AN AMERICAN BALLOON STORY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2528, 22 September 1888, Page 1 (Supplement)

AN AMERICAN BALLOON STORY.

"It is claimed by the balloonist Baldwin that he has dropped 5000 ft from a balloon with a parachute. I shall drop at least 10,000 ft, and shall attempt what no other balloonist aver did. I shall drop with the chute closed, leaving it entirely to the air to open the parachute. There is no use of my attempting to do anything unless I can beat all previous records and fall farther than any living man. A few hundred feet less or.a few hundred feet more would count nothing for me. I must double the distance.' So said Kdward D. Hogau to a group o£ people who assembled a few days ago at Jackson, Michigan, to see him make his foolhardy venture. The St. Louis GlobeDemocrat says:—" The balloon shot up almost straight to a distance, of fully 10,000 ft. It then settled down about 400 ft aud hung like a ball in the heavens. The anxious and excited crowd of people on the ground watched the balloon with bated breath. The parachute was cloaed Hogan drew it up till he reached the ropes, to which he lashed himself. He did not expect the parachute to open for the first 200 ft or 300 ft, and he was afraid he might be shaken off the bar unless he took the precaution to fasten himself. When he stepped on the edge of the car to spring oft' into spice, some of the spectators grew pale and sick. Surely this daring man was going to certain death. A shout of terror goes up. Hogm has jumped. Down like a cannon ball he fell for 500 ft. The parachute has not yet opened. He was falling like a meteor, aud the spectators shut their eyes. Suddenly a shout goes up. The parachute has caught the air and opened. TTogan's flight downward was almost stopped with a jerk. Then then the parachute settles down to a steady journey earthward with its passenger, and in three minutes from the time the reckless man loft the balloon ho landed safely in an open Hold some little distance from where the asoent was made. Hogan was much disappointed at the slow time made, expecting to come down in 90 seconds. He was overwhelmed with congratulations, and is the hero of the hour." . ;