Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Cole, Hiram H. 1896
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Sandy Heintzelman sheintz@iserv.net December 14, 2014, 11:59 am

Belding Banner, 2 Jul 1896

Dashed to Death.

Aeronaut Cole Formerly of Belding Killed Last Sunday Evening.

Three years ago a young man by the name of Cole was a resident of Belding, was
employed in the factories of this city.  At that time young Willard Thayer, the
balloonist, who is now doing time for stealing, made his headquarters here, and
Cole getting the idea in his head that he would like to try an ascension,
succeeded in coaxing Thayer to let him make the attempt.  Under Thayer’s
direction he made his first ascension which was a success, although he hesitated
rather dangerously long before making the parachute drop.  As soon thereafter as
he could raise funds enough to procure a balloon he became “Prof.” Cole, the
aeronaut, and has made his headquarters since at Lakeview and Big Rapids.  The
circumstances of his unfortunate and untimely end are described by the Grand
Rapids Herald as follows:

Hiram H. Cole, an aeronaut who has been giving balloon ascensions at North Park,
fell from his balloon while making an ascension about 7 o’clock, Sunday evening.
 He died at 8:45 without regaining consciousness.  Cole himself seemed to think
the ascension was more than usually hazardous, but decided that he must fulfill
his contract.  The balloon started out all right, but when it rose above the
pavilion it was blown against the corner of the switchback, dragging Cole off
the trapeze on which he was making the rise.  He fell to the ground, a distance
of about thirty feet, landing on his head and shoulders.  A large crowd was
witnessing the ascent and the aeronaut was immediately carried to the unselect
and made as comfortable as possible in the large dining room.  Dr. Read of the
Soldiers’ home was immediately called but could render no aid and death occurred
as stated above.  Cole resided at Big Rapids, where he had a wife and one child.
 He was 26 years of age and had been making balloon ascensions for several
years.  The physicians were unable to tell whether Cole’s neck was broken, but
it is probable that it was.

Two of Cole’s sisters were employed here and left Monday for their home.  The
parents reside at Lakeview.


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