The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-10-05
THE MUSIC.
The Balloon Ascension.

(CltUORtUn.
About six months ago the ex-committee Of
! the Caledonia County Fair Ground Company
were solicited by one Of the firm of King X
Allen of Providence, K. l., to enter into
contract with them for "a balloon ascension
from the Fair Grounds some day during our
annual Fair. They exhibited numerous ,es-
tmonlals of their success in city and coun-
try, and We believe it to be true that though
the business of ballooning is attended with
great uncertainties. they never failed before
but once, and that was at Bradford some five
years since. \ contrac. between them and
the Company was finally closed and the I'M
dersigned were appointed committee to
make the necessary arrangement on the 9th
ult. All and even more provision made on
former occasions of balloon ascensions from
our Grounds were made on this-fortv hun
dred pounds of the best quality of sulphuric
acid, and thirty hundred pounds of iron. and
occasion were seasonably prepared and on
the arrival OF Messrs. King & Allen the pre-
paration was under their specia! supervision,
and they were directed to order any and eve
ry additional article needed by way of prepa-
ration and we are not aware of any defeicn-
cy for the manufacture Of gas. The dav, to
be sure, was unpropitious on account of the
frequent squalls before and at about noon.-
After commencing the operation of imitation
the balloon was blown about, and, at times,
with considerable violence. Several ruptures
were discovered, and, of course, so far as
any could DE ascertained to exist, we're re-
paired.
The numerous persons present could but
have noticed the slow progress made in the
imitation, and by clock it became app aren't
that the necessary ascensional power to take
up three or even one person, was not likely
to be attained. Messrs. King & Allen still
hoped to succeed, but failing, at IL o'clock,
let the balloon take its flight without even
the car. This was done in the belief that it
would afford some satisfaction to the numer.
Gus persons present. and as the best thing
that could be done under the circumstances.
1t was common misfortune, and none could
share in it SO deeply as Messrs King x AL
len and the Fair Ground Company.
The Fair Ground Company spared no pains
or expense to make the ascension successful
in every particular, according to the pro.
gramme. Messrs. King & Allen were anx-
ious that it should be so, that they might OBJ
tain not only the fees for partial ascensions
which they were to receive, but, according to
contract with the Company, handsome stip-
ulated sum for the final ascension.
The Fair Ground Company lost their large
expenditure, and Messrs. King T. Allen their
expected fees, and forfeited the sum specified
to be paid them by the Company, and lost
their balloon.
The undersigned make these statements
that the public may see that all parties con-
cerned shared in the mishap, and that there
could be no other purpose on the part of any
body concerned but to carry out the program
according to its letter.
The Fair Ground Company, in considera-
ton of the loss Of the balloon, partially re-
munerated Messrs. King & Allen for it, and
still hope it may be recovered.
5 Hss:i S S5 Ss;s:'''' ''''''" Com.