Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-10-01
General tHtsrrllanu.
From the Detroit Tribune. Sept. Is.
TERRIBLE ADVENTURE.
A MAN SEATED on THE VALVE or A BALLOON
CAKRIEn INTO TIE CLOUDS.

A MAN SEATED on THE VALVE or A BALLOON
CARRIED INTO 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 mronaut while be-
yond his control 1t is a brief narrative. but
of thrilling interest man lost in the sky
There can scarcely be a more terrible thought.
1t makes the flesh creep and sends a shudder
through every nerve.
The first ascension took place about nine
o'clock in the morning. 1t was on the occa-
sion Of a large Sunday School Celebration at
Adrian The balloon was a very large and
we'll constructed one being about the height
of two story building, when inflated, and
ready to cut loose from its fastenings Messrs
Bannistcr and Ihurston took seats in the car
attached to the balloon, and asccnded safely
and steadily. After remaining about forty
minutes in the air, sailing towards Toledo all
the time, they alghted in the woods. in the
town of Riga, Lenawee county, near Knights
station on the Southern Road, distant about
] g miles west of Toledo. Several men came
to the assistance of the adventurers, 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
entangle the netting and to reach the valve
To do this, Mr.. Ira Thurston, one of the
Uronauts, took off 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 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 a rocket, taking Mr..
Thurston along with it, seated upon the valve
of the balloon, and holding on to the collap-
scd silk Of the ar-ship in that portion of its
bulk,
In this perfectly helpless condition, the i'll
fted man sped straight into the sky in tho
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 tho
balloon filled with gas was full twelve feet
above him, so that there was no chance for
him TO cut it and escape. He could only
cling to his precarious hold and go whther-
soeyor 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
II o'clock, and at few minutes past noon it
was seen in the town of Blissfed, Lenawee
Co., apparently full three miles high, and
about the size of a star in appearance. 1t
was still going up and on At quarter past
o'clock it was last dimly visible going in
the direction of Maiden. as ascertaned by
compass bearings taken by parties observing
it.
What 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 million for a successful es-
cape Whether the unfortunate man was
carried up high to become benumbod
and senseless, death ensuing-or whether he
fell off at length from his tremendous alti-
tude, to have his breath sucked from him in
his fearful descent, and to be sunk in the lake
Or dashed into shapelcss mass upon the
earth, it is doubtful if any save God will ever
know. The mind stands appalled, in contem-
plating this fearful disaster, and blindly gropes
n mazes of wonder at whore his place of Sc
puture shall be.
Mr.. Thurston was an experienced balloon
st, having built several and this being his
ascension. lie was a resident
n the vicinity of Lima and Rochester in
Western New York, but he has latterly re-
ided in Adrian, where he was extensively
Engaged in business as a nursery man. He
vas a widowcr, having lost his wife last win
er He leaves an interesting daughter about
eycnteon years Of age to mourn her fathers
unknown terrible fate.