Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-11-14
MisteIlaneu1ls Artitles.
From the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
NIGHT RIDE IN A BALLOON.

! An exchange INFORMS us That an eeronauC named
Thompson, who ascended recently from Toronto,
descended safely near this city, the balloon having
been taken by q strong current across the lake.
Much anxiety was felt in Toronto as to Thompson
fate before the telegram arrived announcing his
safe landing. Mr. Thompson gives the following
account of his adventure: 'cThe balloon assembled
at 49, and from the velocity the balloon was tray
eling at, soon perceived it was foolish to try to
descend 1t soon became evident to me that land
ing in Canada was out of the question, and that
all Arrangements must be made to drive across the
lake. The first thing that struck me was to drop
the grapne to the full extent, 120 feet. This act
ed as guide to the distance the balloon might be
kept above the surface Of the water, it being now
dark and by placing one hand on the rope, the ef-
forts of the grapnel striking the water was distinct
" felt With an open bag of ballast on my knee,
every time the grapnel struck the water a couple
of handsfull of sand were thrown out, and to this
plan alone owe my own preservation and success.
The ballast taken was about $50 pounds. For three
hours that plan was carried out and then came
one of the most drenching and merciless rains 1
have ever felt. could not see fifteen feet before
me, and the noise of the rain on the balloon and
the water was such as to entirely unnerve me. My
hands became numb, and was drenched to the
skin. now began to perceive my position more
acutely, though determined not to give up until
all the ballast and movables were gone. The rain
was making the balloon heavier every moment,
and the ballast was thrown out more freely till a.
bout ten o'clock, when the fatigue overcame me,
and fell into stupor for few moments. BY
this time the balloon had descended to within six
feet of the water, and instantly out went twenty
eight pounds of ballast. The effect Of this was
that the balloon rose to an altitude Of mile, en-
tirely through the rain clouds, and then the moon
shone brilliantly and in this position it remained
about quarter of an hour. The effect of the
moon shining on the cloud beneath, was such as
any artist might be proud Of The shadow Of the
balloon was distinctly to be seen travelling over the
rough and uneven clouds, giving the idea Of bal
loon race. Everything now became calm. No
longer the hum of the lake or the rain. All was
still, but whether the storm still ragged beneath was
unknown. As the balloon descended, it was evil
dent change had come over the scene The rain
had ceased and the appearance OF everything was
Of the darkest hue; whether it was an under stra-
tum of dark clouds couldnot be known. Sudden
ly gImmer of light was seen for moment; then
with anxious eyes cast down to perceive any object
at last small squares, with darker margins, were
clearly visible These proved to be the fields and
hedges and they appeared to vanish as quickly as
objects passed when in an express train. A town
was at last seen and heard the sound Of musical
;,.rmonto called ont tn know where was,
but the reply was uninteligible. They, however,
saw it was balloon. About two miles further on
the grapnel caught in large oak tree, and held
fast This afterwards proved to be little village
near Cleveland. I then called out Justify; the
sounds of persons singing and playing music was
heard. Those proved to be four young men who
had been to ball. They were natives Of Cleve-
land, and as they advanced nearer, my voice was
heard. They at once set to work so pull the bal
loon out of the woods and convey it to a field
where it could be folded up. 1t was then three
O'clock in the morning."