Daring Balloonists of Pella and Sioux County in the Gay Nineties
In the Gay Nineties two daring performers from Pella and Orange City thrilled crowds. Vosje sailed his balloon over West and East Market in Pella, performing stunts while hanging from a trapeze and later releasing black smoke from his parachute. Sail Ver Steeg, born in South Pella, wowed Sioux County and Dakota crowds with aero feats after moving to Orange City as a child.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pella
Vosje
Hill
Dale
Vosse
Cornelius Ver Steeg
Matthew Kempkes
Kempkes
Dakota
Sail
Orange City
Balloonist Sail Ver Steeg Flew for Crowds in Dakota
The 19th century balloonist Sail Ver Steeg moved with his family to Harrison Dakota Territory in 1886. He learned ballooning from Professor Ward, endured crashes, and made parachute drops reaching 3100 feet. After a decade he settled into farming, a meat market, carpentry, and public service as Douglas County Sheriff. He later married, raised four sons and two daughters, and remained a local legend among generations who recalled balloon ascents from the 1890s.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Harrison
Dakota Territory
Orange City
Worthington
Minesota
Dakota
Sail
Arie van der Meide
Doug County
South Dakota
Ince
Saya
Ver Stee
Great Falls
Montana
Reasons for Emigration of Hollanders
Scholte claimed the government considered revising the penal code and argued the law was often applied against the constitution. He urged followers to unite for changes and exhaust every effort to obtain support from jurists and the king's reputed liberality, while noting emigration motives and school travels as context.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Holland
The Daring Aeronaut on the Ascension Street Duo
Small boys trotted about the Ascension, distributing bills as the venture in the sky unfolds. The Daring Aeronaut appears in the scene, stirring public interest and curiosity.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Venture
Emigration Talk Fails to Move Dutch Authorities
Dominics Scholte laments underpaying workers and urges emigration as remedy. Discussed sending settlers to Dutch territories in the East Indies or South Africa, but the government shows little interest. Scholte appeals to the King in 1846, yet meets disappointment, with only one ear turned by De Reformatio.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dominics van Raalte
Scholte
America
North America
Schulte
Java
Borneo
East Indies
Netherlands
House of Orange
Dominics Scholte
Heldring
Tropics
Dutch Guiana
South Africa
Schol
de Reformatio
Also Mentioned on This Page
Sail Ver Steeg
Iowa
Professor Ward
W. A. Ward
Towa
Ver Steeg
Mr. Vor Steeg
United States
John Nollen
Sail Ver St
Ps d
Arne van Eckhom
Abraham Goemaat
J. L. Fox
Prof
The
Idle City
Elouda
Aeronaut
Ransoe
Smaite
Vadalta Tutin
Plette
Jaarsma
Sint Nikolaas
H. Jaarsma’s Bakery
East Side Square
Pella, Iowa
Pella Tulip
Tulip Festival
Pella Housekeepers
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!