AN AMERICAN BALLOON STORY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1772, 4 August 1888, Page 3

AN AMERICAN BALLOON STORY.

“It is claimed by the balloonist Baldwin that be has dropped 5000 ft from a balloon with a parachute. I shall drop at least 10,000 ft, and shall attempt what ho other balloonist ever did; I, ahall drop with the ’chute closed; leaving it entirely to the air to open the parachute. There is no use in attempting to do anything unless 1 can beat all previous records and fall farther than any living man. A, few hundred feet less or a few hundred feat more would for me. I must at least double the distance.” Soysaid Edward?)).Jpdgan to a group of people assembled at Jackson, Michigan, to see him make bis foolhardy Venture. The St. Louis GlobeDemocrat says‘‘.The balloon shot up almost straight to a distance of 10,6COffc. It then settled down about 400 ft and bung like a ball in the heavens. The anxious and excited crowd of people on the ground watched the ballon with bated breath. The parachute was closed. Hogan drew it up till he reached the ropes, to which be 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 by the rapidity of the fall unless he took the precaution to fasten himself. When he stepped on the edge of the car to spring off into space, some of the spectators grew pale and sick. Surely this daring man was going to certain death. A shout of terror goes up. Hogan has jumped. Down like a • cannon ball he fell for 500 ft. The parachute has not yet opened, He was falling like a meteor, and the spectators shut their eyes. Suddenly a shout goes up. The parachute has ’caught the air and opened. Hogan’s I was almost stopped with a jerk. Then the parachute settles down; to a steady journey earthward with: its passenger, and in three minutes from the time the reckless man . left the. balloon he landed safely in an open field some little distance from where the ascent 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.