Ruby Deveau was a smoke balloonist and parachutist who accumulated 175 exhibition jumps over a 3 yr period. Her first jump was at age 15.

A local Nebraska newspaper recounts one of her adventures:

"The Grace Shannon Balloon Company was the attraction of Lincoln Park again yesterday. This company, it will be remembered, is the on that employees the nervy Ruby Deveau, known as "Queen of the Clouds". Yesterday afternoon she outdid all previous records as to the height of the ascent and furnished an emotional entertainment for over 4000 people, who had come into Tom Hickey' fountain of pleasure. The ascension was noty made untill 5:00 owing to difficulties encountered in getting ready, but by the time the big air ship was cut loose the multitude looked on in wonder. Attached to the balloon were three parachutes, one for Mme. Deveau, one for Professor Krug, and one also for the dog tha took atrip toward the happy hunting ground.

"Prof Krug cut loose first, follwed by the dog and then Mme. Ruby went like a flash through space. At times the big balloon would almost invert and swaying around in midair with the recklessness of an individual who has taken upon hinself a jag. The height reached was estimated at 12,000 feet, and when Mme. Deveau came back to the pack she was congratulated on the success of the acension."--from Nebraska State Journal of Lincoln, NE

Ruby Deveau's last jump resulted in a broken back because she landed on a chimmny. After recovery, she had a career as a legal stenographer.