Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-10-01

Terrible ADvENTuRE.-A MAN SEATED on
THE VALVE OF A BALLOON CARRIED INTO THE
CLOUDS.
We have learned the full particulars of
the Balloon Ascension at Adrian, on Thurs
day its subsequent descent, and its second
ascension and run away with the 9ronaut
while beyond his control. 1t is a brief narra-
tive, but of thrilling interest. a man lost in
the sky There can scarcely be a more ter
rible thought. 1t makes the flesh creep and
sends shudder through every nerve.
" The first ascension took place about nine
o'clock in the morning. The balloon was a
very large and wel-constructed one, being
about the height Of two-story building when
inflated and ready to cut loose from its fas-
Jennings. Messrs. Banister and Thurston took
seats in the car attached to the balloon, and
! assembled safely and steadily. After remain
ing about 40 minutes in the air, sailing to-
wards Toledo all the time, they alighted in
miles west of Toledo. Several men came to
the assistance of the adventures and they
proceeded 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 dis
cntinglo the netting and reach the valve. To
do this, Mr.. ]. Thurston, one of the eronauts,
! took of his coat and got astride of the valve
block. He then suggested that the car be
detached from the balloon, while he should
hold it down with his weight. This proved
a fearful calculation, 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 Il rocket, taking Mr.. Thurston
along with it, 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-ated man sped straight into the sky in the
full sight of his companions, even more help
less than himself. So far as is known there
was no means for him to secure his descent,
whether safe or otherwise. The part of the
balloon filled with gas was full twelve feet
above him, 50 that there was no chance for
him to cut it and escape. He could only
cling to his precarious hold and 60 whittier
soever the currents of air should take him.
"Without regulation or control Of any kind
the balloon continued to mount upward, sail
ing off in the direction of this city and Lake
Erie. The fatal ascension took place about
IL clock and ut Il few minutes past noon it
was seen in the town of Blissfeld Lenawee
Co., apparently full three miles high, and
about the size Of star in appearance. 1t
was still going up and on! Ataquarter past
l o'clock it was last dimly visible going in
the direction Of Maiden, as ascertained by
compass barings taken by parties observing
| it.
"Whut Is his exact fate battles conjecture !;
but that it is horrible, almost beyond prece-
dent, 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 10 become benumbed and senseless,
death ensuing or whether he fell on at
length from his tremendous altitude, to have
his breath sucked from him in his fearful de-
scent and to be sunk in the lake OF dashed
into "A 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 blinaly gropes in
ma4es of wonder at whore his place of sepul-
lure shall he.
"Mr Ihurston was an experienced baloonist
having built several; and this being his 37th
lscyn5on. lie was formerly resident in the
vicinity Of Lima and Rochester, in Western
New York, bat has latteily resided in Adrian,
whore he was extensively engaged in business
ts a nursery man lie Was a widower hav-
ing lost his wife last winter. lie leaves an
interesting daughter, about II years ofage, to
mourn her father s unknown terrible fate :"
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