The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1873-08-14
F-i.htfnl Experience %: "a s:IiIeoni>i.

Philadelphia rres, August 7ih.
\ most thrilling scene - wjIue -Sctl last
evening about dusk On tie Delaware, i'll
front o. the city, AMI which Game near being
attended with fatal results. \ balloon as
cension had been announced to TAX pllce nj
Point Airy, the southern extremity OF Wind
mill Tor Smiths Island, ani ~ the hour
appointed th,i part six o'cluckj Ore. near,
hundreds ui Spectators gathered un a." "a :
wharveS and i;lan The street corners il the
neighborhoo.i al AGENT :" the Point Airy
and Smiths Island ferries 10 witness the
novel sight At The hour appointed, from
Fourth street AL Delaware a.rnua, the
upper portion of the balloon could ne seen
slowly expanding above the innh-r pi!e'
on the island which intercepted 'he vie~,
and the general anticipation of the expect
ant multitude was iisst. ike precioiS exit
bitions the ascent gon;a r,Gt exceed q GER
tat, ,I,,,ri..c Their eIS 40 little cGnsierra-
ton. therefore, g;:"l shortly nei":e seven
o'clock the nsiiu,n suddenly shot directly
upward. to height of several huD!.sd ieet
above the ir.einps without any Wis
able means Of holding il in posi-
ton. A steady breez. was blowing from
the SO ilhwest, and AZ the air-ship moved of
10 the northward its progress was watched
with breathless expectancy by gaping crowds
on both sides Of the river. Meanwhile, the
balloonIst, clad in the bespang'ed costume OF
a circus actor, went through a variety Of
evolutions upon the Suspended bar, which
seemed to float along ic the wake of the bal
loon. Now with his head 70 the earth, now
twisting and turning, the daring man con-
tinued to ,!isport himself with the Utmost
appdren; recklessneSs. lie reached such a
great height that the gymnastic operations
were hardly visahle, but in Il short time the
gaIsy ti,a;er WAS observed TO slowly descend
over the channel at Smiths Island, the PUP
pose of i,s controller having been evidently
to effect landing on the northern extremity
of the island Either owing 10 the failure oi
the gas to escape with efficient rapidly, or
because Of the stiffness of the breeze then
blowing, the attempt was unsirce ssiUi, and
the balloon ami lis manager did no: come
within thirty feet Of the surface, but went
sweeping ri nc oyer the river beyond. Some
distsnc,. above the island the man struck
the river. but still retained his hold Of the
ropes, which, propelled ny the fast drifting
balloon was dragged through the water n. a
fearful rate. Finding himself growing weak
er from the constant strain upon his muscles,
and being momentairly in danger of be-
coming entagled in the ropes Of the balloon
and dragged benesth the surface the man
finally let go his hold, and in his exhausted
condition struck on, with tired, oserArsined
arms for the nearest refuge. Several small
sail boats shot out from the shore and from
their courses on the river. and headed Ior
the now apparently dro~u.d man but be-
fore they could reach the sinking h:lloonist
the ferry-boat America, which hal left the
Market street slip TO bross the bar. reached
him just az be was a5ont giving ny, and took
him on board. The credit OF his Tescue Is
due to the night force Of the America, Who
lost no time in runn;n: q ladder into the
water, upon which the man was helped on
the boat in thoroughly exhausted condi-
tior. The balloon, when iightened Of its
load, went careering wildly along upon the
wav-S, now white-csppsi by the sifi even
Ing breeze, in the direction of Cooper's
Point, where it finally brought Up in
totally di,apidaied condition, upon he cutter
pier ii the wharf at that point.