TJIJfl OMA1LA. JJ-AJJL.X' , .JUJSJL5 HO 1805. 13
*
The Bee Balloon Ascension.
A Memorable Fourth Twenty Years Ago ,
t A FAlt-PAMKI ) 1 OtJimi OF JULY.
Jlovr Omnha t'clelirutrd Iiulriirmlcncn Dujr
In 1875.
The celebration of the natlon.il anniversary
of 187G will oror be tnemorablo In the annals
of Omnba. Comparatively few of our pres
ent population were eyewitnesses to the Inci
dents related by the participants In the his
toric alrrllnc voyage of The Ileo balloon and
still fewer are familiar with the adventures
uf the aeronaut , Colonel John H. Pierce , who
was then employed as n traveling agent ol
The Bee.
In 1S75 Omaha had a population of Icsa
than 25,000 , and vvhllo her cltlrens were
noted for enterprise , public spirit and
patriotism , everybody was disposed to defet
nil demonstrations to celebrate the Fourth tc
the following year , which was the centennial
anniversary of American Independence
About the middle of Juno The Bee ventured
to get up n celebration of the Fourth on Us
own account that would attract people fron
all the neighboring country. To thli
end a balloon excursion to UK
Illack Hills was projected and advertises
to take placeon the ntternoon of Saturday
July 3 , at the fair grounds adjacent to Slier
man avenue. A balloon In which 1'rof. Stcl
ncr had made an ascension several years pre
vlous was laying In soak In the cellar o
Shoaf's great billiard hall , corner Klevontl
and Farnam. The balloon was purchased to
$250 and sent for repairs to the fair grounds
After It had been aired and patched by tin
famous poet scout , Captain Jack Crawford
and the ascenslonlst , John II. Pierce , It
netting was found to bo too rotten and It
wicker car too frail for so perilous n. Jour
ney. So Colonel I'lerco was dispatched t
Chicago to purclmo the necessary supplle
which In duo tlmo were spliced and attache
to the gan holder.
The balloon excursion to the Illack Hllls-wa
announced far and wide with the followln
advertisement :
1776. 1875.
THE NATIONAL BIRTHDAY.
Grand Celebration at Omaha ,
Saturday , July 3under the
Auspices of the Daily
"BEE.i"
The advertisement went on to say that
balloon ascension would bo made at the sta
fair grounds In a balloon seventy feet hip
carrying ISiroe persons , John II. I'lerco , aei
naut , his wife , and a gentleman conns t
with The Bee ; that there would also be
free-for-all trotting race , mule race , hurt
race , foot race , sack race and other rac <
that a platform for dancing , accommoilatl
125 couples had been tullt ; that the mui
would bo furnished by the 23d Infantry ba
and a military parndo by the troop from t
Fort Omaha barracks would bo held by t
kindness of tSio department commander , Gi
oral Crook ; that numerous small ballot
containing live cats , dogs and pigs would
sent up ; that the railroads had agreed to r
excursion trains from all points at greatly
duced rates ; that admission to the f
grounds was only 60 cents , children h
price , and that ono and all should come a
enjoy the good tlmo guaranteed In advance
The day was a general holiday. I'rlvi
and public business was suspended to <
able all to participate In the celebration , 1
following order was oven Issued from I
postofflce department :
TO ALL CLERKS AND AGENTS : GENT
On account of many of our dorks a
agonta wishing to take transportation
the Bla'ck Hills In The Bee balloon , this
flee will bo closed on Saturday , July 3 , 18
12 Tlurlbus Unum.
Unum.Very Respectfully ,
PAUL VANDERVOORT
Ohf. Hd. Clerk , R. M.
So far as relates to the entertainment
' the public the celebration of the glorli
Fourth ot 1875 was a grand success. Seas
as the financial results were concerned
' -was a dismal failure , entailing upon The 1
and Its proprietor a loss of some $800.
"r
* T1IK Al.KUNAUT Tr.l.l.S.lllS OWN hlO
Experience of the Man \Vhu Went Up w
Iho llnlloon.
- MINNEAPOLIS , June 20. During
year 1875 the west was greatly excited o
. the discovery ot gold In the Black II
'and my name was linked with It as the <
' who , through The Omaha Bee , had gl
* the news to the world. But the Indian t
to ths auriferous region was protected
. General Sheridan with all the troops av
. able , vvhllo Crazy Ilorso and his band
. Ravages were eager for the scalps ot the
who ran the military blockade. The Bl
Hills park , the new miner's Mecca , v
however , a sacred hunting ground for
eouls of departed Sioux , and no Indian '
over known to enter Its hallowed precinct
With pure hydrogen gas a well equip
balloon ot largo size could make the voy
to this park and the summer trade wl
of the prnlrlo sea blew from my homo
the land of gold.
I waa then employed on The I
an Omaha paper that got the news
pile ot the _ Associated press , which
serving at that"tlmo the rivals of The I
This dally , with two edition ] , and the Beob :
'tor , In German , and the Bohemian Pot
, Zapadu wore all published by the now fan :
" editor , Dnvard Roscwater , anti-mom
list , autl-prohlbltlonlat and antl moro th
. and mm than I can mention , but never
' leu , next to his enemy , Jay Gould ,
Ilosowater was then , as he Is today ,
strongest power In Nebraska , and this
the man who approved anJ financially f
life to my plans for a Fourth ot July cole
tlon , and a balloon ascension with the B
Hills as the objective point.
The dead walls and our columns \
. not alone In heralding thU new way of s
Ing for nows. The great dallies of
world told the story , with editorial c
ments. and It was a question , much
cu sed , whether wo had the right to
avoid the government forces , nnl whether
soldiers at Fort Omaha would allow this
podltlon to start from under their m
The comic papers had theJr Jokes about
new Bee line to the Black Hilts. I boi
a balloon , rovarnlghed and almost remadi
whllo a brother of the editor devoted hln
to the preparations for manufacturing a
quantity of hydrogen.
