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and then started back and headed straight for the fair grounds and succeded in making a landing without difficulty. 
We decided to give a public exhibition at the fair grounds as public interest indicated a very good patronage would result. There was six gates through which the public could pay admission to the grounds, and had friends of ours as ticket seller and ticket takers. Admission was 25 cents and our announcement stated that the flight would take place promptly at three oclock. The public thinking they would have ample time started for the grounds at 2:30. Consequently, there was ajam on both the streetcars and the streets, as well as horses and buggies. Promptly at three oclock I started the flight, as soon as I cleared the tree tops I could see thousands of people in the streets below, trying to get through the gates. I should have waited until everybody had paid their admission, but thinking I would make good my promise to fly promptly at three oclock, I made the mistake of keeping this promise and started off on time. We collected at 25 cents a head, a little over $2,800 in just twenty minutes, from this we knew the airship would be a highly paid attraction. With this in view we decided to solicit the Ohio State Fair at Columbus. 

SKEPTICAL FAIR MANAGERS
In the early days an aeronaut had to be a showman as well as an air skipper. If he did not know the technique of barnstorming and the temperment of fair officials he was simply out of luck. 
Strobel felt that we would be fortunate if we could contract for $1,000 per week, I was certain we could get $5,000.
To make the test we visited Columbus together. He solicited the