Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-09-28
From the Detroit Tribune, september lei
A BALLOONIST LOST IN THE SKY.

from the Detroit Tribune, september lei
BALLOONIST LOST IN THE SKY.
Jyr,;hs adpenture-A Man seated on the raice Of n
Balloon corried INTO TIE ci0uds.
We have learned full particulars of the balloon as
cension At Adrian, on Thursday. its subsequent de-
scent, and its second ascension and runaway with the
e.opaut while beyond his control. Ii is a brirt mar
rative, but of thrilling interest. A man Lost in the
sky! There eau scarcely be a more terrible thought.
II makes the nvsh creep and sends a shudder through
every nerve!
The first ascension took place about nine o'clock in
the morning. II WAS on tie occasion OF a large Sun
day School celebration al Adrian. The balloon was
a very large and well constructed one, being
| about the height of u two story building when
inflated and ready TO cut loose from its fasten
inys. M.ssrs. Bsunieter and Thureton took seats
in the car, attached to the balloon, and assembled
safely and steadily. After remaining about ao
minutes in the air, sailing towards Toledo all the time,
they alighted in the woods in the town OF Riga, Lena
wee county, near Knights station on the Southern
road. distant about IL miles west OF Toledo. Several
men came TO the assistance OF the adventures ana
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, 10 disentangle the netting
and TO reach the valve. TO do this, MIR. Ira IhuretoiI'
one of the 3ronsuts, took ot Dis coat aud got alslid-
of the valve block. HIS thee euggested tina the car be
detached from The balloon while be should hold I down
with his weight. This proved Ii fearful calculation, tor
no sooner was the still Inflated body relieved OF the
weight Of the oar than it sho' into The air with the sud
denness of a rocket, taking Mr Iaurston along with
Il seated UPON the valve OF the balloon. and holding on
70 tbs collapsed elk OF the air EMP in that portion OF
ifs bulk. In this perfectly helpless condltior the Ill
lated man sped straight into the sly in thu full sight
of his companions, even more helpless than himself.
So far az ia known, there was no possible means tor
hin to secure his decent, whether cafe or Otherwise.
The part OF the balloon filled with gas Wa full Twelve
feet above him, 50 that there was no chance tor him
TO cut it and escape. He could only cling 10 his pre-
carious hold, aud 90 whlthersover me currents OIL hr
should take him.
Without regulation or control Of any kind the
balloon continued TO mount upward. sailing IN IN tue
direction OF this city aaf Lake Erie. The fatal
ascension took place about ii o'clock, and at a few
minutes past noon it was seen 10 the town OF Bllss
field. Lsnawee county, apparently full three miles
high, aud about the sizs OF a star in appearance. II
was still going up and on! AT q quarter past o'clock
It was last dimlY visible going in the direction of
Maiden, as sscertained by compass bearings taken
BY parties observing II.
What ia Ls exact fate battles conjecture; but that
it is horrible, almost beyond precedent. there can ba
no doubt. There is not one chance in a million for u
successful escape. Whether the unfortunate man
was carried up so high as 10 become benuinoed ana
sepse.ess, death ensuing-Or whether he fell of At
length from his tremendous attitude, 10 have his
breath sucked from him in his fearful descent, and 10
DO sunk 10 the lake or dashed into a sf,apeless mass
upon the earth, il il doubtful If any save God Will
ever know. The mind stands appalled, in contem
plating this fearful disaster, and biindly gropes in
mazes Of wonder at where his place OF sepulture shall
be-.
Mr.. Thurston WIS nu experienced balloon!st, having
built several, aud this being his thirty seventh ascen'
sion. He WAS formerly q resident III the vicinity of
| Lima and Rochester in Western New York, but has
lstterly resided in Adrian, where he WAS extensively
engaged in business IA a nurserynan. He was a
widower, having lost his wife last winter. lie leaves
an interesting daughter about seventeen years OF aga
to mourn her fathers unknown, terrible fate.
From the Detroit Tribune of September 90
THE BALLOON HEARD FROM.
The anxiety to hear tidings of the missing eronsnt,
Mr.. Thursion, is very great, pervadlng the eutire
! community, giving rise 10 countless inquiries and
MANY rumors. We have made careful and extended
inquiries upon The other side, %sn!icient 10 justify US
10 stating that the balloon has come 10 the earth, and
further, that in all probability it was empty. From
a gentleman who was at Bsptiste Creek Oh Saturday
afternoon, between three and four o'clock, We learn
that q large balloon was seen to descend To The ground
in the vicinity Of 9 large tract of wood, across a wide
marsh, some three miles from the station. early in
tbs afternoon. The fact WAS told him by the station
master, who at that time heard nothing of the oc
currence at Adrian, as had not our informant.
The balloon was described "a a large one, and il,
there Ia litilu doubt, the same one that took up the
III fstsd Thurston. What is his fate is sfiil wrapped
in az profound mystery az ever. Ii It shall prove, IA
there seems little doubt il will, to bs empty, the fate
OF the a-onaut is rendered almost certain. The best
that il seems possible 10 hope now il, that ths body
may be recovered aud the exact story OF his tats thus
BIZ revealed.
1t is n little singular that this Mr.. Bannist-r, COM
panion to Mr.. Thurston At the time oil this occurrence,
two years ago made an ascent from the same place,
when, throwing out ballast too freely, he almost i'm
mediately ross out of sight, and WA not heard from
for two days. Ills balloon became unmanagesbls,
and himself nearly persisted with cold, having frozen
both hands and feet. He twice saw Lake Erls pass
beneath him, and finally landed in Pennsylvahll near
Beaver, having, involunlarlly, the longest TRIP ever
made in America.
The Detroit "Free Press" says:
Mr.. Baunist.r is confident that 1hurston is safe,
and establishes he opinion on the following basis -
The balloon having descended proves that ths gas
has escaped this, of course. has been gradual, ns the
balloon was seen moving along, neither ascending
nor de.cending, before il finally rested. lhirston
was safe on il until il had attained is highest eleva.
tion, where be was beyond the Teach ana lbflence
Of counter currents of mir, go that There was no
swaying Of the balloon to cause ~giddiness or sickness;
The DANGER WAS consequently passed: nis dcscent
would be gradual and easy. he probso'y reached
terra Gyma in a s~oinewhst exhausted condition, aud
was Obliged TO lot the balloon 70. ihl-, being
relieved Of his weight. again bounded w., and
travelled along until a sufficient quantity more Of gas
had escaped to allow it to fall.
According TO tbie theory, Thurston may be several
miles from where the balloon was secured, ard not
unlikely laying in the woods, unable. from the Elects
Of his adventure, to help himself, or ne may have
been picked up by some back woods people, atd. be-
ing unable TO communicate with them from The effects
OF cold or loss OF blood, is now lying under Their care.
All, however, is conjecture. but a few day. will clear
the whole thing up, aud the facts will be known. If
be has fallen OF and been killed by the iali from a
giddy height, his body must be found, as, saving tbs
crossing OF the Detroit river, bic route Icy the entire
distance over land, and the track Is we'll defined. Mr..
Bsnnister, after visiting the locality where the balloon
was found, il be does not find the unfortunate man,
will follow back on the track, and continue the search
until the body is recovered.