Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1858-10-08

A MN SEATED on THE VALVE OF BALLOON
CARRIED INTO THE CLOUDS.
We have learned full particulars OF
the balloon ascension at Adrian, o"
Thursday, its subsequent descent, and its
second ascension and runaway with the
rronaut while beyond his control. 1t
is a brief narrative, b1t of thrilling in
,eres.. A man los, in the SKY There
can scarcely be more terrible thought.
1t makes the flesh creep and sends
shutllcr through every nerve
The first ascension took place about
nine o'clock in the morning. ltwas on
the occasion of large Sunday School
celebration at Adrian. The balloon was
very large and well constructed one.
being about the height of two-story
building when inflated and ready to cut
loose from its fastenings. Messrs. Ban
MISTER and Thurston took seats in the
car attached to the balloon and ascend
ed safely and steadily. After remain
ing about forty minutes in the air, sail
ing toward Toledo all the time, they
alishted in the woods in the town OF
Riga, Lenawec county. near Knight
station on the Southern Road. distant
about eighteen miles west OF Toledo
Several men came to the assistance Of
the adyen,urers, 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 dsentaugle the netting and to reach
the valve. To do this, Mr.. Ira Thurston,
one Of the nronauts,to 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 suddcnness of a 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-fated man sped
straight into the full sight of his compan-
ions, even more elpless than himself
SO far as is known, there was no possi-
BILE means for him to secure his descent,
whether safe or otherwise. The part of
the balloon filled with gas was ful
twelve feet above him, 50 that there was
no chance for him to cut it and escape.
He could only cling to his precarious
IL L ,tb ha ont
of air should take him.
Without regulation or control of any
kind the balloon continued to mount up
ward, sailing off in the direction of this
city and Lake Erie. The fatal ascension
took pla- about II o'clock, and at few
minutes past noon it was seen in the
town of Blissfeld, Lcnawee Co apparen-
tly full three miles high, and about the
size of 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 Melden, as
ascertaincd by compass bearings taking
by parties observing it.
What is his exact fate battles conIcc-
ture; but that it is horrible almost be-
yond precedent, there can be no doubt.
There is not one chance in million for
successful escape. Whether the unfor-
tunate man was carried up so high as to
become benumbcd and senseless. death
ensuing, or whether he fell off at length
from his tremendous altitude, to have
his breath sucked from him in his fear
full descent, and to be sunk in the lake
or dashed into a shapcless mass upon the
earth, it is doubtful if any save God
will know. The mind stands appalled,
in contemplating this fearful disaster, and
blindly gropes in macs OF wonder at
where his place of sepulturc should be-.
Mr.. Thurston was an experienced bal
loonist having built several, and TINS
being his thirty.seventh ascension. lie
was formerly resident in the vicinity
of Lima and Rochester in Western New
York, but has lately resided in Adrian,
where he was extensively engaged in