Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1854-06-21
BALLOON ASCENSION.

A great crowd Of lookers-on assembled within
the Palace TO witness the performance. The re-
suit of the ascension was quite satisfactory, so
far as the going up went. In descending, how
ever, Mr. Wise had narrow escape.
As the balioan left the Palace courtyard, Mr..
Wise was loudly cheered Until he became in
visible, and the balloon became speck in the
clouds, the American flag waved by Wise was
discernable. The height Of about 10000 feet
was the greatest altitude obtained. The balloon
became invisible at 3. Is, re.appeared at 8. 20,
descended out of view at 3. 40. A telegraphic
despatch was received at the Palace by Mr..
Batchelder, to the effect that the balloon was
seen from Bridgeport at 4. 90 Mr.. Wise reach
cd the Crystal Palace at 8. 80 p. M, where he
gave statement of his experiences.
Mr.. Barnum, in introducing Mr. Wise, stated
that the Geographic despatch received in the Pal
ace, although doubts were entertained to the
contrary, was strictly correct, as in all probable
ity the balloon was by that time at Boston, i
not further east.
Mr. Wise said that though not "Old Knick"
himself, as Mr. Barnum suggested had arrived,
yet he had very serious fears when he left this
planet of ours, that he was on voyage of dis
covery to the sable gentemen's" dominions, as
as he experienced on no other occasion the same
sensations. In consequence of the very great
velocity of the ascent, he felt much alarm that
he would not be able to arrest the progress of
the balloon, which fear was much increased up
on finding his course oceanward. After great
exertion he caused sufficient gas to escape to be
able to determine his whereabouts, which was
in the neighborhood of Flushing. Owing to the
disarrangement Of the car, Mr.. w., when within
30 feet Of the ground, was thrown on the out
side, and chung to one of the hoops, his Crap
ping irons not taking sufficient hold whereup.
on, knowing that the ascent would be from 1000
TO 1900 feet in minute, he relinquished his
hold, and fell as he said, on what seemed to be
mattresses prepared for him" but what was, in
reality, the soft and humid soil northwest of
Flushing. The only injury he sustained was
the loss Of a molar tooth, occasioned by his
mouth coming in contact with his knee in the
fall In the meantime, the balloon sped on its
course eastward, and should it be recovered Mr..
w. promised to make another ascent on Tues.
day next In any case, he will do So as one will
be supplied for the OCCASION IN. Y. Times.
CARD FROM MIR. WISE.
We have received from Mr.. WISE the follow
ing official account of the Ascension:
Crystal Palace, New York, June 9, 1854.
To the Editor of the N. Y. Daily Times
made my one hundred and sixty-third Assem-
sion yesterday, from the court yard of the Crys-
tai Palace, at 81 o'clock. The day was squally,
and it was necessary TO start with strong as
cending force so as to overcome the obstacles
surrounding me. This created sensation when
gave the word "let her 60" as though had
been projected by the force of gunpowder. In a
few minutes entered the clouds. The balloon
was still swaying to and fro like furious ele-
plant. All around me there appeared nothing
but deep twilight, of an ashy hue. In another
moment the sun family showed its disc through
the milky vapor. Rejecting that as | entered
the clouds the ocean was lashing the long bound
shore with its angry pillows, | was not content
to stay in the cloud country long. All the time
| had the valve open, but not until had emerg-
ed out of the clouds above did | restrain the
upward bounds of the wild aerial ship. Above
| saw over batch of clouds the surf of the
ocean dashng its spray into the clouds as it
were. AT last the ascending power was over
come and the bills that was throwing over
board kept my company in the descent. When
got below the clouds again | saw Flushing
little eastward. The descent now became rap
id, and the strong wind below admonisbed me of
rough landing. In another moment my grap-
pie took effect The jar broke some of the rig
gng the grapple ripped up the sod, and the bal
loon bounded several hundred yards. Next the
car was dashed forcibly into ravine, and bolted
me out. | held on to the outside. The ballast
being also thrown out, gave the balloon increas-
ed power. She rose the length of the rope,
while was hanging fast to the car In mo-
ment the grappe again ripped up the sod, and,
seeing my predicament, that of being hauled up,
with moral certainty that could not secure
myself to the car long, made the fearful
plunge of at least 40 feet into the salt meadow,
knocking out one of my teeth and slightly
bruising my jaw. The ballon dashed off keep
ing the direction of the Island, and / shall re-
ward any person who will return it to me in
time to 90 up on Tuesday next, from the Crys-
tai Palace. Yours truly, JOHN WISE.
FATAL Acc1DENT.-When the steamer Mich
igan was nearing the landing at Sand Creek on
Monday last, man by the name of Quigley,
resident of Tallmadge, was standing upon n
scow attached to the shore with the intention of
getting aboard the steamer. He jumped for her
guards as she approached, but being a tall man
he struck his head against the deck with such
force ms to knock him back into the water be-
tween the boats. He instantly rose, and catch
ing hold of the guards raised himself so that
when the steamer struck the scow his body was
between them, and he was so crushed that he
died in the course of an hour after the accident.
G. r. Enquirer, l4th.
THE Roll OF THE DEAp.-The N. Y. Tribune
contains an entire list of the passengers by the
ill-fated Powhattan, which ship it will be reco-
otod On ho nct Of au Iareav