Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 64, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 March 1916 — RUBBERING AT PHANTOM AERIAL CRAFT A PASTIME [ARTICLE]

RUBBERING AT PHANTOM AERIAL CRAFT A PASTIME

Joker Enlivened Things at Lafayette With Toy Balloon That Started . a Fire. ~~Somy practical- joker in an effortto imitate the mysterious aerial stranger whom people say they have seen flitting about through the heavens over Lafayette during the past few weeks, set fire to the home of Robert H. McGrath Monday night. Hundreds of people who have been keeping their eyes focused on the heavens in an effort to get a glimpse of the alleged airship, felt sure shortly after seven o’clock that they saw the wierd object. A practical joker endeavoring to get in on the fun sent up a toy balloon. It sailed over the city and hundreds gazed at it. All at once there seemed to be an explosion and a ball of fire descended toward mother earth. In a very short time the fire bell sounded and companies 1, 2 and 4 were summoned to the McGrath home. The roof had ignited, and what is believed to have been seme excelsior was found on the roof.