The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, November 26, 1896, Page 1

VOLUME LXXX.—NO. 179. HART STANDS BY HIS SHIP A Confirmation of the Story Received From Sacramento. THE MYSTERY AGAIN SEEN AT THE CAPITAL. It Makes Its Appearance in the Company of the Decep- tively Brilliant Venus. JOKERS MAKE GENEROUS PUR- CHASES OF FIRE BALLOONS. More New and Interesting Particulars Regarding the Local Invention Given by the Ex- Attorney-General. Either the reputed airship is one of the most gigantic hoaxes of the age, or it is one of the most wonderful advances made in mechanical science, and is the solution of the great problem of aerial locomotion which has enlisted the inventive genius of many centuries. Whichever it ultimately proves to be, the subject is to-day the all-engrossiug topic. Greetings are tuned to this key; heated arguments are evolved out of it; wAagers are laid, and even physical strife has been engendered over the question whether or not there realiy exists a successful aerial traveler. Though there were many new and interesting developments yesterday, nothing has yet been brought to light that definitely and conclusively solves the mystery, and speculation continues as absorbing as for the past week or more. : Attorney-General Hart in an interview fully confirmed his interview of the day before and added much interesting information to the first statement be made. Among other things he substantiated thé first reports concerning the airship which came from Sacramento by affirming on the authority of the inventor that the airship was actuaily over Sacramento when the people there claimed to have seen it. Sacramento, accurding to reliable witnesses, was again visited by the aerial vision last night, which put Venus into the shade by the more brilliant glow of its lights. . Considerable spoét was enjoyed by practical jokers last night in dispatching fire balloons skyward, but they had no'more the appearance of the alleged lights of the aerial mystery than the dull glare of a candle resembles that of an incandescent light. Venus again beguiled people at som= points, but her deceptive charms have evi- dently been shorn of much of their power by the publication of the story of how people had Leen mistaking her for ber earthly and more interesting rival. HART CONFIRMS THE STORY FROM SACRAMENTO. General Hart was as reticent yesterday as on the day previous regarding the iden- tity of the reputed airship’s inventor or his whereabouts, but was more definite in his statements as to the identity of the flying machire, whose secrets are now reposing in . his breast. His words were the first uttered by any relisbie person positively con- .necting the invention in his charge with the peregrinating lights seen in the heavens &1 various places during the past week. “As I stated before,”” said the ex-Attorney-General, ‘I have not mysel! seen the machine in action or at rest, and I cannot at this time reveal the names of the persons connected with its invention and construction for the reasons already stated. You know the idea now is not to get it patented, but to use it for war purposes. “Ido know, however, that it made a flight last night and was seen at East Oak- land by alady, Mrs, Taylor, the wife of W. J. Taylor, who isa bookkeeper and who lives in East Oakland. Sbhe saw not only the lights, but an outline of the ship. It was also seen by others in the same locality. I do not know what the movements of the machine are to be at any particular time, but I was told by my client that I would not:see him again for some days, as he intended to make experimental trips with his uveantion right along for some time.” ‘““People are inclined to be skeptical, general,” remarked the reporter, ‘‘of the existence of the machine and expect come statement from you definitely connecting the lights alleged to have been seen traveling the air with the invention now in your charge.” *'So far as the public is concerned,” smilingly replied the attorney, *‘we do not care what they think of the matter. in fact, we would rather they believed it a thing of fancy. We are not asking the public for anything and do not propose to do so, and therefore don’t propose to take them 1nto our confidence.” ‘‘But your reputation is more or less at stake 1n view of the statements pubiished in the newspapers and for which you have become sponsor."’ “Well, all I can say on that score is that the inferview with me as published in THE CALL is absolutely correct in every particular, and I will add this on the authority of a statement made to be by the inventor: He told me he actually went over Sacra- mento at the time the peovle there claimcd to have seen the airship. The inventor bas now practically decided to follow my advice to maintain as much secrecy as pos- sible, and consequently I don’t want 10 go into particulars about it.” “Where was it put together? Was it not 1n the vicinity of Oroville?” “That is a question I do not care to answer.” You have stated that you are satisfied the inveution is a success ?” “Yes. I bave implicit confidence in it and that it is like the one I :aw in New Jerse twenty rods.” “Did Dr. E. H. Beniamin assist in the construction of the machine?"’ I don’t know Dr. Benjemin, and don’t know whether he did or not."” “From what do you derive your confidence in the airship; trom having seen it in actual operation, from a view of it at rest or simply from hayin “I have seen the plans. wiil be a success.” “What do you mean by being completed 2"’ “When it is completed for the purpose for which it is now intended to utilize it— for war purposas. It would drown everybody in it if it were to fall over a body of water as it is now built.” “What are the other weak points that the inventor is try trial flights?”’ *From what I uaderstand it has to be able to carry power enough to maintain itself in the air for a certain number of consecutive hours, say about six. It can now maintain itself for six hours, but not against the wind. To sail against the wind or at angles to it more power is'required than to go with it. Then it lands too quickly. There is no provision for maintaining it in the air when the power gives out.” *‘Is it not possible that people frequently take the planets, such as Venus, and Jupiter, which now appear very clearly in the sky, for the airship?” “In all probability, Tne alrship sometimes displays one light and sometimes fhree. These lights are under control and can be nsed as desired by the person man- aging the airship. I have no doubt that you will have ample and unmistakable evi- dence of tLe existence of the invention in a féw days. The machine will be made plain to the public, though my advice is to keep the details of its constructicn secret.” How this evideuce was to be presented the general did, not say, but allowed it to be understood that the machine would be brought so close to the earth’s surface that its shape would be plainly distinguishable, as well as the lights that are now seen. Picking up some telegrams, General Hart called attention to the widespread and deep intersst the reports of the flizhts of the aerial wonder have created.” *Here are telegrams from two New York papers,”’ he said, “‘asking me to confirm the reports telegraphed East about the invention. Oune of them asks for 500 words, but all I ghall say in answer is that I believe the airship will be a success and that the inventor in- sists on secrecy, and Las nothing more to say at present.’’ : . t a success, because it is very ¥y and which I witnessed make a flight of fifteen or ng seen the plans?” I have no doubt that when the machine is completed it ing to perfect by these Mars ANRRY AW A\ > §: \ \ M A PRICE FIVE CENTS. - T i mU:‘_ B G =% i o x U T o W DNl D = oog i3k UNCLE SAM-—-If you will excuse me, gentlemen, I will help Major McKinley first. ALL SACRAMENTO AGAPE. Thousands Confdent the Alrship Mystery Made Another Visit. SACRAMENTO, CaL., Nov. 25.—Again the mysterious gerial visitant made its appearance over this city this evening, and within a few brief moments the entire city was in an uproar of excitement. The floating searchlight was plainly | visible to all the gazing thousands, and it so timed its arrival as to appear at the same time that Venus, the brilliant even- ing star, was illuminating the heavens. The onlookers found that a marked differ- ence existed between Venus and her strange aerial competitor. This difference consisted not only in the marked color of the lights, but also in the size of the two Ligats. Large and brilliant as is Venus, queen-of the heavens, the light shown by the mysterious aerial visitant proved to be fully three times as large. When the searchlight of the winged visitor first appeared it was seen moving rapidly from the northeast and heading in a southwesterly direction. Asitneared the southern boundary of the city it turned directly toward the west and after passing the city went south, being ais- tinetly visible for upward of twenty min- utes. It moved with far more rapidity astonished. During the past week he has been inclined to laugh at the theory that aerial navigation had been accomplished, and in speaking of the subject after the disappearance of the visitant he said: “I am simply astonished, and will not attempt to give any explanation of this mystery. The light is certainly produced | by electricity or magnesia, and can by no possibility be a staror a meteor. Again, there were seconds when 1t flickered and disappeared entirely from view, exactly as [ have time after time observed ordinary arc lights to do when the current was in- terrupted. “In my judgment it certainly rezembled an extra large arc light, and it moved so Tapidly that I was obliged to repeatedly n view over the intercepling buildings. Tam not prepared to say it is an airship, although it certainly looked as though attached to a bedy of some kind. I can | only say that I am thoroughly convinced neither a star nor a fake.” District Attorney Frank D. Ryan viewed | the