it was only
a question Of the invention of the pro-
per apparatus before man would be
able to maintain himself at a great
height In the air, and with a machine
which he could steer and whose course
he would control absolutely
After waiting many days in the
Brazilian capital Allen sailed with his
balloons for the United States. He
met his friend, Professor Lowe. al
Washington.
Well" said he. "the Brazilians moi
only beat Paraguay, but they hav,
beaten me. They repudiated the Offer
OF thirty-hve thousand dollars ant
have paid me Just about money enough
for my expenses. Now shall have tC
give exhibitions to make a living. Bu
If live long enough | will learn how
to fly in the air"
He died a number Of years before
the world was finally convinced tha
the secret OF human fight had beel
revealed by the Wright Brothers.
Copyright. 1912. by L. J Edwards
All rights reserved
Tomorrow Mr. Edwards will tel
e. AZ