Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-05-14

The New York Balloon AccidentLDea Of
an 'Aeronant By Collapse Of biz Air Yes
sci. w..
The telegraph has already mentioned the
fatal balloon accident In New York, on
Thursday afternoon, by which Augustus M.
Connor, o. pupil of Professor Wise, lost his
life; and Fridays Tribune furnishes these
particulars of the melancholy occurrence:
The portehtous state Of the sky seemed 10
forbid that the promised ascension should
take place, and the fitful gusts of wind that
and through the streets, created doubt in
the minds OF those present as to whether Mr.
Connor would risk his life in so frail fabric
as a balloon. Mr.. Connor did not make his
appearance In the Garden until quarter be-
fore four clock, having been detained in the
lower part Of the city by suit which he had
IN one of the courts, Upon entering the in
Closure he was received with rapturous ap-
plause. he. was accompanied by his wife
and several other relatives and friends niH =
Mr.. Connors assistants had already com
menced the process of imitation, which the
aeronnut now in person superintended, and
the balloon soon contained gas enough to
carry II above the garden walls, at the sight
Of which the people outside loudly cheered
Though detained to the earth by heavy bags
OF sand, the bulky globe sweyed backward
and forward with every gust of wind, and
during momentary gale that sprung up it
was dashed against arlarge lamp, which it
completely deInolhhed. Z IaEE "a
The feafs pf the speetatorsnoW began to be
every side, 6f f;iDoh'f 10 npf EBoS' I 10 10 aS" ~
Several Of Mr.. Connors personal friends at
this time came forward and advised him not
TO make the ascension, as the weather was
very stormy, but the young man replied that
he would go as soon as the squall passed over.
His wife, who was 70 mike an ascension with
him next week, expressed a great desire to go
up with him on the present occasion, but he
said to her very calmly, ''My dear, you must
wait until the next time" .,... ....''
A gentleman near the inclosure noticing
hole in the silk, pointed,it out to Mr.. Connor,
who, in the coolest manner, proceeded totie
1t up with piece of twine.' The same per-
son asked if the rent would make any differ
ence, when Connor laughingly said ut might
cause the balloon to burst and spill him out. :"
Shortly after four O'clock, Mr.. Connor, deem
ing that he had sufficient gas in the balloon,
called a number of gentlemen around him,
and giving each one rope, directed that the
balloon be allowed TO gradually rise until the
basket only rested upon the ground. This
was done, but the balloon was very restive,
being rocked about by the wind in afrightfui
Iull,
bat the throat seemed fiabby.
The audience again urged Mr.. G. not to
make the ascension, but he laughed at their
fears. Bidding. an affeetionate adieul to his
wife and intimate friends, Mr.. Connor en-
tered his car and called upon those who held
the ropes to close up and take strong hold
upon the basket, which they did. Everything
being in readiness, ut a preconcerted signal
every man relaxed his hold, but the balloon,
instead Of rising perpendicplarly from the
ground, lnnged off in a westerly direction.
The monster body, driven! BY the squall
that just then arose. demolished large trans
parency with which it came in contact and,
striking the metal cornish of the bali and
concert building, bent'it like SO much thin
lead. The wind subsiding the balloon rose
above the high ornaments on the building re-
ferred to, and then suddenly collapsed, and
with its basket and occupant instantly dis
appeared from sight. A scene of the widest
confusion now ensued, Mrs. Conner, and a
female relative who accompanied her, faintine
and falling helpless upon the ground.
Loud shrieks rent the air. both inside and
outside of the Garden and the frantic people
rushed hither and thither without knowing
why or wherefore. Mnny people, under the
impression that the balloon had fallen into
the yards Of the houses on Fourteenth-street
or had risen and landed upon the roofs of the
neighboring- buildings attempted to. gain
admission 70 said premises, but were repdised
by some Policemen. ,,,,,
Officer Rabineau of the Sixteenth Ward,
and Officer Westerfeld- of the Ninth, sue
ceeded in gaining the roof of the Concert
Hall, where they found young Connor lying
in an insensibIe condition, covered with the
wreck of his balloon. With great difficulty
he was removed TO the hall, and examined by
a physician, who pronounced him injured
internally, and in such manner as to pre-
clude thepossibility Of his recovery. nc rFr
Mr.. Connor continued to sink very RAPIDLY,
and expired at II O'clock last night in the
arms of his wife. His injuries were of an
internal nature, and were received by striking
against the ornaments on the building.