Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-01-19

A Man WITH NERVES OF STEEI.-l oung
Donaldson. the daring seronaut, who made
balloon ascension at Reading. Penn, on the
iOth Of August last, and performed series of
ll4peze 1eats when mile or more from the
earth, repeated his thrilling performance in
Norfolk on Monday last There was no basket
TO the balloon, but its place was supplied by a
trapezc similar to those used by circus per-
formers, and above the trapeze was placed a
hoop, secured to which was suit OF heavy
clothing to be used by the ariel voyager when
he encountered the cold currents. The Norfolk
Journal in describing the ascension, says that
when the balloon was released from its moor
ings and reached great altitude Donaldson
suddenly and apparently with little effort threw
himself into sitting posture on the bar, kiss
ing his hand to the crowd below. Suddenly,
pretending to lose his balance, he fell back
wards, sliding head downward until he caught
by his toes on the side ropes that suspended
the trapcze bar. In this pcrlious position he
swung 10 and fro several scoudS-a time which
seemed an age to the awe. stricken crowd be-
low. 1t was curious to observe the varying
emotions of the crowd-aS varying as the dis
position Of each individual. Some were thrilled
with admiration OF the courage OF the daring
man and kept their eyes rivited on him. 9th
ers shuddcring with horror turned away with
palid faces and beating hearts and covered
their eyes with their hands to shut out the
dreadful sight Faint shrieks were heard from
the ladies', and some turned to leave the spot,
but true to the characteristic OF their sex
curiosity-concluded to take one more look,
and looking once, looked again Throwing
himself back in his seat on the bar the
cronant sat astride the same. Then began
series of gymnastic evolutions- balancing him
self on his back; turning over and ''skinning
the cat" by the side ropes, &c Upward
gr;,ndly and steadily rose the balloon, cleaving
The all like mighty bird At length it looked
like mere speck in the clouds. Opera glasses
and telescopes were brought into requistion,
and by their aid Donaldson could be seen still
performing his gymnastic feats. After rising
10 tremendous height the balloon hung Tor a
few moments seemingly suspended in mid air,
and then sailed off in a southeastern direction.
When the balloon was a mere Spcck IN the dis
tance, invisible to the naked eye and almost
through powerful Telescopes the man with
nerves Of steel and the heart OF a lion repeated
his dariug trapezc feat of hanging head down
ward, suspended by his toes. Such u scene
was never before witnessed in Norfolk, and
seldom anywhere in the world. The discrip-
,ion of such a scene reads like romance, but
the reality far surpasses the most vivid powers
effort to depict it. When the aerial ship had
reached an altitude of about half mile, and
struck the colder current of air, the ;eronant
was observed to climb up to the hoop, and get
his suit of thick clothes. Descending to the
bar he dressed himself and then resumed
the gymnastic dispay-exercisng himself to
keep warm Those who were fortunate to
have telescopes saw the balloon gradually de.
scending Occasionally the ;eronaut would
throw down bag Of sand to enable the bal
loon to rise-the country probably not beng
suited for descent. Late IN the evening 1t
was rumored that Donaldson had descended
safely near Kempsville, in Princess Anne
county.
AN EXTENSIVE THIEF-W est Baltimore
has in the past few days developed a female
thief in the person of Louisa Moore (colored),
who ranks among the most dangerous known
to the calandar of this phase OF crime. Her
thefts were conducted in the following way =
She would go to house where she knew there
was a domestic need, and by her attractive
manners soon gain home. After she had
been at the place few days, always selecting
those persons well-to-do for her operatlons,she
would seize upon whatever happened to come
within her reach, and feigning to be dissatisfied
leave This scheme was practiced IN many OF
the first houses in the city, and with consldera-
bic success until she was arrested Monday by
officer Fannery, charged with stealing cloth
ing valued at $50 from Mrs Laura Shakelford
OF No. lS7 north Carey street, and also OF
stealing lot Of silverware valued at $50 from
Mrs. Elizabeth Brown, No. 2U9 north Carey
street.
lTpon both of these charges she was commit
ted for the action of the grand jury. She was
not sent to Jail, as Is customary 10 such cases,
but kept at the station house, on account OF
the probability that more charges would be
made against her. Yesterday Sergeant Cad
walader started upon tour of search through
the western section of the city, and found
goods that had been sold by the prisoner 10
various shops, and belonging to the following
named persons, who preferred charges against
her at the Western STATEN house yesterday at
ternson Mrs. Sophy Ditty, No. 234 Lanvale
street, a lot of clothing and jewelry valued at
s34 Mrs. Ellen Proctor, of No. lS2 Lafayette
avenue, a lot of wearing apparel valued at $25;
Mrs Julia johnson, No. GSI west Fayette
street, silver soup lalle valued at $40, which
the prisoner sold for twenty-five cents.
She was committed upon all these charges
by Justice Bell for the action of the grand
Jury. The officers say that it is thought her
robberies have gone further than have been
made known, and she will be detained at the
station house a few days longer. The station
Yesterday afternoon presented the appearance
of pawnshop Wearing apparel was scatter
ed about the benches in large quantities as
evidence against the prisoner and jewelrry and
slverware spread upon the desk in profuS,,on
that was somewhat novel to look upon.-b"'
t.Lp0w american.
Messrs. Emanuel, of Bond street, London,
recently purchased the jewels of the EmpresS,
Eugene for $4OO, 900. The London Standard
says the collection is remar kable In many ways
That of the Prince Esterhazy was more vllu,
able. but for taste and workmanship, combined
with historical interest, it is not much to say
L. liz - hns boon off. red for sale In