Tha glorious Fourth proved to bo a bt
and beautiful day. The wind was ex :
, true to our destination. The cannons booi
The bands played. The excursion trains c
_ crowded , and thousands ot dollars were ti
' kt the fair grounds gate from the c
throng that ruined to surround the balloc
All was ready but the gas with whlc
ascend , and Iti manufacture began , and
tt depression Instead of elevation. Am
Rosawater , our gas maker , Is now a
k own And * bl engineer , but then he
merely a brilliant , but overconfident youth ,
who knew but little about the task he had
undertaken , and I knew less , for In all my
ascensions I had kept away from the foul
odors of the gas tanks. Our gasometer
proved to be too small ; It Jumped like a
grasshopper. The pipes soon clogged with
diluted acid , the Ice for cooling the gas gave
out and the whole apparatus became too hot
to handle. An explosion was threatened , so
we tried to get the people away , which pro
voked the crowd of drunken cow
boys , and they sailed In for a gen
eral row. Captain Jack Crawford , since
famous as scout of many an expedition
against the Indian ? , came to our help with
two revolvers and a yard of hair streaming
In the vvjnd , the pollco rallied , and when the
battle was over vvo were alone with a gas bag
not quarter filled and evening was approach-
Ing.
Ing.Wo
Wo towed the balloon to Jefferson square ,
stationed a guard and went home. A terrific
storm came on , and the next morning a mass
of mud-covered cloth and cordage was fished
out of the puddles , taken to Capitol Hill !
washed , repaired and hung out to dry.
It Is unnecessary to state that the ascen
sion announced for that day did not occur
The next morning's papers gave positive as
surance that the balloon would go up thai
evening , but Incessant rain made a thlri
postponement necessary. Earnest assur
ances were given that this was final , amen
on the morrow the air should not hold ui
down.
down.Wo
Wo had abandoned the making of puri
hydrogen and resorted to the cirburettei
article of the gas works. At C in the morn
Ing we attached our hose and turned on thi
gas , but when night came the balloon stll
lacked buoyancy , for water was In the main
and the gas flowed like molasses In winter
Thousands were present. Such a vas
croud had never before assembled In Omaha
and as It was growing dark I climbed Into th
cordage and told the assistants to glvo me i
boost. Up went the balloon , about ten feet
then back to earth 'mid deafening shouts o
derision and disappointment. Excursionist
from far and near had remained In the clt ;
vowing to see the balloon ascension It It tool
all summer , and these , being of the wil
and woolly sort , had gone from grocery t
grocery until they were full If the balloo
wasn't. It bad language could hurt , I shoul
have died there and then. The crowd wa
too dense for bullets , hence my funeral dl
not occur that week. Weapons were drawt
however , and If one shot had been fired th
funerals would have Included some who hav
since then earned an honorable nlcho in th
temple of fame.
The next day the balloon was fllltd , bi
the gas had so little buoyancy that I coul
not take the car , the anchor , ballast , pr <
toctlvo appliances nor Instruments of an
kind. I Jumpedlnto the ropes , shouted gooi
bye , and sprang heavenward.
More than a mile abovS the city I heai
the shouts and wild hurrahs of the excite
populace , vvhllo a grand old eigle ftcreamc
with Indignation at the Invasion of the sacn
air of his realm. The feast of vision ws
worth all the trouble It had cost. The rar
flejl and free air of the heights above t
travels with great speed , and I made ful
a mile a minute until I nearcd Florence lal
and found my balloon descending. I pulli
wide the valve , Increasing my downvvai
speed , and called to Eome laborers for a
slstance. They laughed and asked for
ladder , and paid"Ve gant coom oop da
do you vet vor you make fun mlt us'
Now was the time to use the rip cord ai
open the balloon from top to bottom , lettli
out the gas and making a huge parachu
of the cloth above me , thus Insuring Imm
dlate descent. One jerk , and the rip cord fi
broken at my feet. I grasped the val
cord , but I drifted out1 over the lake ; then
closed the valve and overboard went r
volvers , boot1) and coat In a vain effort
send the balloon up again.
In a few seconds I was burled beneath t
waters. Then the balloon formed Into a hu
sail and dragged me through the lake wl
the speed of the wind. As I neared the she
I noted a thicket ot willows ahead. 1
mother preferred willows to the tlmo honor
slipper , but I have always avoided them ,
noticed an opening , and using my legs for
rudder I steered my light draft clipper qul
easily Into what proved to bo a w Inter wo
road , now covered with water. I manag
to follow this track without other Injury th
a few scratches and bruises until an op
prairie was reached , when I made n despera
struggle to stop the swiftly ricocheting b ;
loon , but all to no purpose. I hold the val
open , but the gas escaped slowly.
Not far away two excited men were all
Ing at mo with gnus. I shouted and th
ran. I beckoned and called for their assl :
ance , and they returned , dodging the Jumpl
balloon , evidently deeming It a thing of 11
At last they bravely rushed In and seized t
huge , unmanageable bulk and drew It to t
ground , whllo I tied It to a stray saplli
When empty they helped me roll It up a
were so delighted with their achlevemc
that they danced and shouted with glee. Th
were two young Wlnnebago Indians , with t
wildest notions about the wonderful bird tli
had helped to capture , and they almost vvi
shlped mo as ono far greater than ordlnc
mortals. They thought I was Walla-'W
Ken , the spirit of the air.
