The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1859-06-09
The Balloon Ascension.

vertised to come off at Kalamazoo, on
the 7th inst, we stepped aboard the
mail train on the M. G. R. r. on Tues
day last, and found ourself, after an
hour and half pleasant jaunt over
this popular road elbowing our way
through the crowd of hack-drivers,
strangers, omnibuses and horses, to the
Burdick House, where we arrived
after making several desperate jumps
over bitches, and sundry lodges among
the various vehicles congregated about
the depot and along the streets-all
safe and sound, which we considered
quite feat.
We noticed as we passed along, that
the streets were already thronged with
an excited crowd, eager as one man
expressed it," to see the darned thing
60 up" After having the outer man
thoroughly renovated by the Knight of
the razor and shears, we proceeded to
the dining room to discuss the good
things, that the gentlemanly proprietors
of this popular house, know SO well
how to prepare. At this house both
hosts and servants have a way of
making every body feel perfectly at
home, and we would say to our friends,
who visit Kalamazoo, on business or
pleasure, that you can do no better than
to make the Burdick House your home
during your stay there.
After satisfying the cravings of the
"inner-man," we, in company with a
few friends, proceeded to the Public
Park, which had been granted to Mr..
Bannister, to gaze upon the monster
that was soon
"To walk the air like thing of life,"
with our own optics.
Upon the payment of quarter, we
were admitted inside canvass,
stretched on poles around the balloon, to
shield 1t from the aoiad. The balloon
was already filled, the initiation having
been commenced on Monday at 2
o'clock, and completed on Tuesday
noon. The Balloon was built last sea-
son under the auspices of the Inflated
eronaut, Ira J. Thurston, and cost, in
Guiding labor, &C., nearly $500. It's
dimensions, as We learn from the
Telegraph are as follows:-It is &c feet
long, 40 in diameter, and has a capacity
of $4,000 cubic feet. One thousand
yards of silk were used in constructing
it. The silk is of strong quality, was
prepared by oiling, and near the valve
lined to increase the strength. A net
work of cord is thrown over the balloon,
to which the car is attached. The
whole establishment, ready to travel,
weighs us lbs; when fully inflated has
a lifting power of 1000 lbs.
Fifteen thousand feet of gas were
used to initiate the monster on this oc-
casion. 1t is estimated that over
twenty thousand persons must have
witnessed the ascension. There were
ten thousand on and about the grounds.
AT 81 o'clock, p. m, everything being
ready, Mr.. Bannister seated himself in
the car, and the ropes being slackened
the balloon rose to the height of the
canvass, when gust of wind swept ii
SO that two of the ropes caught one Of
the poles; the balloon swayed in that
critical position moment, then cleared
itself, brushed through the foliage of a
high old bur oak, and finally assembled
rapidly and majestically into the clear
ether. A strong southerly wind drove
it swiftly to the northward and east
ward. As it moved up through the
trees that surrounded the park. Mr.
Bannister waved his hat to the excited
crowd, who in return gave the success
full eronaut hearty cheer.
The ascension was, in every particu
lar, so far as we are able to Judge, 9
very successful one, and every one
present appeared highly satisfied. As
, regards ourself, we must say, that il
f was one of the finest sights We ever
beheld.
During the afternoon, the crowd in
the Park, were indebted to the Kalama
zoo Brass Band, for some soul-stirring
music, which, we understand was dis
pensed gratis.
The whole affair reflects great credit
upon the citizens of Kalamazoo, anG
will rebound, we doubt not, with ten
fold benefit to the place.
We understand that dispatch wa'
received here yesterday stating tina
Mr.. Bannister had made safe descen
at a station on the Detroit and Mil
waukee railroad.