Charles Howard was an aeronaut and jeweler who made balloon ascensions in the Southwest an
He arrived in Bakersfield, California as a small boy and learned the jeweler's business [2][6]. Later becoming an aeronaut, he made about thirty balloon ascensions in total, including four in Bakersfield [2][6]. Howard was engaged to perform at the old settlers reunion on the Gila on August 21, 1891 [4], and had made an ascension in Silver City in July 1891 [3]. On a Sunday in early September 1891, while ascending at Guaymas, Mexico, the balloon burst at about 500 feet; unable to free his parachute, he fell onto a house and died about three hours later [2][5][1]. He was buried at Guaymas [2].
Sources
- Charles Howard, the aeronaut, who made… (1891)Charles Howard, the aeronaut, who made the balloon ascension at this place in July last, was killed at Guaymas, Mexico, a week ago last Sunday. The following account of the accident is from the Bakersfield, Cal…
- Postmaster Ober received a letter this morn-… (1891)Postmaster Ober received a letter this morn- ing from the United States consul at Guaymas, Mexico, announcing that Charles Howard was killed there last Sunday, in making a balloon ascension. When about 500 feet hi…
- Silver City Enterprise — 1891 (full OCR, Internet Archive) — 1891-09-11 (1891)l. Galloway the editor was on hand taking notes. Charles Howard, the aeronaut, who made the balloon ascension at this place in July last, was killed at Guaymas, Mexico, a week ago last Sunday. The following…
- Prof… (1891)Prof. Chas. Howard, the balloonist, has been engaged to make a balloon ascension anc parachute jump at the old settlers reunion on the Gila, August 21. The professor has wired thal he will be there, which will…
- Silver City Enterprise — 1891 (full OCR, Internet Archive) — 1891-09-11 (1891)ll commence work at the John Gray ranch at the head of the valley and work north. The north wagon will commence at Scott Vv^hite’s ranch and work north along the foothills to Heaton and Renaud’s ranch ; t…
- Silver City Enterprise — 1891 (full OCR, Internet Archive) — 1891-09-11 (1891)as. Howard came to Bakers- field when a small boy and learned the jewel- er’s business. Of late he has been making balloon ascensions, and has been very success- ful in them. He made four here a short time …