visitor for the first time. After ex- pressing his astonishment he muttered: “And there will be strange sights seen in the heavens. Wars and rumors of wars. I shall certainly attend church to-morrow, EX-ATTORNEY-GENERAL W. H. H. HARY. than it bad been seen to do in its two former visits, and this would be accountea for in case it be a veritable airship by the fact of the calmness of the atmosphere, there being not a breath of wind moving at the time of its first appearance. Later in . the evening it again ap- proached the city from the west, having evidently made a circle, and passed away to the north and east, thus completing the circuit of the city and aliowing nearly all the residents a perfect view of the mysterious visitant. There were many, however, who failed to leave their houses in time to catch a glimpse of the swifily moving light and who, when they did reach the open and gazed up into the ethereal vault, saw nothing but Venus; but the vast majority saw both—Venus and the moving searchlight. Among t.e numerous groups gazing skyward this evening was one composed mainly of State officials and prominent lawyers of the city, and their expressions of amazement and, in cases, intense chagrin were very plainly expressed, often in vigorous though perhaps not eloquent or refined Saxon. Hon. E. D. McCabe, secretary to Gov- ernor Budd, was one of this group, and as it was the first time he had witnessed the mysterious light he was correspondingly for this may be the advent of the millen- nium.” Then laughing he said: *That thing is too deep for me. I don’t understand It. It might be that aerial travel has been accomplished. It seemsas strange and improbable as were the inven- tions of the telephone, phonograpk and electric power as applied 10 streetcars,”” George A. McCalvy, Deputy Secretary of itate, said: “I confess I am simply amazed, for ever since the first appear- ance of the reputed airship I have been a most pronounced skeptic. Attorney Col- lins of San Francisco is af intimate friend of mine, and I must confess that I have experienced considerable amusement by interviewing him by ’phone since his reported connection with the air vessel. In the language of the day, ‘I have done many things to Attor- ney Collins,” but you may put me on record as saying that I am now fully con- vinced that there is more truth than poetry in the old adage ‘that he laughs best who lsugbs last.” This light is cer- tainly no fake and I am almost tempted {o belicve that the problem of aerial travel ved.”! 4 % J. A. Donlon, Assessor of Ventura County, was one of the onlookers. It re- quired considerable persuasion to induce him to cross the street to catch a glimpse | early in the morning—about 8 o’clock as :rd | step back seversl feet in order to keep it i that it isa mystery and in my judgment | of the mysterious visitant, but the look of incredulity quickly left his fac: and he |said: “This simply passes my under- | standing. That is certainly no star, and | T won’t attempt to offer any explanation.” Professor Dodge of Galt, who is in at- tendance on the Teachers’ Institute, now in session, saw the light and declared that he could distinguish the outlines of a dark body connected with it, but so indistinctly as to be unable o give any idea of its shape. Judge W. A. Henry was also an inter- ested spectator, and also proclaims it not a fake, but 4 reality. Charles T. Jones, the attorney, was a spectator, but firmly declined to give any to say that he thought it was neither a star, a meteor nor a fake. W. R. Btone of the Secratary of State’s office was also deeply interested in the moving mystery. He said: “It looks like an arc light and moves as though attached to some kind of a vessel, and is certainly neither a lantarn attached to a kite nor any other kind of a fake that I can imagine. stumped to find an explanation of the mystery other than that it may be an air vessel.” Such were the expressions of but a few of some of the leading men of note in this city, and thero were hundreds who stood in close proximity to these few and who uttered similar sentiments. Lieutenant Fred Martin, commander of the Signal Corps, who was an onlooker, said: “It simply passes all explanation, and I am fully convinced this is no fake. This afternoon two gentlemen, Messrs. Haines and Fleehart, came into my office about 4 o'clock and told me that they had just seen the airship moving over the city in anortheasterly direction. They described it as a dark, misty object, traveling at an enormous height, yet visible against the ciear blue of the ether. Idid not pay very much attention to their story at the time, as I was inclined o think they might have seen a cloud, but they were evidently much in earnest in their deliberations and said that no clouds were visible and that the dark object moved with great rapid- ity. Now that I have seen this mysteri- ous light coming from the same direction i which they saw it going, I am rather | inclined to believe that they have been