Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1858-09-29
Thrilling Incident.
Tsce Children Carried cF by q BaIlooR. o1d
Supposed to be Lost

Supposed to be Lost.
Our correspondent at the illinois fair, at Gem
trslia. acquants US with the following most
thrilling occurrence: Mr.. q. w Brooks, of
this City, an Sronaant of considerable distinc-
ton, was advertised to make AL ascension
from spot contiguous to the Fair grounds
on Friday evening, after the cloaing exercises
of the Fair. Instead, however, of going up
himself. he yielded to the solicitations of a
young man who has been travel ling around
with him, learning the theory aud practice OF
balloon'ng. and who begged that, as the
evening was SO fine, he might be allowed to
test the vsue of his knowledge by little
experience. The young man, whose name
has escaped the recollection of our Informant
made the ascension in beautiful style, III the
prcseuce of thousands of admiring and won
derng people. The atmosphere was 30 quiet,
that he rose almost vertically to a great
height, and then. when it Was supposed that
he would descend, the balloon passed into a
current Of air, which bore 1t gradually away
20 the southeast, and finally carried it out of
right Ii was said that Mr. Brooks was much
annoyed at his pupil for refusing to descend
before striking the current Of air which bore
him away from the scene Of the ascension
| He did not returu until Saturday morning
about day break, and then communicated al
account OF HIS most thrilling experiences
ihc current of air which bore him off to the
southeast carried him a distance of about
twenty miles before be thought OF descend
ing BY means of his graphing irons, the
descent was made with safety and ease and
he found himself alighted near farm house,
the inmates of which regarded him with the
greatest wonder and qualification. The bal
loon was made fast to fence, and after a
short conversation with the farmer and his
wife, they were persuaded to make an ascen-
sion Of a few huudred feet, one at time
The balloon, relieved of all extra weight,
rose readily, aud Was easily pulled down
| again by means of the anchor rope. The
farmer and his wife were highly pleased with
| the trip, aud while expressing their grati6ca-
ton, two of their small children, one FIVE
aud the other three years old, who had been
looking on with astonishment, scranb bled into
the car, and cried out, Let me 20 up-let
me go up" The Cronaut proceeded at once
to crafty them but from some carelessncss
or accident as he was letting them up. the
rope slipped from, has hands, and the balloon
mounted upuards tcih the relocity ot'a rocket
The frantic agony of the parents, and the
CONSERVATION of the eronaut may be imagiu-
ed In minute or two the balloon bad
passed entirely out or slyht. anu was totally
lost in the blue depths of the sky. Nothing
could be done but to hasten back to Mr.
Brooks at Centralia, and ask his advice. rz
Our informant learns that Mr. Brooks ex-
pressed his opiuion that the balloon would
remain in the air an hour before commencing
to descend, aud while at its greatest altitude,
lie children would probably freeze to death
unless, in their fright. they precipitated them
selves from the car.
Mr.. Brooks, early on Saturday morning,
set out in the direction the balloon had taken,
| in hopes to recover it, and find some trace of
the lost children.
Our reporter called on Mr.. Brooks, the
brother of the eronaut, last night, and learn
ed some further particulars, He says he had
a conversation with gentleman who came
| from Centralia yesterday. who states that the
balloon had been found about eight miles
from that place, and the children were found
in the car fast asleep. This. however. is All
improbable denoument. and cannot be re-
ceived without further corroberating iuforma-
tion.-PiHb'g Chron. Sept. %.