Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-07-12
4TH In WEST CHESTER.



Specially reported for the STATE JOURNAL.
WEST CHESTER, Pa, July 5th, 1S73.-
The ninoty-seventh anniversary of the
Declaration of Independence was cele-
brated in this place with much more en-
.thusiasm than for many years past.
The Juvenile portion Of our population
kept up throughout the day an incessant
firing of Chinese crackers ana pistols, &C.
The Junior o. U. A. NJ, Lafayette Lodge,
No. 1l3, numbering about 90 members
turned ont for parade being accompanied
by two bands Of music. There was
base ball match put under way but It was
interrupted By the crowds Of persons who
occupied the grounds looking at the bal
loon Celsstid, whose ascension was by far
the most attractive feature Of the days
proceedings.
Although Professor Light advertised to
start by D. M, he was unable to get oil
before 5, and could not take MIR. Windle
with him, as had been arranged, on ac-
count of the worthlessness Of the gas
furnished by the West Chester Gas Com
pany.
AT sos n. m. the Professor left us,
taking a northwesterly direction and IL
few minutes was lost TO view, having
entered heavy cloud. This morning be
made bis appearance amongst us again,
having landed near Camden, N. j. Your
reporter Immediately proceeded to inter
view him aud obtained the following ae-
count of his voyage;
Reporter-How soon, Professor, after
you LEFT us did you enter the cloudf
Professor-In about five minutes.
Rep.-To us as you entered, II looked
Ikea fog. What was yeur experience
Prof.EI was thoroughly wet, and II
soon became very dark the wind began
to blow very hard lay down for few
moments In the basket, as 1t became very
cold, but the balloon swayed so much
from side to side that / became little
anxious.
Rep.-Did you not wish yourself bach
on terra frmdl
Prof.-No, sir, / never allow myself t
have any such wishes, they always un
string the nerves but did wish myself
above that cloud, and made all possible
haste to get there.
Rep.-How long were you in til
Prof.-Just eleven minutes.
Rep.-Were you then shut out from
view of the earth :
Prof-Yes But If l only could shoV
the sights that witnessed That cloud
now below me, was grand. The rehee
ton of the sun upon it gave it a magnih
cent appearance. There were apparent
volcanoes In tull operation, snow cappe
mountains, beautiful rolling prairies an
ancient castles. Above me the sky wa
of the deepest blue.
Rep.-What was your highest altitude
Prof-About $4,000 feet was tn
highest point attained.
Rep viii you give me the eours
you took.
Prof.-when left you took a Nortf
easterly direction, and after getting aboy
the cloud | witnessed oil in the direetio
of Wilmington Il thunder storm, whic
caused in short time a vacuum. Til
air around me began to move rapidly
that direction to I'LL it, and was in A
minutes after | left you between Wi
mington aud New Castle, the latter plaC
being only mile to my right. At tn
point dropped down and came IN contai
with q current which took me rapidly
the East, and at 8.17 ! landed on Il
proper y of Joshua Pine, Que mile fro
Woodburytown, Gloucester county, Nd
having Travelled about 65 miles in OIL
hour aud seven minutes.
Reporter.-Did you have any troub
landing2
Prof.-Yes. And if had had Chest
county fences TO contend with / Won
have been killed. l alighted in pots
patch which / tore up beautifully.
then threY out my graphing irons al
caught fence which was soon knock
to pieces, the basket coming in collsi
with il, which bruised me c0nsiderabl
Finding that / could not land in I'll
way-not having sufficient help, l W
compelled to explode my balloon, viii
will, however, be repaired in few da!
That evening Mr.. Pine took me and !
balloon over to Camden.
The ascension was very fine, and
those who witnessed 1t were highly gra
fed. In the evening there was Il VI
creditable display Of pyIotechnics.