The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1858-04-15
WONDERFUL. IF TRuE

l'shed on the 1st Of April, but like a rood
many things, it IN not bear Keeping:
Tho following remarkable circumstance
is now the subject of considerable excite.
ment IN Columbia county, Arkansas, and
the facts as set forth are said to be literally
true. We have heard of navigating the
air by machines driven by electricity and by
steam, but this extraordinary story beats
anything we ever went a-6shing.' Read
it all yo st. Thomascs:
OAK GROVE, COLUMBIA CITY. ARK.,
February 2Gth, 1858. {
Editors Memphis Eveniny Ledger:
GENTS: Our section of the country has
been thrown into considerable excitement
within the past few days, by the most uu.
hcard-of affair that was ever known. AT
first, no one would believe it, until the IN an
Mr.. Bob Jones, produced such proof that
the most sceptical were fully convinced Il, at
1t was true. The facts are these. On Thurs
day evening last, some persons were work
ing in field (burning loys) some eight
miles north of this. place. Their attention
was attracted by a singular looking object
flying through the air at most astonish.
ing rate. They ceased work, and watched
it until it came fully into view, when to
their 'stonishment, it proved to be kind
of balloon drawn by wild geese. The geese
flew languidIy, and after few circles they
aI'ghted in a ield near the one in which
the laborers were at work They rushed up,
and when they arrived, found man stand
ling up, holding OH 10 the balloon to keen
it from rising. The crowd soon gathered
about him, and elected the following facts ::
lie had witnessed the ascension Of m
;eronaut in St. Louis some time past, and
since that period had been cxpcsim cnting
IN various ways upon the sntject. lie lived
in Harrison county, Missouri, and near his
house there was large lagoon setting in
from the -- river. Numbers of wild fowls
covered the water, when wild spell of
weather set in, and the ice melted, leaving
the water free. During late thsw lie set
net and succeeded in drawing thirty wild
geese into tho trap. Lie manufactured a
balloon sufficient to sustain some five hun.
dred pounds, and when lie finished it, be
formed the idea of attaching the geese to it.
Accordingly he fabricated set of harness,
which, without being heavy, was sufficient.
ly strong, and then took the whole into the
meadow near by. lie carried his acids and
iron during the day, and on tue following
morning commenced initiating his machine.
In few hours it was filled witt, hydrogen
gas, and he began to stone it; Which done,
lie secured his steeds, and getting iu, cut
the cord which confined tile balloon. It at
once. arose, the birds being very much
frightened, because entanged in their har-
ness, and created good deal Of confusion.
Gradually, however, by stocking tho cords
which attached them, he got them into line,
and, as the machine arose in the air, the |
flying steeds Strengthened themselves out in |
a line and commenced circIing. A few
times they sailed around the field and then
laid their course for the West. "A smart
breeze now began 10 blow, and the birds
altered their course, uttering their peculiar
cry, aud stood towards the Southwest. Ills
sensations he described as delightful, dart.
ing through the air with lightning speed,
and without fear, as lle we'll knew .by cas-.
lug it Of gas he could descend. The birds
now rose some half a, mile above the earth.
and after an hour orStwo appeared to have
lost 'allsf fear. lie passed over fields and
farm houses, and could see the people run.
ming out to. gaze after him, wonder.struck.
lie could soc. numerous streams Of water,
and as lie had a compass with him, she
knew the course he was traveling. He
passed over Missouri river, and his: course
stood towards. tls. Southeast. When about
eight hours out, he saw a large s,stream Of
water, and :kue9 bs was over. the. Missis-
;ippi, as there were two boats in sight,
Again the birds turned tfeir course, and
night came on. BY the course Of the wind
1e. thinks they turned once in the night
owards the Northwest but again steered i
south: He$kept on in;aight until 8 O'Clock !.
he next morning, when he commenced :,
ettiffg off tile gas, and as the balloon sunk !,
he geese did thsssarne, until they alightea,
.s-we have stated. ~, !, ..s,Sxl 3j..t5 *