New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-09-27
TIE LATE BALLOON ASCENSION IN
ILLINOIS.
AUTHENTIC PARTICULARS.
Y,o- The ST. Louis Dcmocvas

The startling story Of the late frghtfu ascent Of two
small children alone in balloon, has naturally
excited come incredibly which in turn, bas been
creased by the rather diverse accounts given Of the
event. But the return 10 our city Of the aeronaut,
Mr.. 5. NJ. Brooks, enables us 20 give an authentic
col fnation and true version Of the thrilling narrative
TLs gentleman kindly informs us substantially az fol-
lows:
He was 10 have sscended from the Fair Grounds At
Ceiiralia on Friday the 18th instant, bu. finding him
self unwel accepted the offer n anotbe, aeronapt Mr.
LOOM Mr.. Wilson effected BEAUTIFUL ascent, at 81 p
m. hoated westward and then south-eastward rising
two and half miles and at about 81 p m. descended
sixteen niles southeast ward Of the starting point He
was caught by tree about forty.tve rods from the
farmhouse of Mr. Benjamin Harvey. The spot Is
some two miles and half from Rome, Jefferson
County. Mr.. Harvey and his family, and others,
gathered, and disentangied the ar-ship. ihey Then
pulled the ear to the ground and some boys held
the ropes the yoyageur ahghted and while
he was drawn off in conversation with the
inquisitive people, the balloon was " towed
10 the house, and Mr.. Harvey prepared 10 nave
some sport by rising the length Of the rope to be
pulled down. Proving too heavy 10 rise ne stepped
and put in his three chdren-s lad Of three years,
q girl Of eight. and still older girl. AT this point
Mr. Wilson called cut Ia those holding the ropes 10 be
and hold fast. But the three children were 100
heavy and the eldest taken out Al this instant,
through the unwstchfulness Of the persons at the
cords the balloon suddenly and very swiftly went up
The anchor struck in q rail fence, but tore II away,
while cry Of horror burst from the sgon!zed group
TIE children screamed with horror, and the pteops
appeal Pull d0EH, father a. II instantly
grew fainter and fainter rendered the parents ana H.
deed all present for the tine perfectly frantic. II was
now past o'clock was becoming dark, and The bal
loon was soon lost sight Of period of more intense
wretchedness TO the parental heart can scarcely be
imagined.
most directly upward, till is disappearance in south
east.ry course. Messengers were dispatched through
the region in every direction, and the alarm spresd
rapidly creating eyerywherr the Intensest excitement
In all quarters the and boys rallied ia parties -
seour he country and search tLe woods, la te eXpec
taton that tie victims would somewhere descend ana
lie subjected to the pe OF drowning, or else Of starry
ing undiscovered.
Able sensation. Tie popular anriety-alnost agony
called out Mr.. Brooks, who ASSURED the people that
tie balloon would probably descend wihn two or
three hours, and within al nos, tAEty mixes 1i 'Ae
point Of starting. He also SET: 10 the distracted par
ept. tie best assurances possible u the ess, MORN
ing them that there would be no danger except rom
a descent in the woods, vhen the children niSnt Dc
with difficulty fond and troni the Older cnld- nr-t
s,eupirr out ADc leaving the younger again 10 ri.e
Apait from these rers, in ;heIs-lves infS obable,
Mr. Brooks Appreciated no Danger 20 the little
voyager- Yet the idea beesme eurrert that they
must encounter irigid atDorPhere which they oo'-h
not survive.
II wa. about three o'clock on Saturday
U,orrinc tina, Mr.. I-nA;in Ateiiron. living on
Neores prairie, eight miles n0ni Mount vernon, sO'
up Re says ana went out uron ms porch 10 SCI ,n-
blazing tar the comet. An Immense speeter rifshg
from a tree sbcut twenty yards distant, rsiher aP-
salei him. ard be reeni.rei the hos-, and vaked Us
family. On hi. coming oct again. weak and Piteos,
yo.ee eelled to him from the sPester Come nere ahi
le; n dswp: IRE almost ir0ze' MI. Ateui'oa
ri;lv rprc,v,d IN. astonishing nature 81 the ease
mustered help cut away several limbs u the tree add
drew IL. ear in safety 10 the ground
TIE lit;le boy Wa fted ont. and when placed upon
his feet instantly for several yards tnen tdrn-l
IuNIs a
psrnty intens- curiosity. The little gri tosd their
srrow. and sdYeu.u.ss with an a!moet broken heart,