Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-07-22
NUMBER 40.
La Mounsaine's Terrible Death.

A HEART RENDING FINALE TO FOURTH OF
JULY CELEBRATION-AN AERONAUT FALLS
HALF A MILE THROUGH THE AIR TO THE
EARTH BENEATH.
The following detsils of the death of the
aeronaut La Mountaine, at Ionia Michigan,
are printed in the Chicago Times:
heavy squall of wind delayed the ascension
for three hours, but at the end of that time the
air became perfectly calm. Under the direction
of the professor the balloon was got into posi-
ton, and its imitation with hot air commenced.
The canvas was soon filled and loomed up near
ly seventy-fve feet high The basket was
willow one, of size sufficient to hold one per-
son comfortably 1t was attached to the bal
loon BY six or eight long ropes, which were
fastened at the top to a round piece of wood,
some two or three feet in diameter. The ropes
were in no manner fastened together between
the top and the basket. As each piece was one
hundred feet long, it seemed even to the inex-
perlenced eye that there should have been some
webbing or network, at least, over the bag or
bulge of the canvas. 1t was also noticed that
the ropes were unevenly distributed. three or
four being in comparative cluster, leaving the
other strands far apart. Everything being in
readiness, the words, "Let her go, " were given,
and the air-ship darted up with great rapidity,
while the daring aeronaut waved his hat to the
uneasy, uncertain multitude who almost breath
lessly and IN silence watched his fight. I'M
medlately upon leaving the ground the mouth
of the canvas began to flap around with great
violence. When fully half mile from the
earth, and when the whole structure looked no
larger than hogshead, the balloon slipped
from between the ropes and was instantly in
verted. The car and its occupant dropped like
a shot, and when the ropes were pulled taut
the round piece of wood before alluded to was
torn from the canvas. With the most terrific
velocity the unfortunate man descended, cling
ing to the basket. That he was conscious was
evident from his struggles. With all the in
tensity of a life with but one chance, he strove
to raise the basket above him, evidently hoping
to use it as parachute. He succeeded in his
object, but when about one hundred feet high,
he loosed his hold, folded his hands and arms
before his face, and his feet first struck the
ground with dull heavy thud. Then ensued
panic and uproar In the crowded multitude
which is indescribable Women tainted strong
men wept, and, to add to the confusion, the
canvas came flying over the crowd like huge
bird. Some one cried out to get from the way,
as it would fall with crushing force. Then the
cry was taken up, and general rush was made
for safety, IN which many were more or less in
jured. La Mountalne was crushed to a literal
pulp. Not sign of motion or life was visible
when lie was reached. A medical examination
disclosed the fact that hardly whole bone was
left. Many were ground and splintered to pow
der. His jaws fell upon his arms and were
pulVerized. The blood spurted from his mouth
and ears. The corpse was laid out, and placed
on the public square, where it was viewed by
thousands during the afternoon and was sent
to his home at Brooklyn, Mich, on the follow
ing day.