Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-10-08

City. sn
aAnexcbange informs us that an aeronaut
named Thompson, who assembled recently
from Toronto, descended safely near this
city, the balloon having been taken by
strong upper current across the lakes.
Much anxiety was felt in Toronto as to
Thompson's fate before the telegram ar
rived announcing his safe landing. Mr..
Thompson gives the following account of
his adventure: 1.-THE balloon assembled at
4:40, and from the velocity the balloon was
travelling at, / soon perceived it was fool
ish to try to descend. 1t soon became evil
dent to me that landing In Canada was out
of the question, and that all arrangements
must be made to be driven across the lakes.
The first thing that struck me was to drop
the grapnel to the full extent, 120 feet.
This acted as guide to the distance the
balloon might be kept above the surface of
the water, it being now dark, and BY
pacing one hand on the rope the effect of
Lne grapnel striking the water was distinct
ly felt. With an.open bag of ballast on my
knee, every time the grapnel struck the
water a couple. of, handfuls of sand were
thrown eut--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 on one of the most
drenching and merciless rains I have ever
felt. Icould not see fifteen feet before me,
and the noise of the rain on the balloon
and the water as-such, as to entirely un-
nerve me. Ny 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 we're gone.
The rain was making the balloon heavier
every moment, and the ballast was thrown
out more freely till about ten o'clock,
when the fatigue overcame me. Ifeil into
q stupor for few moments. By this time
the balloon had descended to within six
feet sof 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, entirely through
the rain-clouds, and then the moon shone
brilliantly, and in this position it remained
about a 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 ball
loon race. Every thing 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 evident
a change had come over the scene. The
rain had ceased, and the appearance of
every thing was of the darkest hue !;
whether it was an under stratum of dark
clouds could not be known. Suddenly
glimmer of light was seen for moment;
then, with anxious eyes cast down to per-
ceiye 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 ofsmusical instruments. j then
called out to know where 1 was, but the
reply was unintelligible. They, however,
saw it was q balloon.
About two miles further on, the grapnel
caught in alarge oak tree, and held fast.
This afterward nforfiIto be little village
near Cleveland [594 called out lnstily !;
the sounds Of u@zz51| ilRing and playing
music were Ie1z|l |Itse proved to be four
Young men who had BEEN to q ball. They
vanced nearer my voice was heard. They at
once set to work to pull the balloon ont OF
the woods. and convey it to field where
it could be folded up. 1t was then three
O'Clock in the morning.
THE German Political Economists are
holding their ninth annual meeting at Ham
burg. The question of the proper provis-
ion of dwellings for the poor in large cities
was the subject of animated discussion, and
elected curious statistics. In Hamburg
houses at low rent were very scarce,
existed, the working classes being amply
provided for. Hamburg furnished plen-
tiful supply of dwellings for the middle
and upper classes, while Berlin could not
accommodate the-crewds of persons of lei
sure attracted thither by the Court. Some
of the members insisted that it was the du-
ty of the Government TO build airy aud
comfortable houses for the workmen. but
the Congress passed resolution that small
tenements should be erected by private
spectators under regulations prescribed
by the State, as regards the strength of the
work and the sanitary conditions to be OBJ
served.
THE marine losses of American vessels
during September, by fire, wreck. collision
and similar disasters were %, of which :
moro shins 4 harkS. brigs and II schoOn-