The penny press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1859-1860, 1859-10-11
What La Mountain Meant To DO.

What La Mountain Meant To DO.
Tho Troy Tines of Monday, printed before
the news af La Mountains safety had been re-
ceived, gives the following explanation of bis
and intentions:
Mr.. La Mountain had calculated upon max
ing an ascension from Watertown on the 18th
of September, and all his arrangements were
perfected with that view. But those who had
the matter in charge afterward requested that
the time should be changed to the 22d. Mean
while, when on the cars bound west, Mr.. La
Mountain purchased New York paper, in
which he found an article giving an elaborate
description of the mammoth balloon built by
Carlincourt-or, as the paper called him,
Lowe-at Hoboken, for tho Atlantic voyage.
With that rapidity of determination which
charaoterizes him, he at once, although ticketed
some distance further, got off the cars at Rome,
took the next train of cars east, connected with
the Hudson River train at this city, and went
on to New York, without stopping to consult,
or even see single friend here. Arriving at
Jersey City, he found matters so secretly con-
Quoted there that he could by NO device obtain
sight Of the monster balloon.
Going back to New York he traced out the
author Of the article, obtained an introduction
to him under an assumed name, representing
himself as mechanic who had devoted much
attention to the study of ballooning, and who
was desirous, if he could persuade himself that
the arrangements had been properly made, to
take @ passage with Carlincourt. Mr.. La
Mountain learned enough to satisfy him that
the monster balloon was really almost compile
ted, and that Its owner would certainly attempt
the passage. He then went to Mr.. Oatman,
who had pledged him $4,000 to build tho
"Atlantic" balloon, informed him what he had
learned, and proposed to go right to work if
the funds were furnished, build his balloon in
less than two weeks, and make his trip ahead
of Carlincourt. Mr.. 0atman objected, said
there was no use of entering n field already
occupied; and told him that if the big balloon
failed, he would then furnish the funds-not
before.
Mr.. La Mountain returned to this CITY
greatly excited on the subject. It was his
opinion that Mr.. Oatmsn had abandoned him.
He knew that Mr.. eager, his former partner
had been written to on the subject, and believed
that he had induced 0atman to help Carlin-
court, for the purpose of running him.
The connection ofMr. Gager's name with the
last enterprise, strengthened this,impression. He
felt that he was about to be deprived of all he
had labored, studied and sacrificed time and
money to accomplish, just when the object was
within his reach. He came to us and had q
long and absorbing conversation on the subject.
Carlincourt, he said, was advised to leave on
the 9th Of October. IF he started under favor
able circumstances, he was sure to accomplish
the voyage. "That," said he, "would be an
end Of John La Mountain" Then, rejecting
upon the subject moment, he declared that
rather than have Carlincourt cross the ocean
first, he would make the attempt with his
small balloon. We figured up the capacities of
the globe, and our conclusion was, that if in
fated to the full with pure hydrogen, it would
have an ascensiVe power Of six hundred pounds
above the weight Of two men Of ordinary size.
The voyage with this same balloon, from st.
Louis to Lake Ontario, 1,1OO miles was accom-
plished with less than one hundred pounds of
ballast.
The conclusion Mr.. LaMontain reached
was, that the easterly current would surely
be found four miles above the earth; that it
would carry him at least sixty miles an
hour; that, therefore, the passage could
be accomplished in less than two days; that,
one hundred pounds of ballast would be all
he should need, leaving five hundred pounds
for contingencies. Stating time when the
eastern current is less to be depended upon
than at other periods, he.said, "Carlincourt
has never studied the matter, and he would
be fool enough to start just at that time"
Finally he said, "Never mind; let them all
desert me. will fill the balloon with pure