The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1871-09-30
THE FLYING TRAPEZE IN THE AIR.
The Fcats of "a TiSht-Rope Performer
and Ma icIan at - Height of $50 Feet
iE thc Ajr-BaIancInS on the Bar nd
Sliding off.
C0fresponde1ce OF the World.
rA,,,,4.-

Sliding Oft.
Correspondence of the World
READING, Berks County, Pa, Sept.7.
One of the most extraordinary and
almost incredible exhibitions of human
intrapidity and daring was last Mon
day, the 4th instant, witnessed by the
citizens OF this place. 1t seemed to be
equal to, if 1t did not surpass in thrill
ling and painful interest anything ever
attempted by Sam Patch or Blondin in
their widest efforts. An individual
named Donaldson-a tight-rope walker
and " magician" as he styles himself
who had on the previous Wednesday
made balloon ascension III the ordi-
nary 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 GOODNESS and composure and
went floating away into space, to the
establishment of the large crowd which
had gathered to see him, but few
cheers greeting him, as the spectators
seemed spell-bound with fear and APP
prehension. After ascending to a con-
siderable distance he commenced throw
ing out a number of circulars which he
had attached to little hoop below the
balloon, and which in the clear atmos
phere appeared like twinkling stars
surrounding the balloon, producing a
novel and pleasing effect But this
was nothing to what followed. At the
heighth 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 ban
head downwards, and, catching him
self by the feet, remained suspended
| Tor several seconds i'll that awful posi-
ton! The appalling sight was one
never to be forgotten by those who
witnessed it. A thrill and a low muir.
mur of horror passed through the i'm,
mense multitude, who We're looking OF
with intense interest, AMI many hur
ried away from the sight giddy and
faint. The dering aeronaut, however
went through his eyolutions success
fully, and, regaining his seat, went
soaring rapidly and steadily upwards
! When at the height of three-quarters
of mile, he had the astounding nerve
to repeat his performance, which, at Sc
great distance, 5follld only be clearly
visible by the aid of glasses. Wha
made the ascent more hazardous, il
that the balloon is very small one
carrying but little ballast, and witt
nothing but light anchor attached t.
the hoop.
l am glad to say that the aeronau
completed his voyage safely, although
he once or twice seemed to be in con
siderable danger. The trapeze strucl
struck the roof of Henry Connard's res
idence on Fifth street, when Donaldson
made a sillful leap from thu
trapeze and prevented a collision. Th
balloon then assembled, and came dow
again on the other side of the road in
field, and was about striking the ton
of tree, when Mr. Donaldson per
formed a somersault on the trapez
rope, and prevented the bar from catch
ing in the tree.