The Woodville Republican, and Wilkinson advertiser., 1853-12-20
Extraordinary Ascension in a
Balloon. . GA

FROM THE SAN FRANCISCO HERALD OF AUG. 20
Daring and Probable Fatal ascent of a
Youh.-Y esterday was delightful day, and
hundreds of persons repaired to Oakland, on
the opposite side of the Bay, attracted by the
announcement of grand balloon ascension,
as well as by the desire to enjoy the country
air. Three steamers piled between the city
and that place. carving over full compli-
ment of passengers at every trip, During the
early part of the day the visitors amused
themselves in strollng through the pleasant
groves of Oakland, whilst the process Of infat'
ing the balloon slowly progressed, under the
management of Mr.. Kelley, who was to have
made the ascent. The balloon, with the ne-
cessary apparatus, was confhed in small
yard on Third street, near Broadway, and was
open to the inspection Of ALI 1t was a fine
silk one, Of large dimensions, not less thatl
forty feet in circumference. The process Of
initiation was very tedious and uninteresting,
and the spectators, after waiting some hours
came to the conclusion tlie ascension would
be failure To relieve the monotony, small
pioneer balloons were sent otf at intervals,
and Voluntary collection was taken up for
the benefit of Mr.. Kelley.
At halfpast three o'clock the balloon was d
little more than half filed with gas, and il
was announced that Mr. Kelley was about to
undertake the voyage. A dense crowd col
lected around the balloon, and the aerial yoy-
aoer took bis seat in the car, whieli was re-
leased from its confinement, and away went
the balloon, not into the upper air but along
tile street in southeastery direction, banging
Mr.. Kelley against the grohnd in anything
but an agreeable manner, and knocking up
quite dust until it was captured, Mr.. Kelley
retaining his position in the car. A man Of
lighter weight then took his seat, and another
atteptut was made, but with no better success
In its progress along the ground the balloon
| came in contact with the limbs of'a tree but
escaped uniniured. In order to lessen the
| weight as is presumed, the car was taken of
the hoop, and a small board was placed across
from one side of the hoop 70 the other, and
tied fast. Upon this man Of still less weight
took his seat. end was carried a few feet from
the Ground, distance Of some fifteen or TWEEN
tv yards BY this time the e@eursion was
looked upon as a good farce, and OF course
total failure. Several persons approaching
lbe fun, asked TO be permitted 10 take ride
supposing as matter Of course, it would be
only for few yards. Among them was .
youth of sixteen years Of age, named Joseph
Gates, known. by the familiar appeiation Of
"ReaJy." lie had gone to Oakland TO sell
oranges-his ayocation--and was in for all
kinds Of sport. Without reflection, lie was
told to jump in. Turning to his companion
he handed his basket Of oranges to him, and
asking him to hold them, Immediately strad
died the-board which had been fastened to the
hoop of the balloon. Those e'who bad hold o
it then let il 90, and it moved slowly upward
the weight Of the boy depressing the hoop On
one side, and throwing his back against the
ropes which attached the hoop to the balloon
bis legs hanging suspended in the air, Al
he was about rising Mr.. Kelley called out tc
him to pull the valve-rope when lie wanted
to come down. He took hold of it and ap
peared to be either making it fast or pulling
at il with a view to descend, when some
the boys cried out for him TO 90 on. He ther