Forbes Ascends

This image was published in the Indianapolis Star on June 6, 1909 as part of the paper's coverage of the June 5, 1909 national balloon championship hosted at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The photo shows publishing millionaire and balloonist A. Holland Forbes ascending in his entry, the New York. Forbes was the first scheduled starter in the national championship event. In the basket with Forbes is his assistant Clifford Harmon. The balloon in the background may be Carl Fisher's entry the Indiana because he was scheduled to start second behind Forbes. Forbes, because of his daring and experience as well as the unique cloth-rubber layered design of his balloon was the pre-race favorite of many experts.