Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-07-20
A PerflOus Balloon Ascension and
Narrow Escape of the Aeronaut.

Within few weeks there have been
reported accounts of at least four bal.
loon ascensions, and all have given their
version of the delights experienced in the
air, as well as the safety in making the
landings. For a new sensation we print
as nearly as possible the version of the
younger Aliens trip from Troy, n. Y,
July 4th. The balloon Empyrean holds
about $4,000 cubic feet of gas, and when
inflated is as pretty as a picture, The
little car attached, which took Mr.. James
K. Allen, son of Prof. Allen, the veteran
aeronant of Providence, R. L, was gaily
trimmed with bunting and natural flowers
reports stating that it was done by fairer
and softer hands than are usually bestow-
ed upon the daring navigators of the
regions above.
Young Allen is no chicken; he had
before made several ascensions with bis
father and is thoroughly conversant with
the business. His little air-ship was in
fated in thirty minutes, and in the pres
ence of thousands of spectators he bade
adieu to the good city of Troy just before
twelve o'clock noon. The wind was the
same as the "Jupiter Olympus" had given
her three hours later, but blowing with
greater velocity. He sped on his course
over Lansinb burg, Cohoes, Saratoga, Edin-
burg, Sandy Hill, Whitehall, Benson
and other places, drinking in with all the
enthusiasm of youth the beauty and
splendor of the voyage; ascending at one
time to an altitude of 12,500 feet; de-
oendiug again so close to mother earth
that he would converse with the inhabit-
ants below; up and down, playing and
toying with his ship as though it was
mere bubble, so easily, thus far, had be
been able to handle, and, as he said, "to
make her go where he wanted her to-"
that he had no fears for the future; but
as his ballast was nearly exhausted be
understood that he must speedily make q
landing, as lie was rapidly descending.
Not relishing the idea of a cold bath
in pond or lake that was in his front,
ballast was expended to send him again
upward, and away he sped over the tops
of trees, which he soon discovered was 30
little "pic mic grove" but dense forest.
AS far as the eve could reach in the di-
rectiOn he was travelling, there was dis
PLAYED but one and the same thing--im-
penetrable woods. Ballast was all gone
provisions, extra clothing, lemonade, and
even u bOLll6 Vi w hCClCl IOhAC DIJ'biS :,
were all thrown overheard to tighten ship.
but all of no avail She was settling
close upon the tree tops. Let 60 the Crap
pie and take the chances, he determined
on. The grapple holds, but sudden gust
of wind sends his balloon heavenward
again, tearing his safety guard-the grap-
ple-from its strong hold, and for the
next half mile making fearful havoc with
the property that somebody owns in that
vicinity, by taking off all the tree tops.
Once more the grapple holds, and this
time the valve cords are used. Away
goes the gas the beautiful Empyrean
loses her graceful proportions and settles
down, swaying, reeling like ship found
ering at sea, but in what position. Upon
the top of one of the highest trees in that
section of the country. No help here
Mr.. Allen makes his balloon as secure as
possible to his new friend, and commences
The descent to terra frms, which it is i'm
possible to see, through the thick leaves
and branches. An unfortunate step upon
a deoayed limb, which gives way, sends
him to mother earth as rapidly as he left
it. Fortunately this fall of 20 feet upon
the leaves broke no limbs, but with lame
back, bruised arm, a fearfully strained
ankle and cut face, Mr. Allen sat down to
"take an account of stock" He had an
idea of the course, but no con- pass, so with
the best possible face he started for civil
izstion.
Up immense rocks and down again,
through bushes, thistles and thiokets,
over fallen stumps, trees and every con-
ceiVable impediment that one finds in
forest, he at last struck a road and then
farm house, where he ascertained that be
had landed in Pntnam, Washington Couu.
ty, n. Y, near Lake George, one hundred
miles from Troy; and that he had made
the distance in the almost incredible time
of one hour and three quarters. For
small balloon this is one of the most re-
markable passages on record.
Quite remarkable instance Of family
of aeronauts: Five in the air upon one
day; three in the "Jupiter Olympus
one in the Empyrean," and one in the
"Monarch of the Air" from Boston. All
the family are at home in Providence, and
ready when the call comes to furnish
aerial ship ps.