Look Here
A live Lion up in a balloon!
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My grandmother, Leora Goff Wilson, wrote in her memoir, “One great thing at the county fair was the balloon ascension. It was exciting in the early days. Sometimes the man would have a lion or tiger with him when the balloon went up. He would release the animal with a parachute when not far up.“
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I had not been able to confirm her claim about the lion until this 1909 ad:
Come to the Audubon County Fair
Four Days of Fun, Frolic and Fast Races
$500.00
Best Corn Exhibit. Don’t fail to get Fair Book for information, or address
JOHN A. NASH, Superintendent of Corn.
$2,200.00
For Speed Program. This will bring some of the finest
horses in the country and many have already entered
Five Acres Added to Grounds
At a heavy expense to the Association, but which will be a
wonderful convenience to the patrons of the Fair.
Hog, Cattle and Horse Barn
Room is already getting scarce. If you want to exhibit any
of the above don’t fail to procure your space now. No pains
have been spared by the Association to make the best
fair they have ever had, both as to Speed Program and At-
tractions.
Look Here
A live Lion up in a Balloon! What do you think of it? Go-
ing to be an enormous height and descending in a parachute
every afternoon between the hours of two and five o’clock.
Prof. Robinson goes up with the Lion and they come down
in different parachutes.
The Association is negotiating for many other other attractions, but too early yet to
specify just what they will be: but don’t fail to come, take rest yourself and give the
children a holiday of pleasure and profit.
Audubon, Ia., September 21-24
S.C. CURTIS, Sec. G.W. HOOVER, Pres
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From The Audubon Republican, September 2, 1909
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Well, now I believe Grandma’s memory, but it’s hard to believe this was even allowed.
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Leora Goff was 18 that September. She was the first born of the ten children of Sherd and Laura Goff. They rented a farm in Audubon County, NE of the county seat of Audubon. Leora graduated from 8th grade while they lived there.
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She took piano lessons in Audubon and rode a horse to her lessons.
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The Goffs lived in Audubon County only about six years (1906-1911), but some of my favorite Leora stories are from those years. (See Leora’s Early Years)
Once again you share such fun and meaningful stories of times past. Outstanding!
Thanks, Dave. This was a fun surprise!
That is bizarre! I had to laugh because it brought to mind the saying, “When pigs fly!”
I didn’t really believe it until I ran into the ad! Thanks, Janet.
Joy! This is so fun…it’s totally gives “Wizard of Oz” vibes, dear friend! 💝😊💝
Wow, it does, doesn’t it!
😘😘😘
They sent an actual live lion up in a balloon?!
I didn’t believe it either until I found the ad!
Great balls of fire, Joy. 🤩
You bet!
Wow! That is amazing. The things they used to do!!
Bet it’s against the law these days!
When the lion landed dragging a parachute, the crowd probably scattered to avoid being tasty people kabobs. Organizers may have arranged the lion’s landing in a fenced in area, but that wouldn’t be as thrilling! 😁🦁🪂
Let’s hope so, Nancy!
Maybe I could be that angelic space alien up in a balloon with a friendly lion (re: Mitch).
Ah yes, Mitch!
I’m trying to picture this, but I can’t…lol. I wouldn’t want to be the person making sure the lion landed safely, or I hope they considered that!
I can’t either, Denise. It was easier when I thought Grandma didn’t remember right!