AIRSHIP CROSSES LAKE MENDOTA AND ATTEMPTS TO STOP IN MADISON

An airship passed over Madison at dusk last evening. It seems to have attracted the most attention in the Seventh ward, where hundreds of people saw it. The interesting aerial craft appeared to come from across Lake Mendota and was traveling almost due south until it reached the city when it veered to a more southwesterly direction. The navigator seemed to be searching for a place to alight, for his craft seemed to vary its speed, and in the vicinity of the city market place, it descended part of the distance toward the earth and appeared to be hovering and hesitating as though the operator _________ the locality with the intention of alighting. However, he perhaps concluded that the place was not desirable, for the ship soon arose to its normal height and continued on its way across the city to the southwest. Among those who declare they saw the visitor are Mrs. N. Starck, 207 North Livington street, Mrs. Malaney, 208 North Brearby, the White girls and two Helmus families in that neighborhood, besides a multitude of children. At first there was doubt as to whether the craft was a balloon or an airship, but after watching for a time the spectators made out great wings of ______