Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-05-25

nDs- The following reasonable and veracious
 .orr, we find in the Memphis Ledger. Of
 ,or.e, being so plain and circumstantal, we be-
 ,e it and so will our readers!
 Oak GroUe, Colunsbio O., Ark,
 February 26, 1858.
 EpIroRs MEMPHIS EVENING LEDGER ,4,.ts;--Our section of the country has been
 brownlinto considerable excitement within the n.st few days, by the most unheard of affair
 hat was ever known. At first, no one would Relieve it, until the man, Mr. Ben Jones. pro. 5nced such proof that the most skeptical were [fnllv convinced that it was true The facts
 .re these On Thursday evening last. some
 rersors were working in field, (burning logs)
 fome eight miles north of this place. Their
 sttention was attracted by singular looking ob-
 ect flying through the air at a most astonishing Fate. They ceased work, and watched it until jt came fully into view, when, to their astonish- ment it proved to be kind of balloon drawn by wild geese. The geese flew langudlv, and sfer few circles they alighted in field near tbe one in which the laborers were at york; |Thev rushed up, and when they arrived found |,nan standing up, holding to the balloon to keen t from rising. The crowd soon gathered about <hln, huu OilblCON tiiO lOiiO"ibo ldCbS.
 Hehad witnessed the ascension of an auronaut Hin St. Louis some time past, and since that Lperiod had been experimenting in various ways #upon the subject. He lived in Harrison conntv Missouri. and near his house there was large #lagoon setting in from the-river. Numberc l of wild fowl covered the water, when mild l spell of weather set in, and the ice melted &leaving the water free. During late thaw he set net and succeeded in drawing thirty wild geese into the trap. He manufactured balloon sufficient to sustain some five hundred pounds. and when he finished it he formed the idea of attaching the geese to it. Accordingly he fabr cated set idharness which, without being heavy, was sufficiently strong. and then took the whole into the meadow near by. He car lied his acids and iron during the day. and on the following morning he commenced infatino his machine. In few hours it was filled with #hydrogen gas, and he began to stone it; which zdone, he secured his steeds, and getting in. cut the cord which confined the balloon. It at once &arose the birds being very much frightened, kbecause entangled in their harness, and created a good deal of confusion.
 Gradually, however, by stocking the cords (which attached them, he got them into line as 1.-the machine arose in the air, the flying steeds themselves out in line and com. menced circlng. A few times they sailed |around the field and then laid their course for |the west. A smart breeze now began to blow. band the birds altered their course, uttering their 'peculiar cry, and stood towards the southwest. lis sensation he described as deli ghtful, darting |through the air with Tightening speed, and without fear as he well knew by easing it of eas he could descend. The birds now rose some half mile above the earth, and after an hour or two appeared to have lost all fear. H e pass ed over fields, and farm houses, and could see the people running out to gaze after him, wonder struck. He passed over Missouri river, and his course stood towards the southeast. When about eight hours out, he saw a large stream of water, and knew he was over the Mississippi as there were two boats in sight Again the birds turned their course, and night came on. By the course of the wind he thinks that they turned once in the night, towards the northwest but agaln steered south. He kept on in flight until p o'clock the next morning, when he commence led letting off the gas, and as the balloon sunk the geese did the same, until they aighted. as we have stated.
 However improbable this story may seem. it can be attested to by many witnesses, and they are men of integrity.
 Respectfully, WM. c. JOHNSON.