The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-07-25
An Aerial Tnp Over Lake MlchIgan.

An Aerial Tnp Over Lake Michigan.
Professor Steiner, who made balloon
ascension in Milwaukee on the 4th, and
passed over Lake Michigan, gives an &C.
count his trip, which is published in
the Milwaukee NelSS in the following
shape:-
At6t the ascent was made, the balloon
going north of the Cathedral, clearing the
stGeple by about fifty feet In fifteen
minutes an elevation Of 5000 feet was
gained, when the ascent become more
gradual. At this time the balloon was
some two miles out over tho lake. Here
most magnificent view was spread out
beneath the delighted eye Of the intrepid
voyager. The coast was visible tor fifty
miles in either direction all the villages
and lakes in the interior were spread out
behind him, while before him the vast
expanse OF the lake stretched away till
tho horizon terminated the view. The
thermometer indicated temperature Of
forty degrees, The current in which the
Journey was begun was Of the rapidity OF
about 30 miles an hour. This held good
for some thirty miles, when the barome-
ter showed an elevation OF 10000 feet
At this point, and at this tremendous
height, both shores Of the lake were visible
for 100 miles in either direction. The sun
was fast sinking in the west, and the
view was beautiful in the extreme, Here,
for over an hour, at an elevation Of 10000
feet, the current, which had been carrying
the balloon to little south Of Grand
Haven, died out, and the balloon was
completely becalmed, not moving mile
in that time, Forty.eight vessels were
counted moving In all directions. The
stiffness was most intense. The professor
says that in all his experience he never
before had realized such perfect quiet.
Not wishing TO remain oil night over tho
lake, descent to IN elevation Of some
5000 feet was made, with the view of
continuing it to the water and being
picked up by some vessel In case no cur
rent was found, the car Of the balloon be.
ing II complete life preserver. At the
height mentioned a current to the SOUTH
southeast was struck, blowing about thirty
miles an hour, and here the Professor de-
termined to remain, as II would carry
him near st. Joseph, Mich. In this cur
rent the journey proceeded for about an
hour, when the sun went down and the
earth was Shrouded In darkness, There
was now no longer any object TO be seen
with which TO compare the motion Of the
balloon and guage its rapidity. ...
In such place, at such time, the sen.
sati0ns experienced are most peculiar.
Prof. Steiner says that loneliness Is no
name for the feeling that came over him.
Beneath him was the black void, over
head the stars came out one by one, and
twinkled mGrrily In the vaulted sky. To.
ward the earth thunderstorm was seen
passing over Chicago. At last the moon
rose In great beauty, adding new grandeur
to the scene The sight Is said to have
been one Of the most splendid that can be
conceived. AtthiS time (three O'Clock) the
balloon was 5000 feet above the lake,
some twenty-five miles from the Michigan
shore. BY the light OF the moon the as.
peCt Of the country was plainly visible
Here brisk westerly wind was encoun.
tered, which carried the Professor in an
east southeast direction at the rate of fNy
miles an hour Soon the Michigan shore
was reached, but, not finding q good place
TO land the journey was continued. Lights
are seen rockets ascending now and
then; cannon was heard and occasion.
ally q village was lndistinctly seen.
About ten o'clock railroad train
was heard laundering along, and
presently the headlight OF the
locomotive was seen flashing among the
woods. The balloon was now going east
very fast. It was quite cold, the ther.
mometer showing 81 degrees. The Pro.
fessor bundled up in his cloak and began
TO feel very sleepy. AT length he con.
cluded he would alight, as he was over q
fine farming country, where he could
make q good descent. The valve rope
was pulled, and down the balloon went
til comparatively near tho ground. Here
tddling and merry voices were heard, and
tho Aeronaut thought this would be q good
place 10 stop. So,at little after ten
o'clock, tho anchor was thrown out, and,
after tearing up fence, 1t held on to a
good bottom, and down came the air ship
In clover field, beside road leading to
Mattawan, a station on the Michigan Cen.
tral Railroad, twelve miles this side oI
Kalamazoo. The descent was accom-.
plished most successfully, and once safely
landed the Professor heard a wagon going
past, and called for help, when number
of young men came 10 his aid. They were
greatly astonished at what they saw, and
Still more SO when told that the stranger
they beheld came from Milwaukee direct,
by the overland route, never before trav.
elcd by mortal man.