eye-witnesses of some mysterious air ves- sel.” |"DR. BENJ —_—— AMIN DISAPPEARS The Friend of the Inventor Changes His Place of Residence. Dr. E. H. Benjamin, formerly of 633 Ellis | street, who is reputed to have considerable | knowledge of the airship, bas apparently | aisappeared, and as mysteriously as the | «ht that so many thousands have seen the heavens. For two years past Dr. Benjamin had | rented the frout roont of this indging- | house from E. H. Keiser, but yesterday | the furniture, carvets and household fix- tures were disposed of under the auc- tioneer’s hammer. Where Mr. Keiser and his tenants have gone was not stated, nor was there a reason given except one given | in the spirit of fun by a pretty brunette, who said: * “We have had to move for our self-pro- tection. You see, since that airship story has been afloat, the representatives of the _press have been calling here at all times of the day and night to see and interview Dr. Benjamin. Why, some of them have camped upon the front steps until. 4 not been personally known to the police no doubt the officers would have sus- pected that there was trouble in the house. Our house has become an object of curiosity to every one who passes, and dozens have stopped and looked up to the windows as though they expected to see the windows open and an airship or two fly out, and all because the name of Dr. Benjamin has been connected with the airship story.” “Where is Dr. Benjimin to-day?’ was asked of the lady, but before she could answer the glib- tongued auctioneer chipped in and said: “‘He has gone 10 get where he will marry her.” P After the parties had joked to their cwn apparent satisiaction they gave this in- formation. Dr. Benjamin Jeit the house opinion as to what the light was, except | I must confess that I am | o'clock in the morning, and if they had | nis airship ana take this lady to Europe, | near as they could judge. He said that he would be back at noon, but he failed to return. Before leaving he packed up all his ef- fects in trunks, which the aucticneer and bis assistars moved into a back room there to wait until the owner should re- turn. Those who moved his effects found in his room some refuse copper which fur- nished food for comment for a long time. These consisted of a lot of copper oups about the size of ferules for small canes. As these to some extent resem- the end of blasting -fuse, it was suggested that the little cups were a part of the ma- terigl to be used, as Attorney Hart sug- gested, for thedestruction of Havana. The romance of these little pieces of | brass was shattered, however, when it was | learned that Dr. Benjamin has been ex- parimenting upon: continuous bridge- work for teeth and these little cups were the crowns for rows of artificial grinders. Many of these cups were taken away by the auctioneer’s assistants for souvenirs, but upon being told that they were only unfinished store teeth the men tossed | tneir copper cups into the street in dis- gust. Dr. Benjamin did not return during the afternoon or evening and although in the evening a dim light was to be seen in one of the rooms no response was made to a i call at the door. In truth the door bell | was fastened on the inside. Thus Dr. | Benjamin aisappeared. Whether his | effects have been removed or not is a mat- | ter of conjecture. In connection with the movements of Dr. Benjamin there is oue: incident that apparently counects him with the in- ventor of the airship. It will be remem- bered that several people who claim to { know much about the new ship of the skies have stated that it was built near Oroville and that its first flight was taken therefrom on the night that the lights were seen in Sacramento. Also that the inventor and owner is or was a wealthy resident of Oroville. The latierstatement was made by Attorney Collins at the time when ex-Attorney-General Hart said that he talked too much. On that occasion Mr. Collins stated that the inventor was brought to him by a client. In-the same interview he acknowledged that Dr. Ben- jamin was his client, Subsequently he said that Dr. Benjamin has wealthy rela- tives in or near Oroville. It was learned last evening that afew days before the appearance of the air- ship’s lights over the Sacramento Valley Dr. Benjamin went to Oroville to see his relations. His visit at that particular time has given rise to some speculation in the mind of Dr. Joseph D. Hodgen, secretary of the State Board of Dental Examiners, of 1005 Sutter street. Last evening Dr. Hodgen said: “I have known Dr. Benjamin for some time. He comes from Maine, I betieve. He is not a regular practicing dentist, but he gives much of his time to experiments in dental work. Of late he has been ‘at work upon continuous plate* bridge - work | in artificial teeth, an idea he got from a dentist irom Oregon. ' “About two weeks ago I met him with his gripsack in his hand ‘on the street, and he told me that he was going to Oro- | ville or Auburn for a week. I am sure, | come to