Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-06-13
A Ten Mile Aerial Ride in Paper Ship.

THE Reading Pa,) Times gives the fol-
lowing account of recent daring ascen-
sion of Professor Donaldson:
Donaldson, the irrepressible, the intre-
pid aerial gymnast, has again astonished
his neighbors and fellow-citizens. On
Saturday morning he telegraphed to MIR.
John D. Mishler, from Bethlehem, from
which place he had made an ascension on
Thursday evening, that he would make an
ascension in his paper balloon John d.
Mishler" on Satur lay afternoon from
Reading. He arrived in this city on the
1 90 New York train from Bethlehem, in
the afternoon, and Immediately COM
menced preparations for the initiation and
ascension.
The paper balloon "John D. Mishler"
has been manufactured for some time 1t
is made of the same material as that in
which goods are wrapped, and, of course,
it is very frail in its structure. The Pro-
fessor has made several attempts, and had
met with so many reverses from windy
and wet weather, that it was doubtful if
this attempt would prove successful. How
ever, the word fail or cowardice are un-
known in the Donaldson vocabulary, and
consequently the preliminary preparations
were commenced. Meanwhile several
square. The process of initiation was
somewhat slow, and the condensation of
gas after the sun had gone down added
somewhat to the detention, but at fifteen
minutes past seven, everything being in
readiness, the command "let gon was
given, and the balloon rose gracefully and
majestically. Professor Donaldson was
seated in the rigging, having dis
pensed with the basket and appurte-
nances which could not be carried along.
He rose to a considerable height, and
sailed in an almost direct southerly direc-
ton. The balloon presented a grand ap-
pearance in the departing rays of the sun,
which had Just set when he left earth. 1t
was visible for about fifteen minutes, and
appeared to be almost stationary, the
wind having lulled to an apparent calm.
At intervals he waved his handkerchief,
and was greeted with prolonged cheers
from the enthusiastic thousands of look
ers-on. He landed fifteen minutes before
eight o'clock, in field about ten miles
from Reading. The landing was accom-
plished successfully and with but little
difficulty, although the balloon was much
torn, and was left on the field. Not being
able to obtain conveyance, he had to
walk back to Reading, arriving here a few
minutes before eleven O'Clock.
For the first time in his life, Professor
Donaldson witnessed two sunsets in one
evening, the first before he left terra .frmd,
and the second after he had gone beyond
the clouds. The latter he describes as
beautiful beyond description.
This is the first paper balloon ascen-
sion by an aeronaut on record Although
it proved successful, and was the cheap
est ascension in a pecuniary sense that
could be made, Professor Donaldson has
no desire to repeat it-not for fear of the
safety of the ascension, but because of the
frail character of the balloon, and the
almost certainty of its destruction in max
ing landing.
The weight of the "John D. Mishler"
was forty eight pounds, being but half that
of the ordinary balloon of similar ca
pacity 1t held $4,000 cubic feet of gas
The cost of the paper used in the construc-
tion amounted to $3.50.