The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1859-07-14
From the Buffalo Express.
The Balloon Excursion from st. Louis to
the SeabOard.

From the Buffalo Express
The Balloon Excursion from st. Louis tS
the Seaboard.
Mr.. William Hyde, of the ST. Louis
Republican, one of the party of aero
nauts who left ST. Louis in the mann
mouth balloon, Atlantic, with the in
tention of travelling in mid air, arrived
in this city yesterday morning on the
train from the east, and stopped thro
the day at the Mansion house. We
endeavored to see him, but he had re-
tired to bed Immediately upon his arrival
completely exhausted by his long
and perilous air voyage, and we were
obliged to forgo the pleasure of con
versing with him. From a friend who
was fortunate enough to meet him upon
his first arrival, and listen to a brief
narrative of the events of his journey,
we have obtained the following partic-
ulars:
The party, composed of himself.
Prof. Wise, Prof. LaMountain, and
another whose name we did not learn,
left St. Louis at 1920 P. M. Friday.
The balloon Immediately arose to an
altitude of about two miles, which was
the highest point gained during the
trip. Here they found the casterly cur
rent expected and sailed along at the
rate Of about mile per minute. The
air was intensely cold and several ex-
ira garments failed to prevent con-
slant shivering among them. 1t be-
came at last insufferable, and Prof.
Wise, thinking to find the same current
nearer the earth, allowed the balloon
to descend few hundred feet. Here
they were struck with a current run
ming north which, before they could
again ascend, carried them several de-
grees to the northward, thus passing
north of Buffalo, when they intended
passing this point much farther south.
AT about 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon
they were over Lake Ontario, when
Prof. Wise experimental in the differ
ent currents in order to gain informa-
ton for his atlantic trip. This brought
them in contact with the gale which
prevailed over this portion of the
country, and ere they could rise above
it, the balloon boat struck the water
and was dashed into a thousand pieces
the voyagers being in the car above.
Everything, coats, boots, provisions
and books were thrown overheard in
order to tighten the balloon, and it soon
rose about fifty feet and passed on to
the land in st. Lawrence Co. Here
they were met by a dense forest and
the graphing irons Every large, weigh
ing ten pouEds) attached to ropes fifty
feet in length were thrown out. The
balloon at that time was making two
miles per minute, and the irons seized
larged limbs of trees, tearing them
from the trunk, and giving the track
they made the appearance as Of one
caused by a whirlwind. At times the
car upset, and the balloonists chung to
the ropes for safety. AT P. NJ, on
Saturday the car caught in high tree,
and the force of the wind swung the
balloon around near a small village,
from whence Mr.. Hyde came to this CITY
on his return to st. Louis, and the rest
of the party went to Albany.
The Troy daily Wig learns from
Mr.. eager one of the passengers by
the Atlantic, who arrived in Troy this
morning, give the following particu-
lars:
Saturday, II P. NJ, st. Louis time,
were abreast OF Rochester, over Lake
Ontario, when the altitude was changed
on increase of the wind, which was
blowing perfect hurricane, unaccom-
panied by rain. The supply gas was
small, consequently the balloon did not
reach the altitude above the storm.
The vessel wns Immediately headed for
shore. When the storm was highest,
the vessel was only about thirty feet
above the lake.
"We reached land in few seconds
in the town of Henderson, Jefferson
County, with all hands on board. We
landed in an edge of woods with the
basket swinging to and fro, making
rapid evolutions among the higher
branches of the trees, the passengers
to the rigging. The strength
and general excellence of the arrange
ment of the balloon basket, probably
saved the party. The balloon was left
in high tree, swinging above the boat
and much damaged.
" The whole distance travelled is l.
$50 miles; we started at $40 r. M. on
Friday from st. Louis, and landed at
Henderson, Jefferson Co. at 2:2O Satur-
day p. NJ"
MIR. Lamountain remained in charge
of the balloon, Mr.. Wise, Mr.. eager
and Mr.. Hyde, will come on in the
eastern train. A grand reception was
given to the parties at the town of Adams
Jefferson County. Mr.. eager will come
on to Troy, Mr.. Wise to Albany and
Mr.. Hyde to New York.
MORE RAILROAD TRoUBLEs.-The