Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-11-22
From late London Papers.
ACCIDENT TO MRS. GRAHAM

ACCIDENT TO MRS. GRAHAM.
The balloon ascent from the Flora Tea
Gardens, on Monday afternoon, in which
the Duke of Brunswick accompanied Mrs.
Graham, has been attended, we regret to
state, with serious consequence to Mrs. Gra-
ham.
After q pleasant trip Of upwards of two
hours, the balloon descended in the vicinity
of Brentwood, from what is stated in the
suboined letter of the Duke of Brunswick,
it would appear at 100 rapid rate, and both
the rronauts were thrown out.
The letter, which is very explicit, is ad-
dressed to Captain Curric, who was present
with the Duke when the ascent took place,
and who, with Mr.. Graham, took the dircc-
ton of the balloon, III the hope of meeting
them.
CONVERSE FARM, near Brentwood,
Nine o'clock, =. NJ. Aug. %.
"Nly dear Captain,--Uncertain whether
YOU have or not followed our balloon, with
Mr.. Graham. as you intended, | address
these lines to your house, containing al eX-
act account Of what has happened.
".Atter ascending considerable height,
it appeared to me- as if the balloon suiden-
" became motioness, neither ascending
understanding, and on my inqlring the rca-
son of Mrs. Graham, she replied, that when
she asccndcd with a person who had never
before been with Il balloon, she did no, like
going too high, for fear the effect would be
disagrceablc to him. answered her that |
felt no unpleasant effect whatsoever from
altitude We had attained, and that wished 10
get out OF sight of the earth altogether
Mrs. Graham upon this threw out a con-
siderable quantity of ballast, and We then
asccndcd 10 so high point as completely
to lose sight oftcrra frma, for although |
kept my telescope constantly to my eye,
could perceive that the position in which
We then were was much more agreeable
to me than when the earth was visible; the
car having the appearance of floating on
the clouds, similar to a vessel on the sea-
Mrs. Graham at that moment drew my at
tention 10 a most beautiful appearance in the
clouds, which, by the retraction ofthe suns
rays, gave perfect reflection ofthc balloon
and the car, with ourselves, adding, that
such a phenomenon was most extraordinary
and very seldom witnessed. Much to my
we soon reganed sight Of
the earth, when | again expressed desire
to ascend higher; but Mrs. Graham said she
was afraid we had not sufficient ascending
power to do so that day. She then dis
charged some ballast from the safety bag,
but rather declined to accede to my request
% discharge all its contents, which rendered
is effect very slight, as we remained near
" in equilibrium. Mrs. Graham, my re-
quest, then explained TO me the management
Of the valve of the balloon. Shortly after
wards, asked her ilmy rising on my seat
10 take otfmy great coat would disturb the
balance of the car, but upon her assuring
me it would not, did so, feeling it very
warm.
"From that moment, in my opinion, we
commenced our descent, although Mrs. Gra-
ham thought the contrary, but she was con-
vinced ofhcr error by paper being thrown
out. At this period, Mrs. Graham asked
me if did not feel considerable pain in my
ears, and upon my assuring her of the con-
rary, she said | was possessed ofvery strong
nerves. !, however, soon experienced it
10 very severe degree.
"The balloon at this moment commenced
twisting round like top, in its continued
descent, when Mrs. Graham asked me ilit
was dlsagreea5le, saying it was occasioned
BY our having entered different current Of
air replied that | did not much admire ii, but
that felt no glddness from it. Mrs. Gra-
ham then threw out the grapple on one side
and the salctv.bag on the other, the rope of
which latter was SO short that it KEEP. dang
ing ;.l".,:' !!a,:' = ward Er,nN thc ca:--a