Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 August 1910 — BATTLE IN THE CLOUDS [ARTICLE]

BATTLE IN THE CLOUDS

Pain’s Great Aerial Spectacle At the Indiana State Fair. The most elaborate spectacle ever offered at the Indiana State Fair will be given the week of September 12, when Pain’s new pyro-aero-military display, “Battle in the Clouds” is presented. It will be a big night attraction of the fair, given on and above the infield of the racetrack, where 25,000 people may witness it in comfort. Experience of other years has shown the fair management that the crowds cannot atl be taken care of at the night horse show in the coliseum, and “Battle in the Clouds” been provided to give pleasure to as many thousands as may go to the exposition in the evening. “Battle in the Clouds” undertakes to give a look into the mode of warfare which may prevail in the year 2,000 A. D., when airships, aeroplanes, aerial torpedoes and deadly gas ( grenades become the engines of human conflict. The spectacle will require a stage 400 feet long, behind which will be stretched sceneries reaching to sixty feet in height, showing a progressive city of the time. On its streets will be several hundred men and women in costumes to enjoy a fete day, with processions, sports and acrobatic pastimes. When the fete is at its height, wireless messages bring word of the approach of an enemy’s air fleet, and suddenly the scouting vanguard floats over the city. The forts open fire with electric shells, driving the aerial monsters into retreat, but soon the main fleet advances and opens the attack. The fort and the fleet open a terrific bombardment of fire shells, aerial torpedoes and bursting bombs, filling the heavens with fire, electric flashes and thunderous detonations. Some of the airships are disabled and leave the firing line; one explodes high in the air; another becomes disabled and dashes to the ground, its men escaping in parachutes. The airships bombard the city’s fortifications with high explosives, fire balls and grenades. Battery after battery is silenced And finally the magazine is blown up. Towers and buildings in the city fall and burn and devastation and ruin follows. The spectacle is marked by vividness and thrilling excitement, and Includes elaborate vaudeville and Artworks. \