A catfish , caught by his thorns In the hi
revolver pocket of my buckskin vest , was
souvenir of my unvvfiling bath In Floret
lake and served to make mo a hearty me
My Indian friends accompanied mo on i
return to Omaha and were my guests ur
with brass , feathers , beads and paint th
g. became rich and proud and returned w
j tales that made them heroes In their tribe
Financially the affair was a success (
the gate keepers ) , and the press forgave
for falling to reach the Hills , seeing that
tried hard to satisfy the people. Nevcrtl
less I keenly felt that I had not made
complete success of the venture.
JOHN H. PIERCE
WHY TIII : OV.H < ; INIU YTOK P.VII.K
Troubles Kxporlrncnil In ( letting tlio It ;
he loon Inllateil mid Iloa'ly to Stnrt.
er The original design ot the balloon arci
Us slon was to make a trip ot a few mil
ne This Idea was soon enlarged upon so as
make as long an aerial voyage to the nor
tlo west as possible , with a view ot roach
by the Illack Hills. For this purpose hydroj
IIot gas , which has about double the carry !
ot power of ordinary Illuminating gas , was
ck bo used , and provisions for a number
19. days supply , together with arms and amn
19.ho
ho nltlon , were to bo taken. There seemed
bo no doubt from previous observations
being able to strike a favorable upper
current to carry the airship to the northwi
as that soeined to be the general direction
the air currents.
Three persons wore to embark on t
voyage , Mr. Pierce , his plucky little wife , i
the writer. Illustrated placards announc
this program were hastily Improvised , prln
and sent to stations on the lines of all c
netting railways , and newspaper advertl
ments with appropriate cuts sent to varl
journals under advertising contracts. 7
was all done within a week. The balloon '
then taken out ot the storehouse and
means ot a "blower" filled with air to
tested for leakages , the valves and other
tachments to be carefully adjusted and pla
In thorough repair.
The balloon sack was Itself In a fair coi
which were made by an old expert sa
whose services had been engaged. When i
waa done Oio entire sack needed a there
coat of varnish. This was a laborious
ek-
the wtill as difficult piece of work , but was
compllshed In a few diys. In the me
im-
Its- while n sudden discovery was made ,
lius netting , which had not been closc'y scr
the nlzcd , was found to bo In a state of pat
decay and abiolutely worthless. This
an alarming surprise. Nothing of that
the turo could be obtained In the city and w
ght out It all would bs a failure. With only
It. days margin nothing remained to bo <
sell but to Bend Mr. Pierce at once to Chl <
ast with authority to contract under any i
ditlons for the netting so as to Insure Its
ght cetpt on time. ,
: tl/ Under special Inducements and extra ]
icd.me nvent per day for delivery before the st
me lated period the netting arrived at On :
ken July 2. The ascension was to take p
ger Saturday , the Jd , the Fourth coming
i , Sunday. U was expected that an expert w
to bo secured at Chicago to devise and su
rlth vise the gas machinery , which was repo
rew as a simple and eaay affair. In this we v
veil unsuccessful , and the matter waa left
tlrcly with myaelt. I looked up wbat 1
literature was available. The city had
no public library and alt that I found upon
the subject related to small chemical lab
oratory experiments. I tried In vain to se
cure the co-operation of a chemist. No ono
would venture on so extensive a scale. A
few days before the time 1 succeeded In get
ting a copy of Wise's work on aerial navi
gation and from It I gathered some data
which furnished the basis of a hastily de
vised plan of machinery for making the gas.
No ono who Jias given the subject a sur
face consideration can form a conception ol
what It requires and the expedients neces
sary to make a plant capable ot evolving
20,000 cubic feet of hydrogen gas In two or
three hours , as was then contemplated. In
computing the material necessary It was
found that to supply20,000 cubic feet of gas ,
which was about two-thirds the capacity ol
the balloon , required nine tons of water
two and one-half tons of sulphuric acid anc
two and one-halt tons of Iron scrapings
These required the construction of a batters
of alr-tlght vats or barrels with a system o
pipes to receive the acid anil water supplj
and gas outlet pipes , which In turn al
focalized Into a sort of gasometer with i
base ot about ten-inch depth of cold wate
mixed with lime , through which the gai
must pas. ! to be purified and cooled. Fron
this gas retort a large main led to tin
balloon To get all this mechanism In i
short time and place It properly on a lev
days' notice was no small labor.
By extraordinary effort , with storm ;
weather at Intervals , the gas works , so ti
speak , received their last finishing louche
about 1 o'clock on July 3 , or one hour befor
the ascension was to take place. The ground
wcro already crowded and despite specla
hired police it was almost Impossible to kee
the crowds from coming against the vat
and derricks where the carboys of acid wor
being raised on pulleys to be poured Into th
barrels. Captain Jack Crawford with a num
ber ot men supervised this work and only a
the point of a revolver did he keep peopl
from crowding and climbing on the support
Ing platforms. That an accident did not oc
cur was simply miraculous.
About a half hour after starting the work
the enlargement ot the balloon sick becam
observable and Its steady growth gradual !
quieted the Impatient crowd At 3 o'cloc
about 5,000 feet ot gas had been made an
with It the hope of a successful ascent th :
day seemed Justified In the meanwhile tli
races had fully set In and the surging of tl
crowd temporarily ceased. The generation (
gas , however , became slower and with It tl
pipes became Intensely hot. An hour's wal
Ing did not seem to develop much gain ,
seemed qulto evident that the area of e :
posed surface In the batteries was Insufi
cient to generate gas fast enough.
After 4 o'clock a mob ct half drunke :
disorderly men surrounded the works , threa
enlng to blow them up. Some began cllml
Ing upon the batteries and supporting pla
forms but were roughly handled with clul
and at the point of revolvers were final
forced to move on. In the meanwhile stor
clouds made the sky black as n'ght , and by
a heavy rain poured down , and continued f
two days. On Tuesday , the Gth , It clean
up , the balloon was taken up and carried
Jefferson square , where It was decided
make the ascension on the following day.