think of it, that it was Oroville and not Auburn. He said that he was going to see his aunt. I have not seen him since. The day I saw him was either on the 17th or the 12th inst. Soon after that I saw the first accounts of the air- ship over the Sacramento Valley.” —_— NEW CONVERTS. Dr. Paulin No Longer a Skeptic on the Alrship Proposition. -That each day is witnessing the conver- sion of many skeptics to the belief that the airship is a verity is shown by the willingness of these doubting individuals to become witnesses to their new faith. Last night Dr. Paulin of 1757 Nineteenth street, East Oakland, took the trouble to telephone his interesting experience to THE CauL. Hesaid: *I never had any faith in the airship untit to-night. About 8 o'clock Judge Horsburgh, a neighbor, called to us and told. us we could see the airship. We The New Champagne Vintage. A remarkable vintage, eliciting universal miration, now belngxlhlp d to this coun- s 8 G, H. Mumm’s Extra Dry. Tryit. bled percussion caps, such as are used on | looked out anda saw above us what ap peared to be a group of four or five lights and above them was outlined some- thing which had the form of a whale. It was moving toward the City. Then it changed its course toward Sausalito, and swerved again toward the City and soon went out of sight.” A night watchman at North Berkeley says that he saw the light Tuesday night distinctly, and watched it while it trav- eled from San Pablo and crossed over un- til it was back of the high hills of Berke- ley. This may give some indefinite sort | of a clew concerning the place where the alleged airship may be in hiding during the day, so this man thought. A noticeable fact connected with the mystery of the alleged airship is that the light which is observed is seen to be tra eling against the wind as ofton as with it. This would not be the case if thelight were carried by a balloon or kite, as a matter of course. PRACTICAL JOKERS. Lighted Balloons Sent Up in Vari= ous Parts of the City. ‘Toy balloons were sent soaring upward with hot air for a motor from several places along Market street last night. The wind was brisk, and when once the bal- loons were above the roofs they traveled along steadily and naturally attracted some attention. Soon, however, the fuel which gave them motion consumed the balloon. There was no one who was stupid enough to believe for a moment that any such proposition as that had been sufficient at any time to de- ceive the many who have ascribed to the mysterious airship the posession of a large electric light. Those who sent up the fire~ balloofis on Market street last night soon tired, observing that little interest was taken in them. Several persons with apparently an idea of having a little fun at the expense of the public went to the top of Nob Hill last evening abont 9:30 o’clock and sent up a hot-air balloon with a Japanese lantern | attached to the bottom. Instead of mounting rapidly to a great height the thing wabbled around and floated off cn the wind over Kearny street toward the bay. For half a mile itscarcely rose 300 feet, and its construction and shape were plainly seen. The people on Kearny street jeered at the fake article flonted over them, and several suggested that Mr. McEvoy of the American De- tective Agency had changed his’ place of operation from Inspiration Point, near Piedmont, to Nob Hill, S8an Francisco. A loczal fireworks company reported to-day that they had been doinga big balloon business within the last few days.. In fact they have sold more of this kind of fireworks within a week than they have since the Fourth of July. Purchases have been made by pecple from Alameda, Hay- wards, Fruitvale, Oakland, Berkeley and San Francisco. . AGAINST FAKERS. A Vigilance Committee Formed in the Misslon District. Public interest in the airship is growing every day and with witless practical jokers people have no patience. The prevalence of small hot-air balloons, carrying dingy lights across the darkened heavens, imposing on the credulity of per- sons looking for an aerial wanderer, has led to the forming of a vigilance commit- tee. The committee is at present composed of but four members—James Peoples, Ed Perley, Gus Skelly ana N. L. Peoples, and 1s known as the Mis- sion Dolores Vigilance Committee. Al- though the organization has but few mem- bers each member is capable of making ic thoroughly interesting forany man caught |in the act of releasing a miniature gas- bag. The most enthusiastic member is James Peoples, the captain, who measures about six feet four inches and is built in proportion. He is looking for and is anxious to meet a practical joker ‘with a balloon under his arm. Then the trouble would commence. “We take an occasional trip to Twin Peaks in search of balloon men,’’ said Mr. Peoples, last evening, “‘but as yet we have not captured one. “If we do find one all four of us (we measure all together something like twenty-four feet six inches) will jump ail walbo, 1 i raleds ol P A {