The Republican journal., 1913-09-04
Col. PhilO Hersey,
Now Touring Europe, Enjoys Flight in
Zeppelin Airship.


of your readers may be pleased to see
few lines in your paper fro m me. hold
many of them in delightful memory and
only wish that they may have in ONE
slight measure, the pleasure in the ac-
acknowledgement on my part of that de-
hight l have had in such full measure.
Some things of interest to me occur
every day as it passes. But few things
are especially so. Among them were the
experiences of three days at Grand Can
yon, the place of wonder, that has no
equal anywhere on earth. 1t is place
and scene distinct of itself; of great
magnitude, SURPRISING variety, charm in
color and the varied presentation of deep
gorges, towering monuments, high cliffs,
many plateauX, rapid rolling river
winding its way for hundreds of miles,
through its deep cut channel seeking the
open sea. Up to the present time no
one has been able to give it suitable de-
scription. Words go ''limping," and
without meaning to any one seeing for
himself. 1t being the wonder Of all
wonders, it is justifiable ambition for
every American, at least, to visit and be
awestruck at the immensely of the hand
work of creation
Other parts of my journey We're the
experience of all cross country travel
ers, except the day ride from Plttsburg
to Washington, through valleys, open
fields, between mountains, and many
miles along the Susuuehanna river, where
the continued panorama of field and for
est, rivulet and rivers, lakes and lagu-
mes, prosperous homes and pretty little
villages, made clean and green by fire.
quent storm and shower, kept one in a
state of charm, through the beauty and
promise evolving with the seasons
Washington we can readily admit to be
the most beautiful city in America, and
when it natures will have no superior
anywhere the world over
1t is, of course, interesting to cross the
Potomac to the city of the patriot dead
at Arlington, to go down the river to the
home and tomb of our country's father;
also to visit the capitol of our country
with Congress in session; where not un-
quently long speeches are made to short
audiences, as was the case in the House
of Representative under my observa-
ton. The speech was two hours long,
the audience dwindled from II to seven
short. The speech, however, was e. cd
one, full Of interest and information on
the subject discussed. My visit to the
Senate chamber was Just at the time the
Senators were entering to open with
prayer that their deliberations might be
well and properly begun. | waited an
hour for Blaine and Conckling, Calhoun,
Clay and Webster to enter. But they
didn't. An indecorous wag sitting by
me suggested that they were over at a
ball game on at that time in George
town. | couldn't conceive of his sug-
gestion being correct After an hours
waiting, attended by desultory dis
cussfon of points OF order, but so had
taken their seats. | assumed that those
| was waiting for came in after | lett
and that the large affairs of our great
nation were properly and vigorously set
set forth with eloquence and power.
VISITS ALMA MATER.
After visit in Boston and at my
Alma Mater, followed by ten days at the
"Old Homes" in Maine, return to New
Y ork was made, and on July 5th | en-
barked for a cross-ocean voyage on
combined passenger and freight steamer
for Antwerp. A trip on one of these
steamers occupies ten days and is most
delightful way of travel. No one of the
200 passengers in the first cabin wished
the voyage to end when it did. We We're
all one happy family, sad at being sepa-
rated.
Seven days were spent at Antwerp,
and for three days there was national
fete, celebrating the 5Oth anniversary of
the free opening of navigation. One day
was given to the school children, and
80, 900 of them marched in review. OF
this | will have something to say to the
little folks when | get home.
HIGH FLYING.
Hamburg, Germany, was the next
point to be reached, and here last Friday
occurred the incident of greatest inter-
est 1t was a 120-mile ride in Zeppelin
airship, out over a beautiful country, of
small farms, under the highest state of
cultivation, with the farmers, their
wives and children all at work in the
harvest field, and for a breadth of ten
miles the country plainly seen. They
all acknowledged our passing by waving
hats and handkerchiefs, and in every
way expressing their delight and appar-
ed in like manner. The horses and cat
there were many didn't understand the
ran the wrong way. They seemed quite
off their base" Even the ducks and
geese everywhere in the bitches, streams
and small lakes, or pools, would huddle
together in surprise and fear, while
chickens and turkeys flew to cover. Still
we kept on our way at the rate of 40
miles an hour against the wind, and on
our return about 70 to 80 miles with the
wind, till our journey to Hatzeburg, of
55 miles and wide detour in return of
about rs was ended, after being up six
to seven hundred feet above the earth
for two and one-half hours.
Our alrship was $50 feet long, from 30
to 40 feet in diameter, the covering or
shell made of canvas, the buoyant force
consisting of small balloons, gas-filled,
inside. The motive power consisted of
two gasoline engines, one at each end, a
car, in which we rode, hung in the mid
way, with seats for IA, with a stewards
apartment at one end, from which issued
a German lunch at the proper time. The
crew consisted or 10 or IL persons, while
there were but seven persons taking
passage.
The means of observation were per-
feet and by use of good glasses wide
view is obtained and view which can
be obtained in no other way.
Our Journey took US over the famous
Bismarck forest, planted by his own d.
rection, also his castle, tomb and the
peasant homes by which the place is