Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-01-20

Dhne h"l. w puDnSneu yesterday: from
the Norfolk Journal, a thrilling account of a
balloon ascension by Prof. Donelson, with bis
daring feats. The same paper furnishes the
hythe :eronaut. After being in the air about fit:
teen minutes he thought it was time to descend
and pulled the valve cord to allow tile escape OF
the gas The valve did not open, and he pull
ed again. 1t still remained closed, and there
being no time to lose, he pulled with both
hands. Again failure, and for the third time
he gave strong, steady jerk.
There was sharp, Kissing sound, az If made
by the tearing OF cloth, followed by rushing
noise and he knew that the balloon had burst.
ed
The balloon Gid not collapse, being proven
ted from doing so by the rush of air trom be
meath but closed up at the sides. At this
time the 9ronaut was seated in the
cross pieces, above the trapeze bar. The bal
loon leaned over 10 one side, and descended
with irghtiul velocity-the aronaut lying ex-
tended at an angle of about forty degrees. At
the time Of the explosion the balloon was at a
h"igh, Of about mile. From this immense
hight ii FELL swaying from side to side Du-
ring this awful period the aronaut's feelings
may be imagined. but cannot be described
He says tor the first time in his life he was
frightened. In short time, which seemed an
'.rrnity to him, the balloon struck the branch
e. Of tree. and went crashing through
III. limbs. The ropes aud trapeze bar
ed the rapility of descent, but still the
velocity was terrific. Crashing through the
branches the balloon fell to the ground,
The ;cronaut landing on his back In heap of
hriars. His pants were torn and his legs LAGER
acd by the briars, but beyond this he escaped
without injury. Ills escape from Il frightiul
death in simply miraculous
LAws-'rhe follow ing bills and Joint resolu
tons passed at this session of the Legislature
have become laws 10y the approval Of the Gov.
crnor: concerning larceny, and to repeal the
act to provide for the punishment Of horse
stealing to amend the Code, with reference
10 sales under attachments to amend an act
directing the Board of Public Works to sell the
State interest in the various internal improve
mcut companies of the Commonwealth con-
tinung the payment Of the interest and divi-
dends to the incorporated colleges or other
Seuiuaries OF learning in the State allowing
incorporated towns of the Commonwealth TO
n>e the county iails to render valid the char
ter of incorporation Of the Charlottesville
WOODEN Mills and to lcgalize all acts done in
pursuance thereof to amend the acts so as
10 provide for the payment of interest upon
The Dawson fund to authorize the Seaboard
and Roanoke Railroad Company to acquire an
interest in connecting railroads requiring the
repositories Of the public moneys OF the Com
mouwealth TO execute additional bonds.
The following bills have become laws with
out the approval of the Governor in relation
10 rule days for county and corporation courts,
and declaring when office judgments shall be
final TO incorporate the Shenandoah County
Bank providing for furnishing surplus law
publications to the colleges of the State in
which law schools are established to amend
the charter of the town Of Leesburg also the
Joint resolution petitioning the Congress Of the
| United States TO remove all disabilities under
the operation of the fourteenth amendment.