New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-09-22
A BALLOOyIsT LOST IN THE SKY.
F,om tn. Detroit Tribune, Sept a.

F,om tn. Dsf,oif Tribune, Sept ia
We have learned full particulars of the balloon
ascension at Adrian Thursday, its subsequent de-
scent and it, SECOND ascension and runaway with the
aeronaut while beyond bis control IL is brief nara.
tive hut of thrilling interest. man l@t In the SKY.
There can scarcely be a more terrible Thought. ~
makes the flesh creep aud sends a shudder through
every nerve.
The first ascension took place about O'Clock IN the
morning. Ii was the occasion oil large cunday-
School celebration at Adrian. The balloon was n very
large and wel-constrncted one being about the hight
of two--tory building when inflated and ready ~ cut
loosa frDm It's fastsnings. Messrs bannistsr ana
Tlur-ton took the attached 70 the balloon,
and ascended safely and steadily. After remaining
abom, rty minutes in the air, smiling toward Toledo
all the time they alighted in the woods In the town OF
Riga Lenawee County, near Knights Station on the
southern Road distant about Is miles west vi Toledo
Several men came 10 the assistance VI the ally ent-
reIs and they proceeded Ia prepare the balloon 10Y
packing 10 be- taken back 10 Adrian.
H. doing this the monster balloon was turned over
aud partially upside down. to disentansis tne netting
and 10 reach tie valve To do this Mr. Ira lhnrsto.i
one Of the aerOnaus took of his coat and got astrhe
of the valveblock. He then suggested that the ear
be- detached from the balloon, while he should hold IL
down with lis weight. This proved feariui calcua-
ton for no sooner was the -tlll IDnated Dohy re-
Teved Of the weight Of the than shot INTO the ar
with the ,nddenn.ss Of rocket, taking Mr.. lhurston
along with IT, seated the valve oi the balloon, and
hodno on To the collapsed silk Of the arship 10 that
Uorton If IL bulk In thir perfectly helpless CONDITION
the -tftc1 man rped stfHlgbt hup Tue So h en. "H
sioht Of hs companions even more helpless than nm
self ~ far a. i known there WAS possible means
for hin to secure his descent, whether safe or other,
w.e. Tie part If the balloon filled with gas was iuli
twelve feet above him, that there was no chance
for him To- cut il aud escape. He could only chhg O
his precarous hold aud 20 whitersoeyer the currents
Of air should take him.
Militant regulation or control 81 any kind, the bal
loon continued TO mount upward, sailing on IN the
direction of tb. city and Lake Erie. The iatai asreh-
sI took place about IL O'Clock, and At few minutes
mast noon il wa seen the town OF Bhssneii Lem
wee County apparently THREE miles high, ana apous
the size Of star in appearance III was sun gong UP
and ON Al O'Clock, it was last dmly vsibe gong
i; The direction Of Maiden, as ascertaned Dy compass
he.,irgs taken by parties observing II.
Vbat 4. hi. exact fate battles conjecture but that II
:; horibe almost beyond precedent, there can be no
Inh, There j. not chance In a million for sue
cs.sful escape Whether the unfortunate man WAS
s,ied up so high a. 10 become benumbed and -ense-
los. death ensuing or whether he fell on nj length
fron his tremendous altitude, 10 have his breath
ncked from, him in his fearful Descent and ~ pe suhk
in the lake or dashed into shapelsss mass upon te
earth il is doubtful any save God wAi ever Know;
TIE mind stands appalled, in contemplating TINS ieaHai
di-sster and blibdly gr1pes IN nahes VI wondsr ~
where his place Of sepulture shall be-
Mr. Thur.ton was an experienced baliocnst, having
built -evernl and this being his thrty-ssyenth ascen
sion He was form~fya resident IN the vicinity VI
Lima and Rochester in Western New-ioTk, bat sss
latfcrly resided in Adrian, where ne WAS sst<nsssY
er gagged ia business a nurseryu,an. liz ydsS w..
over having lost his wife Last Winter. HsksSes :n
Interesting daughter about seventeen year /" "s' "
mourn her fathers unknown, terrible ne.