The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1855-10-18

stat, made an ascension in his balloon
from Cincinnati on the lst of October, ac
companied by several passengers, and a.
mopg them the reporter Of the Cincinnati
Gaeette, who thus describes the eria
journey:
The sensation experienced in the as.
cent was one of undefnable pleasure
Striking current of air, our mammoth
balloon bore off to the northeast, passing
over Mt. Auburn, Sharon, Lockland, and
Reading. The passengers frequently
had chit-chat with the farmers upon
political and other topics, and many a.
musing incidents occurred. We were in.
vited down to take tea, to drink of hard
cider, and at one time to come down and
wait until the storm which was approach
ing had passed, all Of which were respect
fully, declined; and with a fierce rushing
our monster globe hurried US above the
clouds Previous to darkness gathering
around US, the landscape was the object
of our unbounded admiration. Turn
pixies and roads were like "chalk lines, y
crossing at irregular angles, while upon
them horses and wagons were plainly
seen moving to and fro, very diminutiye
in appearance, and resembling mites draw
ing crumbs of bread. Villages were pass
ed over in rapid succession, and, at half
past 8 o'clock, we were over Lebanon
BY this time the storm was rapidly near
ing US, and all eyes were turned to our
heroic commander. lie relieved the bal
loon Of the miniature house surrounding
our car, and on, we sped. Below US, the
clouds appeared like a heavy fog, and a.
round US, on every side, We were encom-
passed with a mist AS the storm drove
onward, we distinctly heard the rain pour
ing down upon mother earth, the sound
resembling the passage of train of cars
Relieved Of more ballast, we gained an al
titude of Screnteen ut0uSand Jour hundred
and Jgfy feet Here sensations of cbilliness
came over US, and the atmosphere being
damp, our party experienced very un-
pleasant feelings. Overcoats, shawls, wines,
cordials, &C., were not sufficient to ke ep
US from shaking, and for a time the 'chills"
had control of US. The storm was terri
bic; the lightning leapod from cloud to
cloud, accompanied by peals of thunder.
The gloom was fearful. Never had | be-
held such warning of the elements. 1t
seemed as if the storm was tearing and
rcnding its way through the path our bal
loon had 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 mock
ing US from every side. The wind which
drove the clouds onward so rapidly, also
hurried US oD at the rate of sevety miles
an hour. In few minutes we sailed by
the clouds, and the lights Of farm houses
were again visible.
Suddenly We felt our car rushing over
the tops of trees, crushing and tearing
the limbs as the balloon was driven along.
Mons. GODDARD gave US the valye-rope,
and mounting the side of the car. he or
dered US to hold fast. In another mo,
ment We landed in a cornfied, and by
the force of the wind VIC we're dragged
and bumped along the ground distance
of half mile; now through fence: then
striking stump of tree, or whirling
through the corn striks at fearful ye-
locity; our heads raped each other, and
not untrequently We saw stars all around
Up and down ne went, when the car
struck tree, and Mons God ard was
hurled to the ground, a distance Of thirty
feet; the next moment We we're crashing
against a tall stump of tree, when Col.
Latham and Mr. Boal were thrown with
great violence from the basket, the form
er on the back of his neck and shoulders,
and the latter on his breast. Mr.. Grip
pen and myself were left alone in the car.
Mr. CrippeD obeying instructions to keep
in the bottom of the car, and l holding
With all my might to the valve rope, up
we mounted. Fortunately we dashed into
the limbs Of a tall dead tree, and in an
instant tree, balloon, car and aronauts.
we're fat on the ground. Mons. G. had
bis lip badly cut, and the flesh lacerated
On one of his limbs; COL Latham an an
sle sprained, head, shoulders, and body
bruisedi Mr.. Boal his breast
crushed in, three ribs broken, and other
wise badly bruised; Mr. Crippen his head
md neck "skewed" /" and generally scratch
I'd and bruised. Twas bruised somewhat.
out not materially injured.