Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-09-22
The Flying Trapeze in the AIr-rh
CT T1Ght-ROpe Performer nm. ats
clan mt Height of Three Hunar.s st
I'm the AIR. Feet

AE"Peze In tine Afr-Tbs r.
CT " Tight-Rope Performer and a
clan at Height of Three Hunar.st
I'm the AIR. Feet
Cor. of tho N Y. World.
READING, BERKs Co., Pa, Sent
Ote Ct tie most extraordinary ana
most incredible exhibition, of bnr aua a.
trepidity and daring was last Monde 10
4th inst, witnessed by the citlzens ~. tne
place. 1t seemed to mo to to1aI ~ ms
6urpass in thrilling aud pain nj iat not
anything ever attempted by Sam Patotest
Blondln IN their wIIttst effort. An ;u OG'
vldual named ID maid on-a tIoht' i'
walker and magician, as he sfyIes h,p pe
self-who had on the previous Wednead
made balloon nsion In the ordins.s
way tine first balloon ascent IF any k;nd
ne mad ever made In his hfe), repeatsJ
MS performance on Monday last, but tb;.
Tune with no basket attached to hi. hi
loon-nothipg WHAT YER, in fact. bu,
common traptzs. Upon this he S, at a
himself with the greatest {. q nes. -.
composure, and went floating ava, in,o
space, to the astonishm+Lt of an, 100
crowd which had gathered to See him ho.
few cheers greelipg HIM, as rte
specta ors eeemod spell bound with f.aO
and apprehension. After ascan1.
ing to considerable distance be q =,
In. need throwing out a number of crc :.
lars which he had attached to a little noo,
below the balloon, and which IN be- cear
atmosphere appeared like twinklips star
surrounding the balloon, producing . MIST
novel and pleasing effect. But THU wac
nothing to what foIIo@td. At the height
of some three hundred feet he commenced
b ilanclD himself on his back on the bar
Of the trapez4, and G ing through other
FEARFUL evolutions. he then deliberateIv
slid from the bar head downwards and,
catching HIM, elf by the feet, remained
suspended for several seconds il that aw-
full position rhe appalling sight Was
one never to be forgotten by those who
witnessed it. A thrill and a low murmur
OF horror passed through the immense
multitude, who were loo king on with in.
tensest interest, and many hurried away
from the sight giddy aud faint. The dsr-
ing seronau', however, went through his
evolutions successfully, and, reeaining his
seat, went soaring rapidly and steadily
upwards. When at the height of three
quarters Of mile he had the astounding
nerve to repeat bis performance, which. At
SO great distance, could only be- clearly
visible by the aid of glasses. What made
this ascent oil the more hazardous is that
the balloon Is very small one, carrying
bat little ballast, and with nothing bnt
light anchor attached 10 the hoop.
am glal to say that the aronAut com
pleted his voya safely, although he once
or twice seemed to be in considerable
danger. The trapeze struck the roof of
Henry Commands residence, on 5th street
when Mr.. Doh4ldson made skIllful lean
from the trapezs, and prevented d collision.
The balloon then assembled and came
down again on the other side Of the road
in d fe d, and was about striking the ton
of tree, when Mr.. Donaldson turned q
somersault on The trapeze rope and pre-
vented the bar from catching in tie tree,
There Is some talk of our having u repeti-
ton of this painful exhibition during our
fair next week, if the authorities do net
to prevent il. 1t really seems to
me that they should, and that it is also the
duty of the leading press of the country
to denounce such reckless and unneces-
sary risk of human life for the mere graft
6cation of morbid excitement.