The weekly Panola star. [volume] (Panola, Miss.) 1857-1881, 1871-09-30
The Fly TrgpcZc In the Air.

From then. y wmij, s-p.sl
We have 40 account Of one Of the
most extraordinary and almost in.
credible exhibitions OF human In
trcpidijy and daring on last Mon
day, the 9Th inst, witnessed by the
citizens Of this place. II seemed to
me 70 equal, # not to surpass, in
thrilling and painful interest any.
thing ever attempted by Sam Patch
or I}londin in their widest efforts.
An individual named Donaldson
"a tight-rope walker and "magi-
cian,' rs he styles hlm,olf--who
had on the previous Wednesday
made a balloon ascension in the or.
diuary way, (the first balloon ascent
Of any kind he had ever made in
his lie, ,)rcpeated his performance on
Monday last, but this time with no
basket attached to his balloon
nothing whatever, in fact, but a
common trapeze. Upon this he
seated himself with the creates cool
ness and composure, and went float
ing away into space, to the aston
ishmeut of a large crowd which had
gathered to eco him; but few
cheers greeted him, as the spectators
seemed spoll-bonnd with fear and
apprehension. After ascending a
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 the most novel
and pleasing effect. But this was
nothing to what followed, At the
height Of some threc hundred feet
ho commenced balancing himself on
his back, on the bar Of the trapeze,
and going through other fearful ev-
olutions. lie then deliberately slid
from the bar, head downward, and
catching himself by the feet, re-
NAMED suspended for several secs
onds in that awful position The
appalling sight was one never to be
forgotten by those who witnessed it.
A thrill and a low murmur Of hor-
ror passed through the immense
multitude, who were looking on with
the intensest interest and many hur-
ried away from the sight gidy and
faint. The daring eronaut, howev-
er, went through his evolutions sue
ccssfully, and, regaining his scat,
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
distance, could only be clearly yisl-
bic by the aid Of glasses. What
made this ascent oil the more haz-
ardous is that the balloon is a very
small! one, carrying but little bal
last, and nothing but light anchor
attached to the hoop.
| am glad to say that the aronaut
completed bis voyage safely, although |
he once or twice seemed to be in |
considerable danger. The trapeze
struck the. roof of Henry Conrad's
residence, on Fifth street, when Mr..
Donaldson made q skillful leap from
the trapeze and prevented a collis- |
ion. The balloon then ascended and /
came down again on the other side Of
the road in field, and was about
striking the top of a tree, when Mr..
Donaldson turned somersault on
the trapeze and prevented the-bar
from catching in the tree. There Is
some talk Of our having repetition
Of the painful exhibition during our
fair next week, If the authorities do
not interfere to prevent 1t. It real
" scenes to me that they should,
md that II Is also the duty Of the