The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-02-10
BY Karl H. Won Wiegand.
Copyright 1915, by United Press.
r...:l. =. ~-. n.:4:

BY Karl H. Won Wiegand.
Copyright 1915, by United Press.
Copyright in Great Britain.
Berlin, Feb. 1.-(Via the Hague
and London, Feb. 1O.)-Count Fer
dinand Won Zeppelin made his first
balloon ascension in St. Paul, instead
of on the civil war firing line, he
told me tonight.
It was while he was in the air
above that little frontier town of
1868 that he conceived the first idea
of dirigible aircraft. The count
was telling me of his visit to America
during the civil war.
Made First Ascension at St. Paul.
After discussing his meeting with
President Lincoln and experiences on
the firing line at the time of the
civil war, he said:
II made my first balloon ascension
at st. Paul, and not on the civil war
firing line, as has been frequently
said. A major of the union army,
whose name I have forgotten, was
there and had captive balloon
Gas Prevented Long Flight.
~ wanted real sensation and ar
ranged for the use of the balloon, he
to cut the rope and me to make long
flight after had gotten up the limit.
l bought all the spare gas that the
St. Paul gas works would let me have
and was able to get up several hun
dred feet, but gas was of such poor
quality that I could not get the bag
filled sufficiently to essay a long
flight.
First Idea of Dirigibles Conceived.
"Yet, while was above St. Paul,
had my first idea of aerial navi-,
cation strongly impressed upon me,
and it was there that the first idea
of my Zeppelins came to me.
Made Trip Up Lakes.
II had made trip over the lakes
and saw some beautiful American
girls. They finally broke the ice by
Tipping apple seeds into my face and
then we had jolly talk.
II made brief stay at Pere Mar
quette and incidentally the city Of
Superior, Wis.,, might have been
named after me as some of the people
suggested changing it in my honor.
Sees Indians Dance War Dance.
II suffered great hardships for 21
days, making my way through the
dense woods from Superior to St.
Paul, accompanied by two Russians
and an Indian half-breed. On the
way, 1 passed a camp where the
Chippewas were engaged in a war
dance in honor of victorious fight
with the Sioux.
Had Photograph Taken.
I'm 1868 St. Paul was pretentious
enough to have a photographer and
as a souvenir I have a photograph of
myself, taken at that time. 1 re-
turned south via Milwaukee, where
many houses were being raised on
higher ground on account of high
water from the lake. In New York
l witnessed the draft riot and saw the
police shooting into the mob.
~ had many friends in America,
but I fear that few of them have
cared to live as long as have. Per-
haps none will be left when I come
again, if come in one of my cruz
sers."
Hopes to Be First Across Ocean.
The conversation tonight first turn
ed to the possibilities of the giant
airships that bear Count Zeppelin's
name.
II have always hoped to be the
first to pilot an airship across the
Atlantic. I have believed that to do
so would be the browning effort Of
my career" said the count.
Troubled by Charges of Ruthlessness.
mot to lombard New York and
Washington I asked him quietly.
The count was very grave as he
replied, and it was plain from his
general attitude that he has been
greatly troubled over the charges of
ruthlessness in the use Of dirigibles
and the criticism that they are be-
yond the pale Of civilized warfare.
Wants to Sail on Mission Of Peace.
Throw bombs on people who have
been so kind to me when was among
them ?"r he said Never! Never!
want to; sail on a peaceful mission
when go to America"
He was ~ in July, but he does
not look more than 60. He is short,
but his well-knit, athletic figure
shows astonishing elasticity and a
Quickness of movement. He has very
clear eyes and a ruddy face, with
snow-white mustache. and. when