Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-09-28
A Balloonist LOST in the Sky.

We have learned full particulars of the balloon
ascension at Adrian, on 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 1t makes the flesh
creep and sends shudder through every nerve
The first ascension took place about nine o.
clock In the morning. TWAS on tho occasion OF
large Sunday School celebration ut Adrian'-
The balloon was very large and well construct
ed one, being about the height OF two'story
building when inflated and ready 70 cut loose
from its fastenings. Messrs. 5annister ano
Thurston took seats in the car, attached 10 tne
balloon and assembled safely and steadily. Aitel
remaining about 40 minutes in the air, sailing
towards Toledo all the time, they alighted In the
woods IN the town of Riga, l.enaWee county
near knights station on the Southern road, dis.
Itant about Is miles west of Toledo. Several
men came to the assistance of TIE adventurers,
and they proceeded to prepare the balloon for
packing to be taken back to Adrian.
SIndOing this, the monster balloon was turned
over and partially upside down to disentangle
the netting and to reach the valve. TO DO this,
Mr.. Ira Thurston, one of the eronauts, took oil
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 suddenness of o rocket, taking Mr..
Thdfston along with it, seated upon the valve
of the balloon, and holding on 10 the collapsed
Glib Of tho chin in hat nf ire hnlk
In this perfectly helpless condition the Inflated
man sped straight into the sky in the full sight
of his companions even more helpless than him
self. So far as is known, there was no possible
means for him to secure his descent, whether
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 precerious hold, and
60 whithersoever the currents of air should take
him.
Without regulation or control of any kind the
balloon continued to mount upward, sailing of
fatal ascension took place about IL O'Clock, and
at few minutes past noon it was seen in the
town of Blissfeld, Lenawee county, apparently
full three miles high, and about the size of star
| in appearance. 1t was still going up and on!-
visible going in the direction of Maiden, as as
certained 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 million for successful escape. Whether
the unfortunate man was carried up so high as
to become benumbed and senseess, death ensu'
ing-or whether he fell off ct 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 contempla-
ting this fearful disaster, and blindly gropes in
mazes of wonder at where his place of sepulchre
shall be.
Mr.. Thurston was an experienced balloonist,
having built several, and this being his thirty
seventh ascension. He was formerly resident
in the vicinity of Lima and Rochester in West
ern New York, but has lately resided in Adrian,
where he was extensively engaged in business as
nurseryman. He was a widower, having lost
his wife last winter. He leaves an interesting
daughter about seventeen years of age to mourn
her fathers unknown, terrible fate!-Detr0tt
| Tribune, Sept. 18th.