New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-10-23
HORRIFYING.
A Kite.Flying Urchin Drawn up by HIS
Toy.
TFrom the Chicago Times.l

TFrom the Chicago Times.l
A very singular occurrence TOOK piace oli
Friday last near Bridgeport, which puts d
dangerous aspect on a boyish sport that mas
hitherto been considered quite q pas'iliie'
A lad named Willie Goodman, aged zen
wears, residing on Columbia street, IKE
every other boy in the kite-flying perlod OF
his existence. became ambitious to make
monster kite that should fly higher tlan any
other that ever was made. Accordingly he
made one with wings, such as may ne seen
in any toy-shop windows. 1t was punt 1 tiit
the style of Il Japanese kite, ana was iuiiy
six feet in length. The stont frame WORK
was covered with paper III a very aElISlc
manner, and strong hempen cord Was AT
tachcd to the cross beams.
All things prepared, TWO con l'''iiions
.sboostcd" the artificial bird to the proper
angle. and it flew into the air like 4 thing OF
life. 1t arose moderately at first, the WIND
taking it to the westward, but having AT
tanned about two hundred feet, it came into
an opnosino current which drove it 10 the
south with great velocity. The mammoth
toy rose still higher and higher. the ittIe
.ieronaut letting out the string when was
nearly Jerking him off his feet. As this kite
went upward the boys spirits went with 1t,
and he continued paying OUT the llne untl'
at length. an end was reached, bur stun the
ravenous kite demanded more. Being ar,
rested in its flight, it began to jerk ana pun
SO savagey that the lad was compelled 10
tie the cord about his waist TO prevent its
slipping from his hands.
The ambitious hoy had reached the
height, OF success III acrUnautlcS, anG he
gazed in rapture on-tne KITE that looked Il
mere specb on the sky, fully a quarter OF {;
mile away. For some moments 1t Descended
scmicucles in the air. occasionally Jerking
so hard as to nearly lift the boy. Soon II
made a furious plunge- and rose again SO
rapdlv US to lift the aerial navigator clear
from the ground. Nor did he come down
again Immediately, but kept rising higher
and higher. at the same time drifting III 4
southerly direction, until an altitude ct s"v-
enty-tive feet, or more. was reached. by
clinging to the cord the lad WAS enabled to
maintain an upright position. but lie was
unable to unite it. nor was such 4 cotliN" de
sirable, for while the chord WAS leading him
to apparent destruction. ii was tie uiilN m
mediate means of safety.
The scene was indescripably horritying
to the few who witnessed it. Perhaps five
minutes elapsed III which the little fellow
was dangling between heaven ana earth,
powerless to save himself. and beyond The
reach of assistance from others. Those ue-
low set up a cry Of anguish, expecting every
moment to see him dashed 10 fragments be
fore their eyes. Finally, when the upper
current seemed to have spent its strength.
the kite began TO descend. Fortunately the
cord was strong and the boy Was light.
During both the ascent and descent the
kite kept drifting, and as it came down.
Willie was brought in proximity TO the rooi
OF small two-storv house. He seized mold
OF the chimney, which happened 20 be
within his reach, and il d moment was
safely anchored
There was shout OF Joy from tie crowd
below, and some OF the numher quickly
procured a ladder and reached the sale u
the little aeronaut The cord that bound
him was cut and the kite. deprived OF is
ballast, carerneti AGAIN and again, until il
finally reached the ground fully !. mile
away.
TIC boy uttered not q word, but stu
chung to the chimney, and could not be per
shaded that he was on OF danger. II" WAS
forcibly torn from the bricks and restored
10 his home. Tie result can not be called u
happy one as yet, for the little .esIow Is
living dangerously i'll Of brain fever, per
induced by fear.