Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-10-23
From the Cleveland Plaindcalcr
PerIIOus Night Ride In a Balloon.

An exchange informs us that an Rronaut
named Thompson who assembled recently
from Toronto, decended safely near this
city, the balloon having been taken by a
strong upper current across the lake Much
anxiety was felt in Toronto as to ThOmp-
sons fate before the telegram arrived an
nouncing his safe landing Mr.. Thompson
gives the following account of his adven-
ture: The balloon assembled at $40. and
from the velocity the balloon was travelling
at / soon perceived that it was foolish to try
30 descend. 1t soon became evident to me
that landing in Canada was out of the ques
ton, and 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 a
guide TO the distance the balloon might be
kept above the surface Of the water. II be-
ing now dark, and by placing one hand on
the rope the effect Of the grapel striking the
water was distinctly felt. With an open
bag OF ballast on my knee, every time the
grape struck the water a couple of hand
falls 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,
aud then came one Of the most drenching.
and merciless rains have ever felt. | could
not see fifteen feet before me. and the noise
Of the rain on the balloon was such as TO
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 mOveables were gone The rain
was making the ballon heavier every mo-
ment, and the ballast was thrown out more
freely till about ten O'Clock, when the IA
tigue overcame me- | fell into a stupor for
few moments. BY this time the balloon
had decended to within six feet of the water
and instantly out went twenty eight POUNDS
of ballast Tho effect of this was that the
balloon rose TO the altitude of a mile en-
tirely through the rain clouds, and then the
moon shone brilliantly, and in this position
II 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
a balloon race Everything now became
calm. No longer the hum of the lake or
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 eve
rything was of the darkest hue whether
It was an under-sream Of dark clouds could
not be known. Suddenly "a glimmer of
light was seen for moment; then, with
anxious eyes cast down to perceive any OBJ
(ect at last small squares with dark mar
klns were clearly visible. These proved to
be fields and hedges, and they appeared to
vanish as quick as objects passed when in
an express train. A town was ut last seen.
anu l heard the sound of musical instru-
~ on'5' then called out to know where |
ho,,-,, ou1 The reply was unintelligble. They
"0%SNeg' saw it was a balloon.
.,.-,,' Jo'. TWO miles further on. the rrapel
TS;ss 80 ~ large oak tree, and held fast. |
1oa,. 60. ward proved to be little vilare
az -, so ~ i"ea. then called out Justly
49, ,.S,.. VI Persons singing and plaving
four young men who lad b6 pIo' 81 70 IN 1e
1hey were natives Of CIevelsod on ~ q 3'lL,
advanced nearer my voice al ana as y, Ihey
at once set to work 70 pull tbe NI LaISo Iney
OF the woods, and convey it 10 S saiS out
1t could be folded up. It was 1 .Ie- Where
o'clock in the morning. ''on Vhree