All efforts to get the balloon In ccmlltl
for a day ascension proved futile and a fin
effort was decided on for that evening ,
special contract was made with the gas cot
pany to Inflate the sick by direct cannectd
with the gas main , and by 10 o'clock the Inf
tlon waa completed. It had been decided
view of the circumstances that only ti
should make the ascent , Mr. Pierce and t
writer. When all was In readiness t
anchor ropes wore loosened , but to the co
sternatlon of all the balloon would not rl.
Then , after reducing the load of provitlcns * \
other appatatus to a minimum and finding
would not rise , the writer stepped off. Aga
disappointment stared us In the facer
would not rise.
Desperate to prove to a Jeering crowd tli
the failure was unintentional and not frc
fear , Mr. I'lerco disconnected the basket , a
elevating himself Into the concentrating rl
asked the crowd to "boost" him up 1
rose a few feet , to sink hopelessly again
the ground.
Why the balloon would not rlso could or
bo accounted for on two grounds. First , t
weight of the now netting had been scrr
what Increased over the old , and second , t
gas contained too much carbon to glvo It t
requisite buoyancy.
After a brief consultation It was decided
make another effort the next morning ,
guard was placed around the balloon to pi
vent any mischief.
1C The next morning at dawn Mr. Pierce am
, were on the ground looking over the slti
' tlon. The balloon was seemingly Inflal
to Its utmost , but upon trial It would i
lift Mr. Pierce In the basket. Chafing unc
repeated failures , Instead of waiting for t
sun to rlso and thoroughly evaporate I
moisture on the balloon from the heavy d
and still further Increase Its lifting power
the expansion ot the gas Incidental to I
Increased heat , Mr , Pierce cut Icose the b
kot , suspended himself from the conci
tratlng ring , throw off his coat , and then
dered the men to let go. In a moment
was up 500 feet or moro In the air , then i
llberatcly cill'ng ' at the tor of his vice , vvh
could be heard for blocks , "Ooodby boy
ho dropped some sand ballast and shot
skyward llko a frlghlencd bird suddenly
caped from a prison cage.
The balloon took a northeasterly cour
going at about fifty miles on hour. Si
denly , as flying over the river bottoms ab
three miles distant a cloud ot smokellke i
pearanco burst from the top of the ballo
and , as If In some convulsive struggle ,
seemed to fall by Jerks In sotnmersa
fashion through the air. Securing a sad
horse I rode toward the spot as fast as p
l. slble , expecting to find the unfortun
corpse of my friend , I discovered J
Pierce safely on land apparently as well
ever.
ever.The
The story as told by himself was t
after seeing his course was directly over
Missouri , which was then over Its banks ,
concluded to let himself down , lest i
gas giving out after a tlmo might drop 1
In an undesirable location. To effect the
ho suddenly drew the rope attached to
side ot the balloon , with a view of splltt
the sack , anticipating as a result that
would spread out In parachute form i
drop him safely below. The rope , In
to opinion , luckily broke and forced him
toof take the safe course , viz : to pull open
ilr valve and let the gas out moro slowly , w
ilrt. > the result already named and more fully
t.of scribed by Mr. Pierce himself.
I could add much by way ot comment i
ils analysis from a scientific standpoint by
nd light ot subsequent acquired knowledge ,
this Is already too long. It certat
ng proves the old adage , "Truth Is stranger tl
fiction. " ANDREW UOSEWATEI
New York World.
We're spiritual wheelmen In this world
Bin luul shame ,
80,110 of us are experts others bran' new
the game.
Two roiuli me oil we travel , one o' then
smooth ami wide ,
The oilier rough nr.O hilly , now which
v\IH > ou ndc ?
The smooth road looks Invltln' , but all nl
the way
Wheels with punctured tires and bro
frame works lay ,
With here and there a rider who has :
fered In a smash.
They rode "the pace that kills" and that
they cut n mighty dash.
See ! Yonder goes a scorcher bendin1
upon his wheel ,
Rldln' to penlltlon just as fast as ho
reel ;
Level road before him ; lots of fun upon
th-
way.
six Money In his pockets for to make his llf
mo gay.
igo
I/jok out on the other road , lots of b
into
there , too.
to- Room for plenty more , my friends , rider ;
toy too few ,
y- Hard work cllmbln' up the hills , no r
adam there.
* Nary chance to coast and save your lei
l lot rxvpnr .
on liut watt until you reach the top an' I
uld you'll see a sight ,
< rA road that ran t bo beat an' wheels
ted new and shlnln * bright.
Fitted up with heavenly sear that's tt
ere
your prize ,
en.tlo Jump on one and wheel away straight
.tlo 1'aradUo
THE FOURTH IN WAR TIMES
Hill )
Recollections of Thrilling Experiences on
the Gr&tf'Holiday. '
i in
V.CKSBURG FIRING , T AJ MEANT BUSINESS
Strange Tart riajcii'tfy ' the fourth In tilt
Life of H Well K'-noWn Army Olllcor
The Uewnri/ii / Hi1 a Hey Oho
1'ouglit fotjllho 1 IUR.
1 I ill
I Ml
( Copyright. ISM. by 3. S. McClure , Limited. )
"Yea , " said Colonel .Fred Grant , leanlni
back In his commissioner's chair at the Nev
York police headquaHcr's , when I asked hln
about the memorable Fourth of July , 1SC3
"I remember the entrance ot the federa
troops Into Vlcksourg very well Indeed. Hu
t was a lad of only 13 then , was qulto II
from camp disorders and puttering from i
most horrible toothhchc , which was not re
lloved until after vvo had passed over th
fortlflcallons. You will easily understand
why many details that would now be vcr
interesting have no place whatever In m ;
memory.
