Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-09-25

PRoF- WIsk's BALLOON CoLLAPsEs.-A Per-
tIcus Descent The ascension OF Prof Wise in
his beautiful balloon, the Skylark from Peters
burg. Va ON Thursday afternoon, came near
ending seriously. 1T appears be reached an alti-
tude OF about one mile, crossed James river twice,
and was seen from City Point All this time gas
was slowly escaping from a small rent accident
ally made in the balloon before starting The
Petersburg Express says:-About fourteen miles
from Ric hmond, Of which city he had fine view,
he commenced to make for large field Of several
hundred acres, and by means Of sklllful manage
ment descended gently towards II. When about
one thousand feet from the earth, and directly
over the Held, the assure In the balloon rapidly
enlarged, attaining length OF between ten and
fifteen feet The escape Of gas was now tremen-
dous, and the descent fearfully rapid and direct.
signing to escape the shock which threatened the
car upon reaching the ground. The precaution
was doubtless well, but did not avert the whole
danger. The car struck the ground with terrible
force, the balloon, completely collapsed, fell, and
the professor was thrown violently backwards
over the car, his back striking the rim and nearly
knocking him senseiess. A large number of per-
soma who were following him below and saw him
fail, were unable to find him until after long
search, the descent being made in sort Of GLEN
Iankiy oyergrown with weeds, where he lay,
hardly able to move, for half an hour, when he
was discovered. Such was the violence Of the
shock that his watch bounded from his pocket
and being torn loose, was thrown several Yards
away Prol. Wise was not seriously injured.
A HoRRIp MuRDKR IN PHLADELPHIA-Lateon
Friday tbs body of an unknown man was found
by citizen at the corner Of Diamond and Ham
cock streets, with pistol wound in his mouth,
that evidently produced death. From the fact
THAR there was no pistol found near him, ii was
supposed to be murder, besides the deceased had
tne appearance Of having been In a severe fight
His tight eye was blscked and closed; his left
cheek much bruised, and portion Of his clothing
torn That II Is most revolving and cold blooded
murder there cannot be a shadow of doubt Dur
Ing the night and Saturday morning Il vast mum.
Der of persons visited the station house. but none
Of them were able to identify the body. Saturday
afternoon, however, the body of the murdered
man was recognized by his sister-iu-law. His
name was Robert Crawford, Scotchman by birth.
residing In Second street He was a manufacture
OF Ingram carpets, and he was In the habit Of
sending his goods to auction Last evening he
went out after supper for the purpose of buying
carpet-yarn, telling his wife that we would Be al
home at half past 10 O'Clock. He did not return
during the night, and this distracted wife having
heard Of the murder during the morning sus,
Pected that her husband was the victim Mr.
Crawford leaves seven children. He was tenn
Perate ana steady man, and member of the
Presbyterian Church. Within day or two Mr.
Crawford had sum Of money stolen from his
house, and a boarder i'm the house was robbed
also recently. The deceased seldom carried much
money about his period. The murder appears to
have been most attrocious and unprovoked
crime, and the authorities should leave no effort
untried to bring the guilty wretches to justice.
FROM MKxIco.-By way of Vera Cruz we have
aceounsfrom the city of Mexico to the 10Th ult
Inc II oerai army was reported to be advancing
rapidly on the city; That portion which had
left Queretaro Is said to number II 800 men. sup
ported by seventy-six pieces of artillery, with
train Of five hundred wagons Of ammunition ana
baggage The forces Of the South, numbering
OUO men, were Advancing from Cuerravaca
Ortega was also expected from Guadalsjara Gen
Mtramon's army ct that time In and about the
city Is stated at 600 men, supported by sixty or
seventy pieces of artillery and IL was not Thought
that he would be able to command under any
circumstances, more than 9,O0O men and ninety
pieces OF artillery. conflict was expected to
take place about the eth instant. The most Wig
orous efforts were making to defend the city, and
amongst those most active In providing means
was senior Pacheco, the new Spanish Minister.
President uarez, Of Vera Cruz has refused to sur
render the bark Maria Conception, which was
demanded by the Spanish Commodore. The CITY,
however, had not been bombarded