The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1871-09-23
AMoNDERFuL FEAT.
The frying Trapeze in the air.
From the New York World.

From the New York World.
READING, Pa, Sept. 7.-One of the
most extraordinary and almost Incredible
exhibitions of human intrepidity and
daring was last Monday, the 4th inst,
witnessed by the citizens of this place.
1t seemed to me to equal, if not surpass
In thrilling and painful interest, any
thing attempted by VIM. Patch or Blon-
din in their widest efforts. An indi-
vidual named Donaldson-a tightrope
walker and magician, as he styles
himself-who had on the previous We'd
nesday made balloon ascension in the
ordinary way (the first balloon ascent of
any kind he had ever made in his life),
repeated his performance on Monday
last, but this time with no basket at
tached to his balloon-nothing what
ever, in fact, but common trapeze.
Upon this he seated himself with the
greatest caolness and composure, aud
went floating away into space, to the as
constituent of the large crowd which had
gathered u see him; but few cheers
greeted him, as the spectators seemed
spell bound with fear and apprehension.
After ascending considerable distance
he commenced throwing out number OF
circulars which he had attached to a
little hoop below the balloon, and which,
In the clear atmosphere, appeared like
twinkling stars surrounding the balloon,
producing a most novel aud pleasing ef-
feet Bnt this was nothing to what fol-
lowed. At the height of some three
hundred feet he commenced balancing
himself on his back, on the bar of the
trapeze, and going through other fearful
evolutions. He then deliberately slid
from the bar head downward, and, catch
ing himself by the feet, remained sus-
pended for several seconds in that awful
positio6l The appalling sight was one
never to be forgotten by those who wit
messed it. A thrill and low murmur
of horror passed through the immense
multitude, rho were looking on with
the intensest interest, and many hurried
away from the sight giddy and faint.
The daring aeronaut, however, went
through his eYolutions successfully, and,
regaining his seat, went soaring rapidly
and steadily upward. When at the
height of three quarters of mile, he
had the astounding nerve TO repeat his
performance, which, at so great a dis
lance, could only be clearly visible by
the aid OF glasses. What made this as
cent all the more hazardous is that the
balloon is a very small one, carrying but
little ballast, and nothing but light
anchor attached 70 the hoop.
am glad to say that the aeronaut
completed his voyage safely, although he
once or twice seemed to be in consider
able danger. The trapeze struck the
roof of Henry Conrad's residence, on
Fifth street, when Mr. Donaldson made
skillful leap from his trapeze and pre-
vented collision The balloon then
assembled and came down again on the
other side Of the road in field, and was
about striking the top of a tree, wher
Mr.. Donaldson turned a somersault on
the trapeze rope and prevented the bal
from catching in the tree. There i
some talk of our having a repetition o.
the painful exhibition during our fail
next week, if the authorities do not in
terfere to prevent it. 1t really seems tt
me that they should, and that it is also
the duty of the leading press of the
country to denounce such reckless and
unnecessary risk of human life for the
mere qualification of morbid excitement