Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-09-24
Insrin TIM CIonds.


We have learned full particulars Of the
balloon ascension at Adrian, on Thursday,
its subsequent descent, and its second ascen-
sion, and run away with the 9rouant while
beyond his control. 1t is brief narrative,
but of thrilling interest. a man lost in the
sky. There Gao scarcely be a mere terrible
thought. 1t makes the flesh creep, and sends
shadder through every nerve.
The first ascension took place about O.
clock 10 the morning. II was on the occa-
sion of large Sunday School celebration at
Adrian The balloon was q very large aud
well-oonstrueted one, being about the height
of q two-story building when inf ,ted aud
ready to cut loose from its tastenings.--
Messrs. Bannister and Thurston took seats
in the car attached to the balloon, and as
cended safely and steadily. After remain
ing about forty minutes in the air, sailing
towards Toledo all tie time, they alighted 10
the woods in the town Of Riga, L.nawee
county, near Knights Station, on the SIuth-
ern road distant about elghtson miles west
/ of Toledo Several men came to the a-siS-
,unce VI the adventures. aud they proceed
! cd 10 prepare toe balloon for packing, to be
/ taken back TO Adrian.
| Io doing this the monster balloon was
turned over and partially upside down, to
disentangle the netting and to reach the
valve. To do this, Mr. Ira Thurston, one OF
| the e.onauts, took of bis coat and got as
! tribe Of the valve block. He then sugses-
! ted that the car be detached from the balloon
while be should hold it down with his
weight. This proved fearful caIculatlor,
| for 10 sooner was the still int sted body re-
! lieged Of the weight Of the car than II shot
! into the air with the sud lcnnass OF rocket
taking Mr.. Thurstou slUnS with It, seated
upon the valve vi the balloon, and holding
on to the collapsed silk Of the an-shlp IN
| that portion OF It's bulk In this perfectly
| helpless coalition the Inflated man sped
straight into the sky il the iull sight OF his
| cnmp MONS, even more helpless than him'
self So lar Us is known, there we're no pos
sibe means tor him 10 secure his descent,
whether safe or otherwise. The part OF the
balloon filled with gas was full twelve feet
above him, 80 that there was no chance Tor
him 70 cut lis sides and allow the gas to CS-
cape. he could only cling to his precarIous
hold aud go whithersoeger the currents OF
air should take him.
With Ut regulation or control Of any kind
the balloon continued to mount upward,
sailing off 10 the direction CT THE city and
Lake Erle. The fatal ascension took place
about ii o'clock, and 4 few minutes past
noon it was seen in the town Of BiissfCld, 10
Lenswee county, apparently full three miles
high, aud about the SIZE of star 10 appear,
auce. 1t was still gong up and 90. Al a
quarter past one o'clock it was last dim y
visible going in the direction of Maiden, o,
ascertaiued by compass bearings taken by
parties observing 1t.
What is his exact fate bail IS conjecture;
but that is is horrible almost beyond prece-
dent, there cab be no doubt. There is not
one chauce in million for successful es-
cape Whether the unfortunate man was
carried up 80 high as to become benumbed
and scnseless, death ensulng--or whether he
fell of at length from his tremendous altl-
tude, to have his breath sucked from him 10
us fearful descent, and to be sunk 10 the
lake or dashed into a shapeless mass upon
the earth, it Is doubtful If any save God
will ever know. The mind stands appalled,
10 contem plating this fearful disaster, and
bindly gropes 10 mazes Of wonder at where
his place Of sepulchre shall be.
Mr.. Tburstnn was an experienced balloon
ist, having built several, and this being bis
thlrty.seventh ascension. He was formerly
a resident in the vicinity Of Lima and =
chester, in western New York, but has la
teriy resided 10 Adrian. where he was extern
siyeIy engaged in business as nurseryman.
He was q widOwcr, having Lost his wife last
winter. lie Leases an Interesting daughter,
about II years of age, to mDurn her fathers
unknown, terrible fa;e.--Dsiroh Tribune.
a dispatch announces that the balloon
came down the same day it assembled, On
Baptist Creek, Canada, aud that Mr.. Thure-
ton was seen on it short time before -
Search was, making for his budy 10 the
marshes near The lake.