"On the 3d cf July , as you no doubt rcmem
ber , the preliminaries of Vlcksburg's sur
render wore gone through by my father an
General Pemberton. The meeting ot in
father , who was attended by General Me
Pherson , with General Pemberton , attcndcJ b
General How en , has been described In botte
terms than I could command , even It I coul
recall the details. After a llttlo talk Me
Pherson and Uowen stepped aside to arrang
details , while the staff officers discussed al
fairs among themselves. After the term
had been arranged and put Into writing th
conference was ended and Generals Perr
berton and Uowen rcturnol to their ow
lines and wo to headquarters. There wa
n feeling of the most Intense expectanc
all through our headquarters , and , lndcc (
Iho entire federal camp.
"I was suffering so severely that I vver
Into the tent that I waa sharing with in
father and lay down upon one of the tvv
bamboo cots that had been made for us I
some of the soldier boys. llut I was I
such pain that I could not sleep , and I n
member well how I lay there , hour aft (
hour , on the eve ot that eventful Fourtl
watching my father , who sat writing at
rude 111 tie two-by-four plno table , also mai
by the soldier boy. His face was llghtt
by the flickering blaze of a candle , and tl
scratching of his pen aa It traveled back ar
forth over the paper was the only sound
the tent. Finally , In the middle of tl
night I am not sure whether It was yet tl
Fourth or not I began to drowse a little ,
splto of my pain. Uut I was aroused vei
soon by the entrance 62 an orderly with
note.
" 1 did not have to be told that the me
. I lo
sago was from General Pemberton.
my sleepiness at once and watched n
father's face vvhllo he read the note ,
was not a long one , but he read It over I
tently two or three times. When he look
up an expression of great relief passed ov
his features and ho took a long breath.
" 'Well , Fred , ' ho said , turning to m
'It's all over. We shall enter VIcksbu
In the morning as soon as the formal su
render can be made. '
"That was all he said , and I suppose
must have turned In soon after. I fell In
a deep sleep almost Instantly.
"Of the actual entrance Into Vlcksburg i
the Fourth I remcmbel"only the chief poln' '
. The staled
Our men were JubllanUiot course.
led by father , rode. Inside the confedera
lines to a house partly of itono and partly
wood , that was pretty well riddled by all
and shell , where we'met General Pembs
ton , who looked greasy distressed , and t
papers were signed , j'10 ' talk between Ge
oral Pemberton and my1 father was not Ion
Its terms were courteous but hardly cordl ,
and all were heartily.glad when the sign
lures had been appended to the articles
capitulation. Then we1 remounted and ro
Into town I renvembeV' that our horses h
to lump the breastworks and trenches , a
that the Jolting Increased my sufferlr
Father selected his headquarters as soon
he could , a dentist was brought and t
aching tooth was ajtended to , and then , belo
very 111 Indeed , I , was put to bed. A t
days later It was necessary to send mo noi
10 '
TIRING'THAT MEANT UUSINESS.
o Dr. George F. Shrndy , . who was Gene :
Grant's physician during the great soldle
last Illness , recalls July 4 , 18G2 , as the mi
Impressive Independence day In his expe
en co
"I had Just been graduated In medlclm
said Dr. Shrady , "and was on my way
Fortress Monroe , where I was to serve as
assistant surgeon. The battle ot Malvc
Hill had been fought on July 1 and 2 , n
there were many wounded union soldiers
the hospitals In and about Fortress Monr
We went there bjc boat , the sea voyage p
of the trip being made on the Euterpe , a
our trip up to the fort on a smaller steam
I got my first taste of real war on that tt
The confederates at Fort Powhatan dls
garded our yellow flag. Indicating that 01
was a hospital boat , and opened fire upon
"I stood on deck looking directly at I
leisurely ale
boat steamed
fort , as our
Suddenly there was a putt of white sm <
and a great red flash. Then a big sotneth
came sailing through the air right tpwi
us. You know you can see the projec
from a big gun If you are about In Its ran
My first thought was that I was 'right Into
I d like to
to to say , and my second that
out-of the way. Dut before I had time
-
dodge , the shot had struck the smokesti
and demolished It. That made things hlg
Interesting , and besides the sharpshoot
kent peppering at our pilot house all the v
up | and , taking It altogether , the trip wa
right lively ono.
"When wo made Iho return trip a few d
later In the same boat , we were escorted
two gunboats , wie of which was named
Galena , after the town ot General Grai
residence. It was as If a school girl
been stoned by mlschlpvous urchins on
te way to school , was afraid of being hurt , ;
the teacher had sent her home between
is big boys who would swagger along on oil
side and see that she came to no sort
at we passed Fort Pawha
ate harm. Well , as
e one of our gunboats sent a shell or two era
tie Ing over toward the boat. It was fun to
le the missiles cut off the tree branches
in . There v\
is make the dust fly around there.
no answering shots. The mischievous urcl
lie
kept quiet. They didn't like the looks of
ig
It big boys that had been sent to see the II
id girl homo , and so the return trip was m
iy less exciting than the trip up stream
to
lie ENLISTING ON THE FOURTH.
the An army officer of such present rank
e- standing that ho Is likely some day to b
eid was recently visiting some
id major general ,
friends In the east who had not seen
he
heut life , and sail
ut often since he began army
ly them that ho looked upon the 4th of J
cf.-tho beginning of
in 18C" as the date -
career , and that h had sometimes wondc
at the coincidences which had made that
a conspicuous one In his life. Then brl
ho told his story : ' ' ' . . ,
, , ,
4 186.
