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grounds of the State House. When I was within a mile of the State House the motor stopped. The altitude was about 1000 feet above the city, with no power and floating with the breeze, with an audience of at least 100,000 people. They were expecting me to continue the flight which had been advertised as "a call on the Governor."
The only thing that could be done was land with the breeze, drop the anchor in a wire sign and come to a standstill on the roof of the Eldridge and Higgins building. After filling the tank with new lubricating oil, the motor was started and the flight resumed.
This little motor had a cost over six hundred dollars. It was supposed to develop the horsepower and to be reliable. Motors in the early days were uncertain, but this one was sufficiently satisfactory even though it stopped often without any apparent cause.
It was giving good power now and we were approaching our destination. The only spot on which a landing could be made was quite limited in size and any misjudgement would mean a landing in the trees, with the possibility of a rip in the balloon which would terminate the flight. Passing over the old Neil House we reached the State house ground without difficulty, I breathed a sigh of great relief. Four of my crew on hand to take charge of the ship, and I asked them to examin the machine carefully while I made my call.
I was escorted to the office (Crossout) of the Governor and was introduced to him. He looked me over, up and down. I knew that I musthave been spotted with oil from the motor and apologised for my appearance. We both laughed and he inquired about my father. He then introduced me to Sam Flickinger, the first