Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-10-01


We have learned full particulars of the Balloon AS
censon at Adrian Thursday, its subsequent descent
and its second ascension and runaway with the ronaut
while beyond his control 1t IS brief narrative but of
thrilling interest A man lost in the sky There can
scarcely be more terrible thought It makes the flesh
creep and sends shudder through every nerve
The first ascension took place about nine o'clock in
the morning It was on the occasion of large Sunday
School celebration at Adrian. The balloon very
large and well constructed one being about the height
of twostOry building when inflated and ready to cut
loose from its astenings Messrs. Bannster and Thurs
ton took seats in the attached to the balloon and
assembled safely and steadily After remaining about
forty minutes in the air. sailing towards Toledo all the
time, they aghted in the woods in the town of Riga
Lenawee county, Knights station on the Southern
to the assistance of the adventurers and they
proceeded to prepare the balloon for packing be taken
back to Adrian
In doing this the monster balloon was turned over and
partially upside down to dsentarge the netting and to
reach the valve To do this Mr. Ira Thurston one of
the aronaus took off his coat and got astrde of the
vaveblock He then suggested that the be detach
ed from the balloon while he should hold it down with
his weight. This proved fearful calculation, for no
the still inflated body relieved of the weight
of the than it shot into the air with the suddennes
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 Inflated man sped
straight into the sky in the full sight of his companions
even more he'll less than himself So far as is known
there possible means for him to secure his de-
scent whether safe otherwise. The part of the bal
loon filled with gas full twelve feet above him. so
that there chance for him to cut it and escape
He could only cling to his precarous hold and 60 with
ersoever the currents of air should take him.
Without regulation control of any kind the balloon
continued to mount upward, sailing off in the direction
of this city and Lake Erie. The fatal ascension took
place about IL O'clock and at few minutes past noon
1t was seen in the town of Bliss6ed, Lenawee county,
apparently three miles high and about the size of star
in appearance. 1t was still going up and on. At "a
quarter past O'Clock it was last dmy visible going in
the direction Of Maiden, ascertained by compass
bearings taken by parties observing it.
What is his exact fate battles conjecture but that it
is horrible almost beyond precedent there can be no
doubt There is not one chance in a million for a sue
cesstu escape Whether the unfortunate man was car
ricd up so high to become benumbed and senseless
death ensuingor 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 dash
ed into shapeess upon the EARTH it is doubtful if
any save God will ever know. The mind stands appa-
led in contemplating this fearful disaster, and bndy
gropes in of wonder at where his place of sepu
| ture shall be.
MIR. Thurston was experienced balloonst, having
built several and this being his thirtyseventh ascension
He formerly a resident in the vicinity of Lima and
Rochester, in Western New York but has latterly resi-
ded in Adrian, where he extensively engaged in bu
siness as nursery man. He was widower, having
lost his wife last winter He leaves an interesting
daughter about seventeen years of age to her
i fathers unknown, terrible fate