Woodville Republican., 1853-12-20
Extraordinary Ascension in a
Balloon.

FROM THE SAN FRANCISCO HERALD OF AUG. 29
DARING and Probable Fatal ascent Of a
! Youh.-Ye yesterday vas delightful day, aud
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 strolling through the pleasant
groves of Oakland, whilst the process Of infiat-
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 confined in small
ward on Third street, near Broadway, and was
open to the inspection Of all. 1t was fine
silk one, of large dimensions, not less than
forty feet in circumference. The process of
initiation was very tedious and uninteresting,
and the spectators, after waiting some hours,
came to the conclusion the ascension would
be failure. To relieve the monotony, small
pioneer balloons were sent off at intervals,
and a voluntary collection was taken up for
the benefit of Mr.. Kelley.
At half-past three o'clock the balloon was
little more than half filed with gas, and it
was announced that Mr.. Kelley was about to
undertake the voyage. A dense crowd col
lected around the balloon, and the; ;asrlaisvoy-
ager took his seat in the car, which was re-
leased from Its confinement, and away went
the balloon, not into the upper air butsalong
the street in southeasterly direction, banging
Mr. Kelley against the ground in anything
hut an agreeableamanner, and knocking up
quite dust until it was captured, Mr.. Kelley
retaining his position in the car man OF
lighter weight then took his seat and another
attempt was made, but with no better success.
In its progress along the ground the balloon
came in contact with the limbs of tree, but
escaped uniniured In order to lessen the
WEIGHT as Is presumed, the car was takensof
the hoop, and small board was pseeed across
from one side of the hoop to the other,and
tied fast Upon this man of still less weight
took his seat End was carried few feet from
the ground, distance of some fifteen or twen-
ty wards. BY this time the excursion was
looked upon as good faree, and Of course
a total failure. Several persons appreciating
the fun, asked to be permitted to take ride,
supposing as a matter Of course, il would be
only for a few yards. Among them was a
youth of sixteen years of age, named Joseph
Gates. known by the familiar aPpeliation OF
@Ready." lie had gone to Oakland to sell
oranges-his ayocation-and was IN tor all
kinds Of sport Without reflection, he was
told to lump in. Turning to his companion
he handed his basket Of oranges to lriin, and
asking him to hold them, Immediately strad-
dlel the board which had been fastened to the
boop of the balloon. Those who bad hold OF
il then let it 60, and II 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,
his legs hanging suspended in the air. As
he was about rising Mr.. Kelley called out to
him to pull the yslse-rope when he wsnsed
to como down. He took hold Of Il and aP-
peared to be either making il fast OF pulling
al il with view to descend, when some Of
the boys cried out for him to 80 on. Hsthsn