The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1873-07-24

German Grammar School of his native
place, and afterwards graduated at the High
School. From his earliest youth Professor
Wise was imbued with desire, or, as he
himself expresses it, longing to float
among the clouds" He would sit for hours
watching the birds, and wishing for wings
like theirs with which to ascend into space
When only fourteen years of age, he began
experimenting, and for long time his
principal amusement consisted in construct
ing and sending up kites and balloons. In
deed, anything that would fly gave him
pleasure. At this time he was apprcnticed
to a cabinet-maker, and for number of
years worked faithfully at his trade. He
never lost sight of ballooning, however,
and day seldom passed in which he did
not make some new experiment, some novel
attempt, in this his only pastime.
Professor Wise's first ascension was made
in Philadelphia some forty years ago. At
that time he was only twenty-sixy years ofage.
He made the ascent alone, in balloon con-
structed by himself, and was successful in
every way. He passed over the city twice,
first from east to west, and then, ascending
higher from west to east. He landed in
safety nine miles east of the city. Soon
after this the young aeronaut became ac-
quainted with Professors Espy and Henry,
from whom he received many valuable
hints. A few years after his first ascent the
Professor determined to penetrate into a
storm cloud. He wrote to Professor Henry
upon the subject, asking him for his opin-
ion as to the feasibility of the project. The
reply was favorable, and since then Prof
Wise has sailed for upwards of hundred
miles in the midst of thunder clouds, and
always without accident. In the course of
this remarkable mans most eventful career,
he has made no less than four hundred and
forty-six balloon ascensions. OF these, his
memorable voyage from st. Louis to New
York is most notable. From early man.
hood, Professor Wise has been determined
to attempt the crossing of the Atlantic in a
balloon. He has lived with that one object
in view. He memorialized Congress for
funds with which to make the experiment;
the memorial was referred to the Commit
tee on Naval Affairs, apd has not since been
heard from. He appealed to his friends,
only to be disappointed. Now, however,
his darling wish is soon to be realized Ere
many weeks shall have passed, the attempt
will be made, and with every prospect of
success. That at a certain height current
from west to east, is beyond dispute; that
Professor Wise is in every way master of
his profession is not to be doubted; and
that he will be furnished with every means
that money can secure is already assured.
Mr.. W. h. DONALDSON.
Washington H. Donaldson was born in
Philadelphia, April Z, 1910, of Quaker pa
rentage. Very early in life he struck out
for himself, and in 1857 studied the bust
ness of ambrotyping with his father, one of
the first artists in that line in his native
city. In 1860 he was engaged in photo
graphic establishment in this city, and af-
forwards learned the art of engraving on
stone. But his health failed under the con-
fnement of these pursuits, and he was
obliged to seek outdoor exercise and bust
ness. From early childhood he had con-
ceived a strong liking for gymnastic exer-
cises, and in 1861 he secured an engagement
as teacher in this line, and met with great
success. A few years ago he determined to
turn his attention to aeronautics, and ac-
cordingly made his first ascent at Reading,
Pa, August 30, 1871. Since that time Mr.
Donaldson has made more than thirty trips,
many of them being of very exciting
character.
In person Mr.. Donaldson is of medium
height, dark complexion, black hair and
eyes, and possesses a superb physique. He
is temperate to a fault, abstaining from all
Intoxicating drinks, even to tea and coffee.
ing, 81 am determined to have my lease of
life." His manner carries with it an i'm
preston of earnestness and determination,
and convinces the listener that he will not
undertake the voyage across the ocean as an
adventure, but solely with the desire to
prove the feasibility of navigating the air.
Last autumn he announced his determine |
ton to cross the Atlantic in a balloon this |
summer, and this announcement led to the !
formation of a partnership with Professor
Wise. In an interview with a reporter of
the Sun, published January IL, Mr.. Don
aldson said: ''Next summer 1 shall have |
something for the Sun to notice. 1 shall
show the'people that the ocean can be cross
ed by balloon, and that can do it." In |
the World of June I, another interview was
published, in which Mr.. Donaldson said :
During the month of March one hundred |
vessels were lost and many lives. 1t is high |
time to discover some safe, quick, and |
comfortable transit across the Atlantic, and |
this is Just what Professor Wise and in
tend to do" In letter to the editor of the |
Boston Globe, published June 3, Professor
Wise writes: 1.-The balloon has been abused |
too long as an itinerant and acrobatic ve-
hicle, and should now be made to subserve
science and commerce, and so says my
young and energetic friend and companion,
w. H Donaldson, who has done more with
the balloon than any other living man, al
though an aeronaut of only two years ex-
perience." -.-