"Soon after mldnlRht on July ,
country lad was aw atoned by a prcarrar
signal , and looking from his window , saw
ut ' for hln
of his mates waiting'Impatiently
Is come out and celebrdtt. by the firing of ph
and a little brass qaonqn , In the small hi
no of the night. Not many minutes was
awakened lad engaged In dressing , and <
ng an agility which was ahvays his character
be swung himself."from his window to
en limbs of a cherry , trqe , and by that mi
dropped to the ground. In his pocket we
uf- couple of biscuits'ahd some pieces ot
rht meat , whclh ho had with prudence proven
on the evening before. Sharing the provU
with his mate , they smarted , munching as
ow went. They went to a hill beneath w
TiouJe which was once
an stood a little farm
home of the grandfather of a president ol
: hoBO United States. On the crest of this hill
discharged their cannon perhaps a d
BO
times. Then , dragging the little cannon
hind them , they started off for the city , i
< C3 four or five miles distant. As they pats
farm house they stopped beneath the wlm
all
and discharged their pistols. When at
ac- they reached the city they Joined a contl
able company , of youngsters who were eng
9 a like themselves. Just at sunrise they c'.lr
Into the steeple of an old church , bon
len whose rafters some of the soldiers of
revolution had gathered In the days ot
all and rang the bell with vigor , although It
be no child's play to pull the rope.
One of them , the lad with which this t
ito hai to do , was 17 years of age , of a IT
stature , but a boy's heart and Impulses ;
other was a little younger. Doth were very
tired by 10 o'clock In the morning , or nn
hour betoro the formal celebration ot the
day was to take place. So they found a sett
upon two tence post , where they perched
themselves to watch the procession as It went
by. Thcro was a company ot boy soldiers ,
dressed In zouave uniform , commanded by
ono who has since gained fame as an nrtltt ,
and by another whose father wns conspicu
ous as a general In command ol union troop *
at the battle of Bull Run , and who hlnuelt
afterwards became a high olllcer In the regu
lar army. These little fellows , with wooden
guns , inarched with military step , and In
the hearts ot some ot them there was klndlc-d
an enthusiasm , such as had led their aider
brothers and their fathers , to enlist In the
army that wns far away at the front , getting
ready for that second great encounter upon
the Manassas battle field.
Jumping down from the fence posts , the
two lads walked bstdo the Juvenile toldlcrj ,
looking very solemn now , and wishing tint
they , too , were members of that company
At last they came * to the public square. Here
a platform had been erecled , and seated upoii
It were the member of congress from thai
district , and a distinguished orator from an
other state , and perhaps half a dozen others.
They were not to make the ordinary Fourtli
of July speech , but to urge volunteers tc
come forward and enlist , so that new regl'
mcnts might be made complete and sent tc
the front.
The older lad stopped to listen to tht
speeches. He had not heard very much aboul
the war , for In his peaceful country 'lift
only faint echoes of the great conflict bar
penetrated at that time. He heard the con
grcssman , as he urged the young men wlu
were gathered In the square before hire
to come * forward and cnlUi ; ho heard thi
great orator make a powerful plea , and hi
wondered whether this speaker did not fee
very hot standing In the sun and swinging
his arms EO violently and speaking In sucl
a loud voice.
MONEY FOR THE HOMESTEAD.
Then he saw the congressman take fron
his pocket a package of money , and hearc
him say , as ho did so , "I have $1,000 here
Each ono of the first ten men who come :
forward and' enlists will receive $100 , am
besides that the town will pay him , by am
by. $200 more. " Then one man , and another
and still another , went forward , signed hi
name , was cheered to the echo as he dli
so , and rec'lved $100. Eight men came for
ward speedily. Then there was a long paus
before the ninth presented himself. As h
came from the platform ho passed a lad
whosR first nams wns William , and said t
him , "William , that's the first $100 that
over had , and I'm going to give It t
mother. " Ho was one William knew , an
was only a year or two older than hlmsell
and not so tall , nor anywhere near so stronp
Now the congressman pleaded and begge
for the tenth man to come forward and enll'
and receive his $100. William's heart wa
mldenly set on fire , and he said to hlmsel
"If Hiram can enlist , why cannot I' Th
$100 that I get now will bo a great help t
father , and the other $200 will mike It po33
bio for him to pay his Interest. Then
shall be a soldier , too , and carry a real gun.
Thus thinking , but scarcely knowing wlu
ho dH. William edged his way to the stel
which led up to the platform , and then lies
tated. The ey ? of the congressman fell upo
him. "Como up. my son , " ho said. "Yoi
too , want to fight for your country. Com
and Join the roll of honor. "
So , almost before he knew what ho ho
done , Wlllam had slgnel the roll , receive
his $100 and was told to report on the follov
Ing dcy at a place which was named to hln
In that moent he changed from a lad to
man. He haJ become separated from h
playmate , who had gone marching on wit
the boy soldiers. Therefore he turned h
face homeward , and after a while reaclu
the llttlo farm house.
William ( fid not dare tell his mother whi
ho had done. So he sought his 'lather ' , wl
was celebrating the Fourth after the lashit
of farmers vvno toll hard , by getting In
crop of hay. William went to the flel
and calling his father apart from the fie
hands placed In his hanJs the $100.
"Whero did you get this , my son ? " tl
farmer ayked.
"It was given to mo thlrf morning. "
"Given to you for what ? "
"For enlisting In the army , and you w
have $200 moro by and by. "
The old man looked at him bewlldere
and then , after a time , ho asked the boy
tell the s'ory As William did < so the tea
came Into the father's- eyes , but he sal
"William , If you had , asked mo this mornli
I phouU have forbidden It , fop 1 should ha
said that you were too young. Hut It eeer
to me that If they want soldiers to tight f
the flag so bad as Into , then some one In o
family ought to go. I cannot , for I am t
old , I fear ? You have three brothers , ai
they are too young. You shall stani I
your word , William , and go. "
Then they went to the house. anJ when t
mother was told her face paled , but she to
down the bible and read a chapter In It
her boy.
