The Kanzas news., 1858-10-16
WHOLE No. 81.
From the Detroit Daily Tribnn,
Terrible Adventure.-An Eronaut Lost
in the (sl0uds

From the Detroit Daily Tribune.
Terrible eAdventure.-An Eronaut Lost
In the Clouds.
We have learned full particulars of the
balloon ascension, at Adrian, on Thursday,
Its subsequent descent, and its second
ascension and runaway with the aronaut
while beyond his control 1t is a brief
narrative, but of thrilling interest A man
lost in the sky There can scarcely be a
more terrible thought. 1t makes the flesh
creep, and sends a shudder through every
nerve.
| The first ascension took place about nine
O'Clock in the morning. 1t was on the oc-
casion of large Sunday school celebration
at Adrian. The balloon was very large
and wen-eonstructed one, being about the
height of a two-story building when inflated
and ready to cut loose from its fastenings.
Messrs. Bannister and Thurston took seats
in the car attached to the balloon, and
assembled safely and steadily. After re-
naming about forty minutes in the air, sail
ing towards Toledo all the time, they alight-
ed in the woods in the town of Riga, county
of Lenawee, near Knights station on the
southern road, distant about eighteen miles
west of Toledo. Several men came to the
assistance of the adventurers, and they pro-
ceeded to prepare the balloon for packing,
to be taken back to Adrian
In doing this, the monster balloon was
turned over, and partially upside down, to
disentangle the netting and to reach the
valve. To do this, Mr.. Ira Thurston, one
of the aeronauts took off his coat, and got
astride of the valve-block. He then sug-
gested that the car be detached from the
balloon. while he should hold it down with
his weight. This proved fearful calcula-
Ilon, for no sooner was the still inflated
body relieved of the weight of the car, than
it shot into the air with the suddenness of
a rocket, taking Mr.. Thurston along with
1t, seated upon the valve of the balloon, and
holding on to the collapsed silk of the air.
ship in that portion of its bulk In this
perfectly helpless condition, the ill-fated
man sped straight into the sky in the full
sight of his companions, even more helpless
than himself. So far as is known, there
was no possible means for him to secure
his descent. whether safe or otherwise. The
part of the balloon filled with gas was full
twelve feet owe him, so that there was no
chance for him to cut its sides, and allow
the gas to escape. He could only cling to
his precarious hold, and go whithersoeyer
the currents of air should take him.
Without regulation or control of any
kind, the balloon continued to mount up
ward, sailing off in the direction of this city
and Lake Erie. The fatal ascension took
place about eleven O'Clock, and at a few
minutes past noon 1t was seen in the town
of Blissfeld, Lenawee county, apparently
full three miles high, and about the size of
star in appearance. 1t was still going up
and on. At quarter past one O'Clock, it
was last dimly visible, going in the direc-
ton of Maiden, as ascertaiGed by compass
bearings taken by parties observing it.
What is his exact fate battles conjecture;
but that it is horrible, almost beyond pre-
cedent, there can be no doubt. There is |
not one chance in a million for successful |
escape. Whether the unfortunate man was |
carried up so high as to become benumbed |
and senseless, death ensuing, or whether he |
fell off at length from his tremendous alti- |
tude. to have his breath sucked from him In |
his fearful descent, and to he sunk in the |
lake or dashed into shapeless mass upon |
the earth, it is doubtful if any save God |
will ever know. The mind stands appalled, |
in contemplating this fearful disaster, and |
biindiy gropes in mazes of wonder at where
his place of sepulture shall be.
MIR. Thurston was an experienced bal |
loonist, having built several, and this be-
ing his thirty ascension. He was
formerly resident in the vicinity of Lima
and Rochester, in Western New York, but /
has latterly resided in Adrian, where he was
extensively engaged in business as nur-
seryman. He was widower, having lost
his wife last winter. He leaves an interest
ing daughter about IL years of age, TO
mourn her fathers unknown, terrible fate