Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1871-09-20
Ra,,oon Ascension at Barton, Vt.

Mr.. Samuel A. King recently made his
Ibqth ascension at Barton, in connection
with fair held at that place. Some i've
thousand persons were present attracted IN
the main by the balloon ascension, and the
spectacle was an uncOmmonly interesting
one inasmuch as the balloon renamed IN
sight long time. Mr.. King manufactured
the gas used on the ground, and was accom-
panied on his voyage by Alr. VIM. JOslvn OF
Barton. The ascension was made at halt
past four O'Clock, p. N, and the balloon as
cended nearly in a straight line to an altl-
tude of about two miles, as shown by the
barometer At this height there was
slight breeze which carried them almost IN
southeastern direction. The balloon con-
tinued at this altitude, with only slight va
ration, for some twenty miles, when Mr..
King once more descended to a lower region
and effected a landing upon the Knox Farm,
in Kirby, about seven miles cast OF Lyndon
vile.
The balloon descended ut six o clock, hav-
ing been an hour and half on its journey
from Barton In coming down near the
earth counter currents were encountered,
and for a little distance the balloon was car
ried on a back track, but soon struck another
current which took it back again in its on
ward course. The landing was effected IN a
very convenient place, without accident.
The voyager5 describe their journey as one
of great interest and enjoyment. The at
mosphere was very clear and the view was
very extended. The mountains OF Vermont
and New Hampshire were almost beneath
their feet, and Mr.. King states that IN place
of the flat appearances presented by coun-
try beneath balloon, the elevations were
plainly dlstinguishable, a phenomenon that
arose from the magnitude vi the details IN
-. Al.tfnFa "a =
the " hite Mountains, the AdirOndacks, and
even more distant peaks were TO be seen, be-
sides the northern portion Qi New England,
a large part of Canada was visible. The
plains in Canada made the horizon present
straight line but in every other direction It
was notched by mountain peaks. lnnumer-
able were the lakes aud rivers TO be seen.
One of the first objects which attracted the
attention of Mr. King and mis- companions
was Lake Memphremagog. which stretched
away at the north, and soon nearly the whole
Of Lake Champlain was visible, Mount Mans
field obscuring a small portion along the
eastern shore.
The aerial tourists looked directly over
Mount Mansfield on 10 q great portion OF the
lake, and into PlattsburgE, \ j., where a
tin-roofed church became " shining light.
The setting sun made a golden pathway
across the lake. and its waters Dy some
strange effect seemed lifted through the
sheen to the level OF the balloon. The " hite
Mountains seemed 10 form "a high wall, be
yond which nothing could be seen. The
shadows of the mountains IN Vermont could
be distinctly seen. AMI doubtless aided the
eve in detecting the cmiuenees- At one
point "a train of cars WAS seen ON the Con
necticut and Passump9ic Rivers Road, APP
pearing like some liJtle creeping thing.
Both tie rumb.ng II the cars and the loco
motive whistle was heard at the height OF
two miles, but human voices were not L. be
heard above the altitude Jf about a mile.
Contrary 10 common experience. the temper
azure ut the hight 81 tso miles wtz found
much warmer Than III A4li t-aJ elevation.
While tie balloon was ascending the tAer
momc,er marked IS degrees. when the bar
ometer Indicated tae hight =. mile, ana at
the altitude OF TWO miles it had a-centel tl
~ degree both conditions beng shown in
the shade