A BRAVE SOLDIER.
Llttlo moro than two months later Willis
was In the thick of the fight at Antleta
His courage and his coolness won the admli
tlon of his comrades. Near the close of t
battle , as ho was passing through a cornflo
ho was struck and fell to the ground ,
proved , however , to be a spent bullet. T
shock was severe , and the wound painful , I
not dangerous.
When William came out of the hospl
ho found that he had been made sergeant
a recognition of his courage and his falthf
ness. A year later , on the Fourth of July ,
lay In the hospital again , at Gettysburg. 1
was one of the Immortal band who had i
colved the charge of PIckett's men at t
stone wall. Ilia commanding officer had sc
him fighting while the blood was streaml
from a wound In his neck. As ho lay ur
his cot on that Fourth of July his mind w <
back to that day a year before when ho li
started out for a boyish celebration , and h
returned to his homo pledged to become
soldier , and he was glad that ho had tal <
that step. Ho knew that army life had
fascination for him , and ho then made a re
ys lutlon that In case he survived his wound
by would remain always In the army. Tnls tl
ho when ho left the hospital a lieutenant's co
t's mission was awaiting him a boy of only 18
ad On the Fourth of July , 1861 , William hai
er memorable experience. Ho had fought
nd through the Wilderness and before Potorsbi
and he was a captain now. Some official bi
or ness brought him for the first tlmo Into
of presence of Grant , and Grant said to hi
an "Captain , I have heard of you , and cspeck
ihee of your courage at Cold Harbor. I shall
ee forget you. "
nd On the Fourth of Julyt 1865 , the yoi
captain , having been mustered out of
ns volunteer service , received a lieutenant's c :
he mission In the regular army , and nlthoi
tlo he was never told so directly , yet ho no
ch doubted that ho owed the appointment ti
ad friendly word from General Grant.
In the west , whither ho went with
regiment , ho remained many years , and
nd old father and mother were very proud of
nda record which ho there made In the peril
lid campaigns against the Indians Slowly ,
1m successive promotions , ho at last reached
to rank ot colonel , and was generally recognl
ly. as one of those soldiers who , though lack
his West Point training , neverthelesj have
ed qualities which make a line commander
WHOOPING UP THE FOURTH
.n Abundance of Matorlal for tlio Auiiual
Fntriotlo Din ,
ARGOES OF CIIINLSE CCMBU5TI31ES
nil 'Ioni of Homo .Miulc , Highly Colored
J.xploslM'S A I'ovv Novcltln In btt
1'lccv * Vnry the Monotony of
tlio Cracker.
Three moro days and the fun begins , Ths
nail boy and the old boy , the small girl
nd the old girl , will Indulge In gunpowder
ntriotlsm , frighten the caglo from his eyrie
nd contribute moro or less to the ear-split-
ng din characteristic of the ever glorious
ourth. The country will blow Itself with
ic usual Implements , llut , Oh , what a
ead the next morning !
During the first halt of Juno twelve ships
oadcd with Chinese combustibles reached
his country. They carried 8,000,000 pack-
ges. In each package there are sixty-four
re crackers. That makes 512,000,000 flre
rackcrs. To render this vast prospect of
oy moro comprehensible , remember that a
re cracker Is two Inches long , and If these
acks were laid out In ono continuous line ,
s the small boy would bo glad to have them
aid , It would make a line 1C.1G1 miles long ,
nd It would reach more than half way
round the world. Emerson's shot would bo
owhere In comparison.
And flre crackers are to bo cheap this
ear. What cost G cents nt retail heretofore
-m now be bought for 2 or 3 cents. This Is
"no to the new tariff law. The old duty
, nder the McKlnley law was 8 cents a
lound , which made the extra cost of an
Ight-pound box- containing sixty-four packs
f lire crackers , 64 cents. Under the Wilson
aw the duty Is 50 per cent ad valorem , and
imounts to about 20 cents a box. This nf-
ects only Imported goods , of course , and our
lome-mnde fireworks will cost as much ns
ver this year , llut the fact that fire crack-
rs are to be cheaper than ever before will
irobably develop largo Increases ot gun-
lovuler patriotism all over the country and
nake this a Fourth of July long to be re-
iiembered. The poorest llttlo boy In the
and can have his fire crackers this year
and more fortunate ones can have twice as
nany as heretofore.
There are few now things brought out In
Iho way of heavy fireworks this year.
\mong them Is probably the biggest attempt
over made In the way of cinnon crackers ,
There U a glint cracker now fourteen Inches
ong. The dealers are almost afraid to keep
.hem or to sell them , and they will not sell
: hem to boys unless they ore accompanied
ay their pirents or some responsible person ,
or have a permit In writing. One of these
crackers contains powder enough to break
the glass front of a store If set off at the
curb , and It Is only safe to explode thom
out In some open space where the concusslot
can do no harm to adjoining buildings.
The list of new things In fancy fireworks
this year presents an iterestlng lot ot names
There are Ferris wheels , electric fans , trollsj
wheels , electric bicycles , Ilrooklyn bridges
llttlo Vesuvluses and big Vcsuvlusos , tor
bullions , several new kinds of "chasers" am
Japanese bombs. An unusually good thin ;
Is the parachute rocket , which floats a num
her of small lights by llttlo parachutes. An
other pleasing device. Is the dragon rocket
which lets loose , up about 500 feet , a swam
of dragon llko serpents , that wind In am
about each other for qulto a time , until the ;
disappear.
