The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-01-23
NERVES OF Steel.
BIood-Curdling Performances of IN
Eronaut at Norfolk.

Young Donaldson, the daring eronaut, who
made balloon ascension at Reading, Pa, on
the 3Oth of August last, and performed Sc
ries of trapezs feats when mile or more
from the earth, repeated his thrilling per-
formance In Norfolk on Monday last. There
was no basket to the balloon, but Its place was
supplied by trapeze similar to those used by
circus performers, and above the trapeze was
placed hoop, secured to which was suit Of
heavy clothing, to be used by the @rial voy-
ager when he encountered the cold currents.
The Norfolk Journal, in describing the ascen-
sion, says:
When the balloon was released from its
moorlpgs and reached q great altitude, Dom
aldson suddenly, and apparently with little
effort, threw himself into sitting posture on
the bar. kissing his hand to the crowd below.
Suddenly, pretending to lose his balance, ne
he caught by his toes on the side ropes that
suspended the trapeze bar. In this perilous
position he swung to and fro several seconds
q time which seemed an age to the awe
stricken crowd below. It was curious to OBJ
serve the varying emotions OF the croWd-as
varying as the dispositions OF each
individual. Some were thrilled with admlra,
kept their eyes rivetted on him. Others, shud-
dering with horror, turned away with pallid
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-curiosl,
ty-concluded to take one more look, aud
looking once, looked again. Throwing him.
self back in his seat on the bar the aronaut
sat astride the same. Then began series OF
gymnastic evolutlons- balancing himself on
horseback, turning over and ''sklnning the
cat" by the side ropes, &c. Upward grandly
and steadily rose the balloon. cleavlng the air
mere speck in the clouds Opera glasses and
telescopes were brought into requisitlon, and
by their aid Donaldson could still be seen per-
forming his gymnastlc feats. Alter rising 10
tremendous height the balloon hung for
few moments seemingly suspended In mid-air,
and then sailed Of In southeastern oi-
rece1on When the balloon was mere speck
in the distance, invisible 10 the naked eye,
and almost through powerful telescopes, The
man with nerves OF steel and the heart or
lion repeated his daring trapeze feat by hang
ing head downward, suspended by his toes
Such scene was never before witnessed IN
Norfolk, and seldom anywhere In the world.
The description OF such scene READS IKE
romance, but the reality far surpasses the
most vivid powers of sWord painting" and
we desist from the vain effort TO depict It,
When the erial ship had reached an altitude
of about half mile, anu struck the colder
current OF air, the eronaut was observed 10
climb up to the hoop and get bis suit OF cs tnick
clothes. Descending to the bar he dressed
himself, and then resumed the gymnastlc dis
play-exercsing himself to keep warm. Those
who were fortunate to have telescopes saw the
balloon gradually descending: Occasionally
the @ronaut would throw down bag OF
sand to enable the balloon to rtse-the eoun-
Late In the evening 1t was rumored that Don
aldson had descended safely near Kempsville,
In Princess Anne County.