Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1858-10-02
aflistellaneous,
(From tie Detroit Tribune, Sept. lSJ |
BALLOONIST LOST IN THE SKY. |

from TIE DetIolt Irlbcne, Sept. Isl
BALLOONIST LOST IN THE SKY.
Terrible Adcenture-A Nan Seated on the
ldtre Of Balloon Carried into the
Clouds.
We have learned full particulars of tbs
Balloon Ascension at Adrian, on Thursday,
It's subsequent descent, and its second ascen-
sion and runaway with the eroeaut while
beyond his control. 1t is q brief narrative,
but OF thrilling interest. A man lost in the
sky There can scarcely be a more terrible
thought. 1t makes the flesh creep and sends
shudder through every nerve.
The first ascension took place about nine
o'clock 10 the morning. 1t was on the occa.
Sion 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.
Bannlster and Thurston took seats in the
car, attached to the balloon, and assembled
safely aud steadily. After remaining about
| lCrty minutes IN the air, sailing toward Toie-
do all the time, they alighted in the woods in
tGe town OF Riga, Lenawee county, near
Knights Station, on the Southern Road,
distant about eighteen miles west of Toledo.
Several men came to the assistance of the
adventnrers, 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
disentange the netting and to reach the
valve. To do this Mr.. Ira Thursion, one of
the @ronauts, took of his coat, and got
astride Of the valve-block. lie then sugges.
ted that the car be detached from the balloon
while he should hold it down with his weight
arfn r.
sooner was the still inflated body relieved of
the weight Of the car than it Shot into the
air with the suddenness Of 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.,
lated man sped straight into the sky in the
iull 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 the
balloon filled with gas was full twelve feet
above him, so that there was no chance for
him to cut it and escape. lie could only
cling to his precarious hold and go witherso-
ever the currents of air should take him.
Without regulation and control Of any kind
the balloon continued To mount upwards, sail
Erie. The fatal ascension took place about
IL o'clock, and at few minutes past noon il
was seen in the town of Blissfeld, Eenawee
county, apparently full three miles high. and
about the size OF a star in appearance. 1t
was still going up and on. At quarter past
three o'clock, it was last dimly visible going
in tie direction OF Maiden, us ascertained by
compass bearings taken by parties observing
it.
What is his exact fate battles conjecture;
that it is horrible, almost Beyond precedent,
there can be no aoubt There is aot one
chance in a million for successful escape.
Whether the unfortunate man was carried up
so high as to become benumbed and sense
less, death ensuing, or whether be fell of at
length fro his tremendous altitude, to have
his breath sucked from him in his fearful des-
cent. aud 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 biindly gropes in
mazes OF wonder of where his place Of sepul-
ture shall be.
Mr.. Thurston was tn experienced balloon
list. having built several aud this being his
thirty seventh ascension. lie was formerly a
resident in the vicinity of Lima and Roches-
ter in Western New York, but has latterly
resided in Adriac where he was extensively
engaged in business as a uursery-man. He
was widower, having lost his vile last Win.
ter. He leaves an interesting daughter about
seventeen years OF ago to mourn ber fathers
unknown. terrible fate.
THE MISSING ERoSAur-TsE BALLOON HEARD.
| FROM.
| tFrom The Detroit Tribune Mondsy1
| The anxiety to hear tidipgs OF the missing
eronsut, Mr.. Thurstop, is very great. per-
vading the entire community, giving rise TO
countless inquiries aud many rumors were
widely circulated that the balloon had de-
scended in Canada, aud that its precious
freight human life. was safe. The tidiugs
sent a thrill Of joy to every heart. Some re.
ports locate the spot were the balloon had