The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1869-11-09
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The Saginaw, Michigan Enterprise
Of Oct I4th has thrilling account Of
an aeronant, prof LaMouutain) in a
recent ascension from Bay City in that
State
II appears that a companion, who
was to have accompanied him, was com
pellod to get out, as the balloon leaked
badly and would not cIry two persons
He had the eatables, instruments of OBJ
servation aud tissue paper used to as
certain the ascending aud decending
force Of the balloon, 50 IN stepping out
Of the car, .Ur basket, aud before he
could transfer the articles named, those
WHO had bold Of the car let 10, and the
bayoon shot up with a rapidlty that
carried it to an altitude Of two miles
within few minutes A perfect gale
Of wind was blowing at the time, and a
moment after RAIN aud sleet commenced
falling. The balloon was still ascend
ing when lost to sight in cloud. Pra.
fes ior LaMounta;n, IN relating his c.
perience, says it became all ut once in-
ensly cold. The cloud be entered was
0 10 swimming mass Of snow flakes, IN
terspersed with ram, which formed n
OFT work II the car and netting Of
the balloon. The cloud with the snow
a .kes forming and flying hither and
thither h ad, as be expressed it, the APP
poarance Of cloud OF steam, through
which the sight could not penetrate
TIE earth was lost to view. BY tear
ing up his handkerchief and throw
iug out shreds he became conscious that
b. was passing upward with wonderful
rapidi,y; and along with the current Of
the air eastward towards the lake
Nothing was disernable but the thicken-
ing mist, and over head his balloon,
W aich, as the air become lighter, bad
exoanded the thin cloth covering to its
utmost strength. Fearful that he
might be carried into the lake, and
without pound OF ballast to regulate
his decent he seized tie valve rope with
the intention Of lowering himself grad,
ually. To his surprise, the valve would
not open. The rain and sleet accumu-
lating on the top Of the balloon, had
frozen the valve SO tight as to resist the
pressure from below. Putting his
whole strength to the task, he gave a
strong pull on the rope to the valve,
the rope falling down into the car
The balloon was mounting up faster
than ever 1t had passed the storm
cloud, which WAS mile below, and the
heavens above we're as clear, and the
sun shining as brightly as a mid
day in jane. Bat the air was
extremely cold, aud La Mountain
was beuumbed. But little time was
lost in speculation. lie had attained a
height Of over three miles. The balloon
con.d not burst, for when the expan-
sion became too great, the gas woald
escape irom the hue or valve below,
which was open; bat he WAS fearful Of
beng carried into or over the lake with
out having made preparations Tor such
an event Mounting the hoop over
head be reached for his knife, only ~
fnd that he had left it on the ground
Clinging to the ropes with one hand,
with the other and his teeth, after soDo
e1ertion, he succeeded IN tearing rent
Ia tie balloon len or fifteen feet up
wards Then serving the opposite side
lhe same way, he descended u the car
to watch the progress Daring tAAs q
eration the ends Of Lbs fngsrs Of bota
hands had become frozen. For few
moments the balloon kept ascending.
then. a. the gas escaped i. il reached
"a equip0ise. and moment alter ctim-
menced 70 gradually descend to The
earth. Every moment increased Z
downsard speed. Tie professor said
than De heard the cloth tearing, the
renls eBlAEging. until, with crash that
soandsd axe dsAth knen, tbs cloth
gave way 70 the pressure, opening 3
seam from TIE bottom 70 TIE top. TIE
gas escaped instantly leaving thous
and cube e 1. wnlls The SIR rushed n,
filing ap the yaeaam, tbs BALBOA act
ing As a parachute. TIE professor gives
i - las Opani0n thai a thS haght Of