The union Democrat. [volume] (Sonora, Calif.) 1854-1946, 1871-04-01
GhF ''Nnion gemotrat.


k-0T.
1900 m I'm I'm N BallOou.
IL dfplete.' 3 Journal, G. F. wineats. des
cfibesa balloon journey frum Paris. under
tsken 81 two New Workers (Mr. w. w. Res
noldk and Mr. @. w. Mayl who carried with
them n French army officer and an engineer
At the same time, NJ. Gambetsa made his 6
cape from Paris in ahnther balloon Each
vsasfy Una seated In q wicker basket, attached
by eight cords to the body of its balloon. The
NMtboore started together, and the passengers
cSrtitd Annfy asiew extra sclathes. some Eed.
and other accessories, together with a coop OF
carrier pigenns, AMI comics Of txo addresses,
ouein German from Victor Hugo, and anoth-
Fin French. from Jules Favre, for distriou-
ton sthrapgh the country.
At eight minutes past II in the morning
the start was made. The day was clear, ana
tina bstloona rose rapidly 10 height o. guy
yards. and was carried By the WIND. whicn
was northeast, directly toward The prnss'an
lines. Paris Law beneath, spread ontlik
panorama. so that public buildings and
stseess could easily be, distinguished. Inc
Prussians as soon IA the balloons approach
cd them. epenei FIRE from several points with
cannen, musketry, and rockets. and Tor some
minutes their miss,les whistled through the cir
in dangerous proximity. The mounted nh
lans Alsas tracked the balloons for some sdis-
lance along the roads, in expectation that
thew would have to descend. hut they we're
dootned 10 disappointment. Gamhetta. how
ever, snarrowly e@ca3 ed falling into their
humble hands. and also OF Destroying bis
companions. From some cause the engineer
lostsrpntrnl sof his balloon. and it dropped
aowf, ,,ryil ID was elnse 10 the grounds 1 1t
then scared nrat rapid pace, hut TO the
horrors of Mr.. Reynolds party 1T rose direct
ly under their balloon, and for a few min
utes it seemed as if there must be fatal col
lision. The party awaited the result in fear
and trembling, hut the wind fortunately put
an ,end to theirdanger nv waiting the lower
balloon to one side. and the two then passed
on in safety tagether, rising to the height of
more than mile.
At this distance the landscape seemed to
blend in confused mass of objects. The
roads appeared like white lines. villages
seemed 10 he mere hamets, while the woods,
which had Just taken on their Autumnal
tints, looked like raised, violet carpet.
Even with strong glasses. they could scarcely
tell whether the people they saw were peas
anti arssoldiers, and it. took several minutes
Tor The rhlled-up papers and circulars which
they. threw out TO reach the ground. The
speea 10 fhesbaloonsa could not be estimated
while they were high in air !; bat when they
descended near to the ground, it was seen
they we're going as fast az q railroad train.
Though the engineers had not much expert
cnce, they succeeded very we'll in managing
the machines. Every ltte while. they would
Siescera near econ Oh to4drep written Aques-
tions 10 the peasants. asking where they were.
and the latter would shout up the name Of
the place. $50 -....-ts,so t,n
At two o'clock they al iined. Soon after
the balloons parted companv. The one
kshioh bore Gamhet To sried 20 land at Sriel,
but found, when close to the ground, that it
was over n Prussan camp, AMI the occu-
pants only escaped capture by throwing over
their baggage, carrier pigeons and some Of
their clottHP; and even then did not escape
until aftefM. Gambetta had heen wounded
in the hand. His party afterward succeeded
landing in q tree near Amiens, whence they
were rescued by rassers-by but their bal
loon was torn to pieces.
e Tile other party Jared better. and at four
o'clock safely larded by means Of n Crap
ping rope, after being up just FIVE hours
Tile place was the Vile Roye, in the Depart-
merit of the Somme, n.nety-hve miles from
Paris. nh people of the neighhorhboi hoist
: Cd the French colors, 10 show that they were
friends. and were overioyed to see the party,
who broughttwelve day. later news from the
beseged capital. Their pleasure was in
creased en- learning that two Of the party
were Americans. They were escorted to the
Maynr'sotice. and every one seemed eager to
have the honor of entertaining them. Al pub
lice reception was given in their honor that
evening at The p,s lecture, and the next day
they were forwarded. free Of charge, by rail
to Amisoe. where stkev found Gambetta, and
accompanied him to Tours.