Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-05-10
Adventures Of an Aeronaut.
FROM CINCINNATI TO SOUTH CAROLINA IN MINI
HOURS.

L. Il
cens;on from Cincinnati on the Doth of April
starting about Eve O'Clock in the morning. lie
passed over parts of Kentucky, the Cumberland
mountains, and part of Virginia. He thus de-
scrbes the latter portion of his trip:
Feeling uneasy lest should get into South
Carolina before could get out Of the current
formed by the mountains, I discharged guam
tity of ballast and again ascended, with the
hope of clearing them to the north, continued
to discharge weight and let off gas until l at
tanned an elevation of $4,000 feet above the
sea. Here the thermometer fell to III degrees
below zero; the water, fruit and other things
froze, and it required all the clothing and
blankets had TO keep me warm.
1t was now twelve O'Clock, and l could dis
tiuguish the blue ocean in the eastern horizon.
Not having sufficient ballast to remain at that
great altitude. the balloon gradually sank down
to within twelve thousand feet oil tne earth.
Here the current was little sou!n Oh east
again, and knowing that the coast IN tnat d.
rection was an uninhabitable swamp. and being
desiro,ls of landing near railroad, concluded
to descend and look out good place l heard
the firing of cannon, and concluded was near
some village; aud on nearing the earth, over q
plantation, caused great CONSERVATION among
the inhabitants, who seemed to be entirely un-
acquainted with such q scene, and 1t was some
minutes before any one could be persuaded to
approach; and when they did they would not
render me any assistance, but threatened de-
struction to the "hellish' contrivance that had
frightened them 60; but learned of them that
was in the township of Spartansburg, near
the line Of North and South Carolina They
would not believe that had sailed from the
State of Ohio that morning, and informed me
that they would be very thankful If would
leave, and ordered the negroes to let 60 of the
ropes they were holding.
Being desirous Of getting near railroad, l
threw out bag Of sand and commenced to as
cend. At that moment one OF the bystanders,
seeing the bag of sand fall, sang out, "Hello,
stranger, come back; reckon you have lost
your baggage" / arose 1000 feet, and there
remained until was waited some twenty miles
further TO the East, which occupied about half
an hour moro, during which time l heard many
discharges of what took to be muskets. Not
knowing, but being apprehensive that the globe
over my head was the object of the firing, l
prepared for making all the signals possible
when should again near the earth, but while
was thus elevated had no fear, for 1t was
impossible to send ball within mile OF me.
When within half mile of the earth heard
loud cries of terror, and saw people running in
all directions; but was determined to land for
good this time, let come what would, and in
five minutes more the anchor took firm hold
in short scrub oak, and the car gently touch
ed the ground. Thus fast, the globe gently
swinging to and fro, presented very life like
appearance soon noticed some heads peeping
around the corner Of log hut that stood near
by, and in which there seemed to be persons In
great distress. called to them to come and as.
sist me, at which they took no notice until
threatened to cut loose and run over them, after
which two white boys, three old ladies and three
negroes, in body, ventured within twenty feet
of me.
At that moment gust of wind caused the bal
loon to swing over near the ground, and gener.
al stampede took place, which caused me to
abandon all hope of getting any assistance; but
after telling them it was fastened to tree, and
would not burt any of them, they again ventur.
ed up, in company with stalwart looking young
woman, six feet high and well proportioned, and
took hold of the edge OF the car. / inquired
what was the matter in the house, and was told
that several old persons were praying, as they
thought the day of judgment had come. then
asked if there were any white men about. They
said they expected them every minute; that they
saw the great thing coming, and had run for
their guns. This was rather an unpleasant
piece of information, and l was determined to
keep as large a crowd around me as possible.
In few minuets men with muskets began to
collect, but seeing women, children and negroes
surrounding the air traveller, there seemed to be
no use for firearms; so discharged the gas un.
molested, and packed up the machine ready to
leave. By this time several more rough looking
fellows arrived, and threatened destruction to
the devil that could travel through the air-one
adding that he had followed ten miles, and had
shot at it six times without any effect.
The tall young woman aforesaid assured me
that there was no danger, for all the men then
in the neighborhood were towards, as all the
brave ones had gone to the wars, notwithstand
ing they all declared they were not afraid; how
ever, promising to give myself up when ar
rived at the village, they consented should
leave under guard of nine men. Procuring q
team, we started for Unionville, a village nine
miles distant, and arrived that evening, halting
in front of stone building with small check
cred window. council was held with the
jailor, who positively refused to allow any
such animal as they described to come into the
building.
was then taken to hotel, and soon found
persons of intelligence, who assured me that l
was among friends, Here remained over the
Sabbath. and was called upon by many persons
of fine education. who Informed me that Of all
| the places in the South, the spot where landed
the inhabitants were the most Ignorant, for
they could neither read nor write.
The next morning started en- route for home,
but news had reached Columbia, the capital OF
South Carolina, that a man had brought papers
from Cincinnati, Ohio, only nine hours old. ]
was therefore at first arrested on suspicion OF
being bearer of dispatches.
This brought together number of learned
and scientific gentlemen, who at once knew me
by reputation, and saw my position, and was
| immediately released, and furnished with q
passport by the Mayor of Columbia, From
this time until | reached Cincinnati, no NOR,
impedments were placed In my way.