Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-09-29


As our citizens are well aware, Professor John Ia
Mountain made most magnificent ascension from
our Fair ground on Friday afternoon last We now
regret to say that splendid ascension termina-
ted most seriously, Mr.. la Mountain meeting with an
accident BY means Of which he came near losing
his life.
AT precisely four O'Clock on Friday afternoon
last, everything being 10 readiness the ropes, the
balloon were loosened and Professor La Mountain
sailed of in truly majestic style ia a course due
east He arose rapidly until he reached upper cur
rent, when the Atlantic Travelled along at a velocity
exceeding one nile minute. 1t travelled at this
speed for upwards of thirty miles, Professor La
Mountain sever Plttsfeld, Mass, and
looked out for place to land. He discovered fine
meadow located between two high mountains, ard
determined upon efeeting 1t there. He acted ac-
ted accordingly and the Atlantic descended Just as
majestically as it had assembled, and ahghted safe
and sound upon the farm of a Mr.. Wood, about six
miles from Pittsfeld. Time from starting: Twenty
nine minutes. But he had no sooner arrived on
terra ynd and was about to vacate his basket, than
tornado came sweeping through the vale and car
ried the Atlantic off with it. Here Professor La
Mountain could have landed had he seen fit,
but ne preferred staying with his balloon at all haz
ards. In few seconds the Atlantic was elevated to
a distance of five hundred feet Professor La
Mountain possesses remarkable presence of mind,
ana fully realized his dangerous situation. When he
leit mere he had about seventy pounds of ballast
winch the still retained He commenced launch
ing 1t out. Up the the mountain slope the balloon
travelled at fearful rate. As it reached the top il
| struck the earth and ploughed it up with asmuch
ease as would an earthquake. Over the mountain
| top It went. At this moment the balloon was going
neadong' dragging the basket and Professor La
mountain after 1t, at speed of over one mile min
Ute AT this point the elements tossed the balloon
about IN fearful manner, and the Professor saws
tnat during the whole Of his experience he never
met with anything so threatening. He thought
that nothing but instantaneous death awaited
| him. At times the basket would be nearly as
high as the balloon, and both swayng to and
| fro, clashing together like angry waves no
the ocean. onward he sped, until the basket was
dashed against stone wall with tremendous force
| and by which means Mr.. La Mountain received his
i injuries BY the conclusion his left hip. shoulder
and knee was terribly bruised and also his head
! One finger on his left hand was badly jammed, and
yet, with ali these bruises and gashes upon his BODY
La Mountain thinks nothing Of them. CARRYING
away portion Of the stone wall the Atlantic struck
small maple tree, the top of which it whipped off
as though it were pipe-stem. Some Of the branch
having caught in the netting tore II considerable
The balloon also suffered from this collision The
aerial ship next encountered larger maple against
| which 1t dashed broadside. Here Mr.. La Mountain
was disengaged from his balloon but by what means
he is unable to explain. He thrown out and fell
to the ground. He lay here for few minutes in a
partially InSensiDle state and as soon as he became
really conscious Of his predcament he looked after
the Atlantic. On casting his eye upward he discoV-
cred it wrapped about the tree in collapsed con-
dition 1t was greatly shattered and torn and the
basket broken. Mr. La Mountain laid on the grass
until help came when he removed to the house
of Mr.. Wood, whose family kindly cared for him
Mr. Wood and his sons then set about removing the
balloon. This was taken from its Judgment and also
brought down to the house.
! Mr.. Wood, who saw the collision, informed Mr.
La Mountain that he expected to find him dead when
he reached the hill top. Mr.. Wood also says thai
when the balloon collapsed it like the report Of
| a gun.
When Mr.. La Mountain was thrown out here hG
lost his watch. Il was subsequently picked up by
one of Mr.. Woods boys. 1t was still running, and
the hands marked five O'Clock.
Mr.. La Mountain remained at Mr.. Woods houss
till Saturday, when he went to Pittsfeld and tool
the cars for home He arrived at his residence il
Lansingburgh at nine O'Clock Saturday night Yes
terday we visited him, and were surprised to inC
him about, and apparently in good spirits. The
| above narrative we learned from himself.
Mr.. La Mountain Is a brave He hates tt
exhibit any signs of suffering, yet know that h'
must be in great pain. Notwithstanding all this h
purposes going up again Thursday next from
Cambridge, if the Atlantic can be got ready.