The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-10-08
From the Ohio Statesman.
ERIAL LOG OF WISE,S 124TH VOY.
AGE.

|
MADE FROM COLUMBUS Ono Sept. Is, 1851.
Ascended from Kinney's Museum at
minutes before P. M. with Balloon Ulyss
ses-the car containing Mrs. Wise, Mas.
ter Charles Wise and myself. Atmosphere
calm and clear, with very gentle breeze
from S. w., velocity OF breeze about 10y
miles per hour. AT 20 minutes past we
we were about $500 feet high. Prospect
grand and clear for 80 miles each way
Mrs. Wise and Charles rejoicing in strain
OF excitement, nor far short Of that produ.
ced by inhailing nitrous oxide gas. The
various public buildings-the State Fair
ground disgorging its immense mass Of
animated nature-the crowded city-the
great museum pavilion teeming like bee
hive, with the magnificent scenery all
round, were indeed enough to exhilersts
less excitable minds than my own. II was
with difficulty could restrain my com.
panions from jostling the car to and fro in
their nervous enjoyment. requested
them TO make notes with pencil and paper.
but found this matter too insipid for
their present state Of mind, so had to at
tend TO it myself.
A, 25 min. past 5 | notified my compan.
ions Of landing them and resuming the
voyage alone for the purpose of making
experiments. At 35 min. past landed on
Mr.. Mobiles farm miles from Columbus.
Charles alighled but Mrs. Wise insisted on
reascending with me, but after getting up
3 or 400 feet found could not attain a
height desirable with the weight in charge
so we landed again. and after leaving out
Mrs Wise, reascended alone and attain
ed an altitude Of 10000 feet. entered
stratum of mist-it was highly electrical
agitated by convolutionary air-whirls. In
this mist and above it, every thing in and
about the Balloon became intensely elastic
"a spruseness. if am allowed the term,
pervaded the whole mass that rendered il
quickening and musical. The touching Of
the valve cord produced sounds from the
valve spring like gutar-the cords by
which the car was suspended gave out
sounds like string instrument at every
whrl of the electric medium.
When in the mist, it had the appearance
Of dust, but viewed from above, it had q
dingy and gloomy appearance. II was
distinct stratum several hundred feet thick.
When above it. could see the country ell.
evated above tier of clouds to the south.
east so or 60 miles distant. The condi.
ton Of the atmosphere above. was truly
singular. condition. no doubt, in some
way connected with the long prevailing
drought we have just encountered.
was aloft till sun. set. The SUNSET
scene was grand one. The tops Of the
clouds in the distance was magnifcently
Illuminated and variagated with the colors
fihe rainbow. While viewing this scene
rom over mile high, my attention was
suddenly drawn to a conversation passing
between two individuals. Atfirst thought
t deluslon, but upon close observation,
t proved TO be fact, for could distinctly
lear words, such as 81 don't know" "did
you see him." tried the experiment up.
IN my own voice, and found it to echo
distinctly, which also brought shouts from
PERSONS below; probably from those whose
| heard. This happened
'ver a little stream, at a clear point en-
irely surrounded by woods and Just at
unset. ~
Although the air at this point was only
10 deg, my pulse was quickened to not
ess. judge, than 80 a minute, and my
eins were considerable distended. felt
hat was getting much relief from sick
ess had labored under for several weeks;:
nd now candidly say, that feel per- !.
nanent improvement of health. really ls.-
onishng to myself, and altogether ascrib-.
d to the electrical invigoraiion received
n highly charged atmosphere. This
vas one object in resuming my voyage
fter Mrs. Wise and Charles were landed
While passing through the cold elecy III