Litchfield enquirer., 1858-09-30

From the Detroit Tribune Sept 18th We have learned full particulars of the bal loon ascension at Adrian, on Thursday, it's sub, sequent descent, and it's second ascension and ruuaway with the eronaut while beyond his control. It is brief narrative, but of thrill ing interest. A man lost in the sky There can scarcely be more terrible thought It makes the flesh creep and sends a shudder through every nerve.
 The first ascension took place about nine o'clock in the morning. It was on the occa- sion of large Sunday School celebration at Adrian. The balloon was a 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 at tached to the balloon and ascended safely and steadily. After remaining about 40 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 Southern Road, distant about IS miles west of Toledo. Several men came to the assistance of the adventurers, and they proceeded to pre- pare the balloon for packing to be taken back to Adrian.
 In doing this, the monster balloon was turn ed over and partially upside down to disentan- gle the netting and to reach the valve. To do this, MT. Ira Thurston, one of the eronauts, took off his coat and got astride of the valve block. He then suggested that the car be de- tacled from the balloon while he should hold it down with his weight. This proved fear ful calculation, for no sooner wfs the still i,fla- ted body relieved of the weight of the car than
 it shot into the air with the audiences of a rocket taking Mir. Thurston along with it, seat ed upon the Valve of the balloon and holding on to the collapsing silk of the air-ship in that portion of its bulk In this perfectly helpless condition, the ilIfated man sped straight into the sky in full sight of his companions, 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 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 aud go whith- ersoever the precarious currents of air should take him.
 Without regulation or control of any kind the balloon continued to mount upward, sailing oft 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 Blissfeld, Lenawee Co.,, apparent ly full three miles high, and about the size of a star ln appearance. It was still going up and on At d quarter past II o'clock it was last d'nlly seen going in the direction of Maiden, as ascertaned by compass bearings taken by parties observing it.
 What is his exact fate baffles conjecture but that it is horrible, almost beyond prece- dent there can be no doubt There is not one chance ln million for successful escape. Whether the unfortunate man was carried up so high as to become benumhed aud senseless, death ensuing-or whether he fell off at length from his tremendous altitude, to have his breath sucked from him in his fearful descent, and to be sunk in the lake or dashed into shapeless mass upon the earth, it is doubtful if any save God will ever know. The mind stands appalled, in contemplating this fearful disaster, and blindly gropes in mazes of wonder at where his place of sepulture shall be.
 Mr. Thurston was an experienced balloonist having built several, and this being his thirty. seventh ascension. He. was formerly resi- dent in the vicinity of Lima and Rochester in Western New York, but has lattery resided m Adrian, where he was extensively engaged In business as nurseryman. He was wid- ower, having lost his wife last winter. He leaves an interesting daughter about seventeen years of age to mourn her fathers unknown, terrible fate !!
 Our telegraph columns yesterday morning. con- talneo the following in addition tothe above: DETROIT, Sept. 2lst.-The balloon which carried off Mir. Thurston, the seronaut on Thursday last, came down four hours after. wards, near Baptistc Creek, c. w. Mr Thurston was seen on it short time before ;t was secured, and is probably now in the marsh es near St. Clair. Search is being made for him, and there is great excitement throughout fhe whole country