Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1870-10-27
Thrilling Adventure of Boy with
Mammoth Kite

y very singular occurrence took
place on Friday last near Bridgeport,
which puts u dangerous aspect on &
hoyish sport that has hitherto been
considered quite pastime. A lad
named Willie Goodman, aged ten
Years, residing on Columbia street,
like every other boy in the kite-hying
period Of his existence, became ambi-
tlous to make monster kite that
would fly higher than any other that
ever was made. Accordingly, he made
one with wings. such as may be seen
in any toy shop window. 1t was built
after the style of japanese kite"
and was fully six feet in length. The
stout frame work was covered with
paper ia 4 very artistic manner, and
7llEopgnfgs gfs,,. nemgRss;H g!s;, cord was attached :"
All things prepared, two compan-
ions boosted the artificial bird to
the proper angle, and it flew into the
mir like i thing of life. 1t arose
moderately at first, the wind taking it
tp the westward, but having attained
about POO feet it came into an opposite
current. which drove it to the south
with great velocity. The mammoth
toy rose still higher and higher, the
little aeronaut letting out the string
which was nearly jerking him of his
feet. As his kite went upward the
boys spirits went with it, and he con
tlnued paying out the line until at
length an end was reached; but still
the ravcnouS kite demand more. Be
ing arrested in its flight it began to
jerk and pull 50 savagelv that the lad
was compelled to tie the cord about
his waist TO prevent its slipping from
his hands.
The ambitious boy had reached the
height of success in ;pronautics. and he
gazci in rapture on the kite that look-
ed like Il mere speck on the sky, fully
q quarter Of mile away. For some
moments it described semi-circles in
the air, occasionally jerking so hard as
to nearly lift the boy. Soon it made
furiou- plunge and rose again so rapidly
AZ to lift the Hr al navigator clear from
the ground. Nor did he come down i'm
mr,liately. bat kept rising higher and
higher, ut the same time drifting in
Suutherly direction, until an altitude
Of seventy-tive feet, or more, was
reached. Bnt clinging to the cord the
lal was unable to unite it, nor was
such a course desirable, for while the
cord was leading HIM to apparent de-
Struction, it was the only immediate
means of safety.
The scene indescribably horrifving
to the few who witnessed it, Perhaps
five minutes elapsed in which the little
fellow was dangling betweeG heaven
and earth, powcrless to save himself
and beyond the reach Of assistance
from others. Those below set up
cry of anguish, expecting every mo-
mcnt 10 see him dash to fragments be-
fore their eyes Finally, when the up
per currant seemed to have spent us
strength, the kite began 10 descend.
Fortunately the cord was strong and
the boy was light During both the
ascent and descent, the kite kept drift
ing, and as it came down, Willie was
hfouSht IN proximity 10 Tue rooi Vi =
small two-story house. He slezed hold
of the chimney, which happened to be
in reach, ard in a few moments was
safely anchored.
There was shout Of joy from the
crowd below, and some Of the number
quickly procured ladder and reached
the side of the little aeronaut The
cord that bound him was cut and the
kite, deprived of its ballast careened
again until it finally reached the ground
fully a mile away.
The boy uttered not a word, but still
ching to the chimney, and could not
be persuaded that ne was out of dan
ger He was forcibly torn from the
bricks, and restored to his hsme. Tns
result cannot be called a happy ono :
vet, for the little fellow is lying d,n-
gerously ill of brain fever, superinduc-
ed by fear.
The pOliticaI cOntast in n iarvlAnd d