Some of the old sot pieces appear nov
under new names , and many of them an
modified In their colors so as to produce nev
and pleasing effects. Ot the cheaper nev
things Is the silver geyser , the electric light
trolley wheel , beehives , gas wells , yellov
Jackets and grasshoppers , all ot which ar
sold for from 1 to B cents each ,
The art In making fireworks consists li
mixing the colors and so constituting then
that they will burn properly with the rlgh
eftect. The designing Is done by the chemist
the work of manufacture not requiring sklllei
labor. There will be a few now Importei
fireworks , one of the best being the Chines
mandarin , composed of a largo number o
firecrackers. This Is something that ha
never been seen In this country before. Th
head Is largo and round , and contains thous
amis of snakes ot various hues , which squlrti
and dart about In every direction vvhei
touched by the torch. A few new things ar
to bo found In batteries. The electrl
spreader Is perhaps the more gorgeous , sand
ing , as It does , after the explosion , a myrla
of stars , each showering different colors
through the air. For those who prefer pa
trlotlc fireworks the union battery has bee
devised , which displays a grand fusllado o
colored stars and gives a kaleidoscopic effecl
Among the new goods ot American mak
are an almost endless line of colored exhibl
tlon candles and rockets. Now electric parade
rado torches that will burn In rain or wlm
that are self-lgnltlng , will bo a promlnon
feature this year.
Dragon nets are a now and startling artlcl
In fireworks , simple to flro , and display beat :
tlfully. They commence with discharges c
electric stars , each star In Its flight separal
Ing and making a number ot smaller stars an
flashes. There Is also a shower of brllllati
colored fires eight to ten fet high. As
Inalo , a grand outburst of hissing , flerji
Iragonj take place ; they fill the Mr with louoj
ilsslng nolios , and leave trails ot brilliant
Ire behind them as thfy shoot through tin
nlr.
nlr.The most amusing article ever offered In
fireworks Is "tho devil among , tailors. " It
t to bo pliccd on the ground to flro , anj
opens with nn Illumination In colors , followed
ly a rich stream ot brilliant fire ; next shows
a fountain ot reporting electric stars , and
crmlnates with a burst ot fiery dragons
brown to a height ot fitly or sixty feet , anil
exploding there with loud reports.
The lllrayama Japanese bombuhfH Is netrt
nd startling , the effects produced by thcao
being entirely different from any other , dl -
ilajing showers of pearl * , chrysanthemum *
f various kinds , stars , willow trees , mooni ,
Irngons , lighted Inntcrni , hanging chalni ,
hunderstorms , showers of shells , clnMora ot
trapes , fan. ! , necklaces , rings , scrolls , etc. ,
icsidcs numerous comblintloni of tlio same.
The Ingenuity of the manufacturers has
> tcn taxed to the utmost to pjcuro new and
b ° autltul pieces for lawn displays and publla
xhlbltlons , and thcro la no design that can-
lot be madu specially to order In this city.
The pearl batteries which throw Into the
nlr a number of varleg-ued stars , jcllowr
acket nests which produce swarmi ot yel-
ow Jackets , Jack In a box , and Columbian
vhools ) , ere some ot the novelties In lire-
\orks this year.
The Ferris wheel Is another. It owes Ha
< amo to the fact that It Is tha largest flro-
twotiks wheel solJ for 5 cents. It bas n
Ively action. A center wheel revolves with
great force , and , with two smaller wheels In
ho Inner circle , forms fantastic figures.
Magic fountains arc another novelty for a
ilckcl. And In the 1-cent novelties the only
low things are silver geysers , electric lights
and trolly wheels.
The union battery Is another new feature
levlsod In this country. It displays a grand
'uslllado ' of colored slam and gives n
talcido'coplc effect. Another novelty , called
the "silver-birch tree , " sends a column ot
Ire seventy-five foot Into the nlr , which
tranches anJ blossoms Into blazing forests.
The Natchez tribes an- said to have boon
the only North American Indians who had a
cmpla ot worship.
If you live or travel
anywhere in these United
States you can have most
suitable clothing made to
order by one or another of
Nicoll the Tailor's estab
lishments , located in nearly
every principal city in
America co cities below. )
We display a large assortment
of skilfully selected fabrics ,
over 3,000 styles.
Trousers to order , $4 to $14.
Suits to order , $15 to $50.
Overcoats about the same.
We make garments at shorl
notice , or forward them tc
any destination , often to ou ;
other stores for delivery.
Samples mulled.
Oiirmentu expressed ,
ALL oun WOHIC M\nn IN THIS CITY m
THIJ U\ST \ jouu TAILOUS.
201 S , I5TH STREET.
CHICAGO. ST. Louis.
ST. PAUL. OMAHA.
BOSTON. DENvrn.
WASHINGTON. NLW YORK. INDIANAPOLIS.
KANSAS CITY. SANfRANCISCO. MINNC.M-OLIS ,
HARTFORD. PORTLAND. ORE. LOSANQCLCS ,
ad
aden
ada
en
ena
iO-
iObe
be
mom
m-
i
a
all
irg
S--
-
Slio
lie
m
lly \ A/E BEGIN HOT weather
lot
ing ) t \ with a very warm offer to
: hem
igh m- new beginners. To every one buying
their complete outfit of us this week we
his will give a
his
the 3U3 by COMPLETE DECOBATED DINNER SET FREE ,
the
cod ' Our offer is for THIS WEEK only and
-ng
the the set is shown in our west windows. We are
showing quite a number of new fall styles in
Carpetings , including Tapestry and Body
Brussels , Moquette and Axminster. Sev
eral new colorings have been added this
season and we have secured every nov
elty shown. We are closing out
Alaska Refrigerators ut about cost.
We are agents for the Jewel
Gasoline Stoves there arc
no ftuuldonts with Jewels.
cash or Easy Payments
ONE PRICE
1
