The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1874-07-16
THE "BUFF ALO."
Travels Of a Balloon from Buffalo, N. Y,
to Salem, N. J.-Prof. King and Three
Newspaper Reporters the Occupants
Scenes and Sensations in the Clouds.

IN.
Newspaper Reporters the Occupants
Scenes and Sensations in the Clouds.
Correspondence Of The Inquirer.
SALEM \. j., July s.
On Sunday about seven o'clock 4. NJ.
balloon was seen passing over Salem IN a
southcasterly direction by many of the citi-
zens Some thought it was toy balloon,
as from its great height it had the appear
ance Of one, and the drag rope looked like
the strings or pieces of sewing cotton usual
ly attached to these affairs, but others view
inc it through glasses were enabled to see
that the balloon had a car attached and
that said Cur had several occupants, and al
50 the word Buffalo was visible to them
painted on the side of the balloon. 1t was
watched by many as it speed its way to-
ward the village of Quinton, where 1t seem
ed gradually to sink until it disappeared
entirely, and many started in search, be
leving a landing had been made at that
place.
1t was ascertained by those that followed
the course of the air ship that it came down
in a wheat field on the Walker farm, and
rebounded, settling upon a tract OF bush
land near by.
The news Of the descent spread very
rapidly through the surrounding neighbor
hood, and hundreds Of persons visited the
spot during the day, curious to get a sight
Of the aerial visitor and its daring passen-
gers The tail Of comet Coggia swooping
over this section would not, perhaps, crea-
ted a greater sensation than did the ''Buf-
f;lo'' as she landed among the barrcns OF
| Quinton. For miles around the inhabit-
ants came to see, hear and question-the
balloonists were not talked to death, Or,
rather, questioned to death though, oh, no;
they were newspaper men, or at least three
Of them were, with the renowned Prof.
Samuel A. King, the celebrated aeronaut.
Professor Kings companions were Wal
ter I. Chester, of the Courier James
Albro, of the Commercial Adcerti$er, Buf-
Ello, and Luther S. Holden, of the Boston
Journal. They (the reporters) were con
yeyed to this city by person living near
the place of descent, reaching here about
halfpast one p NJ, dined at Garwood S
Hotel, and telegraphed to their journals
from here, giving sketch Of the voyage.
Messrs. Albro and Chester desiring to
reach New York early Monday morning,
left here at three P. II. for Penns-grove,
to connect there with the steamer -4rjet for
! Philadelphia, Mr. Holden remaining be-
hind to assist Professor King with the bal
loon, which they packed up and took with
! them by the afternoon steamer from this
city on Monday.
The following facts were ascertained
from the professor The balloon was built
in Buffalo, n. Y, last fall, for him, with
money contributed by the citizens of that
place. Its capacity is 81 900 cubic feet Of
gas, and an ascension power Of about two
tons. 1t is made Of cotton cloth Of the
J strongest texture, painted and vanished
The passenger car is about six feet and the
provision and baggage car about four feet
square, both made Of willow wicker work
One side Of the vessel is ornamented with
the picture of buffalo, and on the other
f the word Buffalo is painted in large let
ters. 1t assembled from Buffalo about sly
| p. NJ. on the Fourth, being one of tn,
features of the celebration in that city.
1t was advertised to ascend at two o'colcl
in the afternoon, but the ascension wa
postponed until the hour named on account
Of the high wind prevailing. The popula
: ton Of the city turned out en- nadSsc to Sc,
the ascension, and the crowds of people il
the streets, on houses, up trees, and il
every place which afforded a view of tn,
e heavens, is represented as being very great
The course taken was little east o
t south, and as the vessel arose from the cit,
there was the most unearthly din of music
cheers, ringing Of bells, steam whistles, anC
E shouts of the multitude gathered togethe
I to see the air ship start on her voyage.
. She rose very rapidly, and foated ou
2 tude OF about two thousand feet 1t drift
ted over the lake for considerable dis
: tance, about a mile and a half from shore
: when, crossing again to land, it sailed owe
s Hamburg bay. Keeping this course (eas
n Of south), they drifted over Erie and Cat
taraugus counties, New York, and for abou
e three hours sailed within easy hailing dis
B tance of the inhabitants below, less thai
half a mile above the earth.
h Night having set in they sailed along il
darkness over wild, uninhabited countr
for long distance, and diagonally acros
. Mexican, Cameron, Centre, Miiiiin Junia
Il ta, Perry, Cumberland and York counties
; Pa, meanwhile having magnificent vie,
d of the comet
The moon having arisen, soon afte
t eleven o'clock it grew brighter At tw
u they were sailing at a considerable altitude