The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-09-30
Terrible Advestars--An Eson.ut Lost
tm the Clousis.


Terrible Aavesturs--An E,on.ut Lost
tm the Clouds.
We have learned full particulars Of the
Balloon Ascension at Adrian, on Thursday,
its Subsequent descent and its second ascen-
sion and runaway with the aronaut while
beyond his control. 1t is q brief narrative,
but of thrilling interest. A man lost in the
sky. There cln scarcely be more terrible
thought 1t makes the flesh creep and sends
shudder through every nerve,
The first ascension took place about .
o'clock in the morning. 1t was on the occa-
sion of Sunday. School celebration at
Adrian. The balloon was very large and
well constructed one, being about the height
OF a two story building When inflated and
ready to cut loose from its fastenings.,
Messrs. Bannister and ThuBton took seal5
in the car attached 70 the balloon and -
cended safely and steadily. After remain
ing about forty minutes in the air, sailing
towards Toledo all the time, they alighted
in the woods in the town Of Riga, Lenawee
county, near Knights station on the South
ern Road, distant about Gig hteen miles west
of Toledo. Several men came to the assist
ance 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
disentaDgle the netting and to reach the
valve. To do this, Mr.. ira Thurston, one
OF the GrOnauts took off his coat, and got
astride of the valve block. He then sug-
gested that the car be detached from the
balloon while be should hold it down with
his weight. This proved fearful calcula.
ton, for no sooner was the still inflated body
relieved of the weight of the car, than il
shot into the air with the suddenness of o
rocket, taking Mr. 1hurston 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 It's bulk . In this
perfectly helpless condition, the ill.iated man
sped straight into the sky in che full sight
OF misconceptions, even more helpless than
himself so far as is known, there was no
possible means for him to secure his descent,
whether safe or otherwise The part of the
balloon filed with gas was full twelve feet
above him. so that there was no chance. for.
him to cut It's sides and allow the gas 10 e.
cape. lie could only cling to his precari.
Gus hold and 60 whithersoever the currents
OF the air should take him. &.
Without regulation or cOd6ol of any
kind, the balloon continued to mount. up. ;.
ward, sailing of in the direction Of this civ
and Lake Erie. The fatal ascension took
place about ii O'Clock, and alta few min.
ntes past noon il was seen in the town of
BIIssiield, Lenawee county apparently full
three miles high, and about the size OF eetar
in appearance. II was still going up and
on. AT quarter past O'Clock, il was
last dlmly visible, going in the direction Of
Maiden, as ascertalned by compass bearings
taken by parties observing it.
What s his exact fate battles conieeture
but that II is horrible, almost beyond prece.
dent, there can be no doubt. There & not
one chance in million for a successful e.
cape. Whether the unfortunate man was
carried up so high as TO become benumbed
and senscess death ensuing-or whether he
fell OIL at length from his tremendous alti-
tude, to have his breath sucked from him In
his fearful descent, and to he sunk 10 The
lake or dashed into shapcess mass upon
the earth, it is doubtful if any save God
will ever know. AZ
The mind stands appalled, in contempIa-
ting this fearful disaster and blindIy gropes
in mazes of wonder at where his place Of
sepnlture shall be-
Mr.. ihurston Was an experienced balloon
ist, having built several, and this being his
thirty-seventh ascension. He was formerly
a resident in the vicinity of Lima and Ro-
chester, IN Western New York but has lat.
terly resided in Adrian, where be was ex.
tenslvely engaged in business as a nursery.
man. lie was a widower, having lost his
wife last winter. He leaves an interesting
daughter about seventeen years Of age, %
mourn her fathers unknown, terrible fatee
Detroit Irib.