ALLEN, Walter A. – Died 1897

ALLEN

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 12/12/2020 at 14:01:10

Source: Decorah Republican Aug. 26, 1897 P 3 C 3

Dropped to Death.
Waterloo, Iowa, Aug. 21.—Walter A. Allen of this place, an employe of Howe’s London circus, was killed last night at Electric park while making a balloon ascension. One thousand spectators saw him die. First he was choked almost to death by a guy rope when 200 feet in the air. Then he fell to the earth, striking on his back on one of the ropes that inclosed the space where the balloon had been filled. Allen’s neck, lower jaw, three ribs, right thigh and left leg were broken. A compassionate woman in the crowd took off her skirt and threw it over his mangled body to shut out the sight from the gaping crowd. A searchlight was kept on the balloon as it soared skyward, so every one had a clear view of the fall. The night before "Professor” Leslie famed for his daring, had fallen a slight distance and broken his leg, and Allen was called upon to take his place. No shadow of the coming event had fallen on the aeronaut, for he bowed and smiled in acknowledgment of the plaudits which greeted his appearance to make the ascension.