Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1855-10-12
FearfmI Balloon Ascension.
BALLOON AMERICA, Oct. !. 1855.

CaFkHA DSelAOOA ASCehSlOus
BALLOON AMERICA, Oct !. 1885.
MEssRs EDS. C1NcINNArI GAZETTE:
At the earnest solicitation Of Mons. God
ard, the celebrated Hronaut, your reporter
made another aerial voyage this evening
through the skies We cut loose from the
earth at twenty minutes to six o'clock, the
passengers for this trip being Mons. God
ard, Col. William Latham, General Agent
of the great Miami Railway; Mr.. William
R. Hoai, River Pilot; William C. Crippen,
of the Daily Times, and your Reporter
As we assembled heavenward, the thous-
ands Of human beings on the city lot streets,
houses, &c, were again the first objects Of
attention; then the panoramic view of our
aourishing city, Covington and Newport,
and the Ohio and Licking Rivers.
The sensation experienced in the ascen-
sion was one of updefnable pleasure
Striking current of air, our mammoth bal
loon bore off to the northeast, passing over
Mt. Auburn, Sharon, Lockland and Read
ing. The passengers frequently had chit
chat with the farmers upon political and
other topics, and many amusing incidents
occurred. We were invited down 10 take
tea, to drink of hard cider, and at one time
to come down and wait until the storm ap-
preaching. had passed, all of which were
respectfully declined; and with a fierce
rushing our monster globe hurried US above
the clouds. Previous to darkness gather
ing around US, the landscape was the OBJ
ject Of our unbounded admiration.
Turnpikes and roads were like 'chalk
lines" crossing at irregular angles, while
upon them horses and wagons we're plain
ly seen moving to and fro, very diminutive
in appearance, and resembling mites draw
ing crumbs of bread. Villages were pass
ed over in rapid succession, and, at half
past six O'Clock, we were over Lebanon
By this time the storm was rapidly nearing
us, and all eyes we're turned to our heroic
commander He relieved the balloon of
the miniature house surrounding our car
and on, on we sped. Below us, the clouds
appeared like a heavy fog, and around us,
on every side, we were encompassed with
a mist. As the storm drove us onward we
distinctly heard the rain pouring down up
on mother earth, the sound resembling the
passing Of train of cars.
Relieved of more ballast, We gained an
altitude of seVenteen thousand, four hundred
and fJiy feet Here, sensations of chillness
came over us, and the atmosphere being
damp our party experienced very unpleasant
feelings. Overcoats. shawls, wines. cordials,
DC, were not sufficient TO keep US from
shaking, and for time the "chills" had
control of US. The storm was terrible; the
lightning leaped from cloud to cloud, accom-
panied by peals Of thunder. The gloom
was fearful Never had beheld such war
ring of the elements. 1t seemed as if the
storm was tearing and rending its war
through the path our balloon bad taken, and
had brought all the artillery Of heaven into
action. If, by chance, our Captain or one
Of US, uttered word, there were airy
tongues below mocking US from every side
The winds that drove the clouds onward so
rapidly, also hurled US on at the rate of sew
enty miles IN hour.
In few minutes we sailed by ;he clouds,
and the lights Of farm houses were again
visible. Mems G. deeming it best to descend
notice was given for all to crouch down in
the bottom of the car. The anchor caught
and, for moment, held us, but a strong
gale Of wind caught our balloon, snapped |
the cord TO which the anchor was attached, |
and we were left to the mercy Of its fury.
The night was "visibIy dark"-our party
at no time being able to recognize each 9TH
er-the rain all the time pouring upon US
in torrents.
Suddenly we felt our car rushing over
Lhe tops OF trees, crashing and tearing the
limbs as the ballou was driven along. Mons
G. gave US the valve rope and mounting the
side of the car be ordered US TO
bold fast. In another moment ne landed
in corn field, and by the force of the wind
We were dragged and bumped along the
ground the distance of half a mile, now
through a fence, then striking stump or
.ree, or whifling through the corn stalks at
! fearful velocity; our heads raped each
'ther, and not unfrequently We saw stars
Ill aropd. Up and down We went, when
he car struck tree and Mons GODDARD was
nurled 10 the ground, distance OF thirty
Get; the next moment We were crashing
gainst a tall stump of tree, when Col
4atham and Mr.. Hoal we're thrown with
riih great violence from the basket, the for
ner on the back of The neck and shoulders
nd the latter on his breast. Mr.. Crippon
nd myself were left alone in the car. Mr..
}rippen. obeying instructions to keep in the
'ottom of the car, and / held with all my
night to the valve rope, up we mounted.
we darted into the limbs Of
all dead tree, and in an instant. tree, bal (
oon, car and acronsuts were fiat on the
round. Mr.. c, was beneath the tree, in