Arkansas true Democrat., 1860-09-29
F. CONWAY, } A. J. WAGNER, < Com R. F. SLACK.


We copy the following additional particulars fom the Adrian (Wiscousin) Watchtower: It was stated by Mr. Barker, the superin- tndent of the Gas Works, that the balloon had, when 1t left, about l7O00 cubic feet of carbu- rted hydrogen gas Mr. Banister says they tok on about 160 pounds of sand ballast. It. vas not expected that Mir. Thurston would scend with Mir. Banster but when 1t was as crtained that the balloon would carry both with ease, Mir. T., who was an experienced @onaut, was induced to take a position in the or with Mir. Banster. The air was quite calm, llt there were some indications that there ght be high wind by the time appointed for he ascension, and therefore it was decided to at loose from the earth as soon as everything vas ready, which was shortly before 5 o'clock, l. NJ. They made beautiful ascension, rls- hg very rapidly to the night, it was thought, o about two miles, and passed slowly to the sutheast with agentle breeze, in clear sky Ending themselves rising with more force than vas desirable, the valve was opened soon alter he start, and was kept open nearly all the voy- ge until they landed in the open field upon he farm of Mir. J. Dinge in Oglen, about sev- elteen miles, on air line, from the city. Two men, who were at work near them, came i'm nediately to their assistance. They remained Il the car about thirty minutes, during which tme the gas was escaping from the valve, which was about four and half inches square. As it made but slow progress in escaping, Nhurston proposed to detach the car and turn the balloon down so that he could reach the valve and let the gas escape from the balloon. This was done while the men were holding fast b the balloon by the cordage which was being hmoved.
 MT. Canister says the mouth of the balloon vas open and the gas was seen escaping. The disk of the valve, thirteen inches in damter, made of wood, was brought to the ground, and Mr. Thurston stood upon 1t with his feet; hold ine by his hands to the collapsed portion ot the ballon, it being some fifteen feet up to where It was still d;stended with gas. MT. Banister was then directed to disengage the cordage entirely, leavno at the moment but MT. Thurston and Mir. Westerman who was present to assist to hold the ballon. The balloon, now relieved of all the cordage, which weighed about htty pounds the car twenty five pounds, ballast l6o bounds, and Mr. Bansters weight 14O pounds -in all 375 pounds-bounded up in an instant, carrying with it MT. Westerman to the night of ten feet, when he let go and fell to the ground. Mir. Thnrston held to his position, and as he
 
 valve, with the collapsed balloon passing be- tween his legs, and his around it, calling to the men to follow on, saying, It will be all ri tht shortly" He, however, ascended rapid ly. taking southeast direction until he came into current which seemed to carry him north- easterly This was doubtless above the cur rent of wind that conveyed them from the city, and MT. Banister thinks he must have been at least three miles high They continued to watch him through glass nearly an honr, with out perceivng any decided indications of de- scending. A telegraphc dispatch states that the balloon came down in four hours after the accident occurred, near Babtste Creek, in Cana da West and that Mir. Thurston was seen upon it shoI' time before it was secured. If thls be so, th-se is yet chance that his life may be preserved. Al last accounts many people were engaged in searching for him in the marshes near lake St. Clair.