Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1874-08-07

4
Since the ascension was made and up
to this time Donaldson had been seated
upon the ring of the balloon above the
basket. The balloon was 1900 feet
above the level of the sea. Donaldson
now came down from the ring and
stepped into the basket. He said:
Boys, we have given the spectators
their fun and now | am going to give
you yours. Out with the drag-rope."
The drag-rope lay in coil in the bot
tom of the basket. 1t was $50 feet long
and fastened to the ring of the globe.
Slowly it was let out When the last
coil had been let out the air-ship began
| slowly to settle. She settled until the
end of the rope touched the ground
Still she went down, and at length about
| 100 feet was trailing upon the earth
Then the balloon remained stationary
with the rope trailing behind.
AT eleven minutes after five the bal
loon was within $50 feet of the land
The noise of the drag-rope passing
| through the trees was like that of the
waves in stormy night dashing against
the sides of a ship. The balloon was
within speaking distance of the land,
and as she passed over the voyagers ex-
changed salutatiOns with the farmers and
citizens who congregated from all direc-
tions to gaze upon the monster. AT this
point picnic party was passed near the
Erie Railroad. 1t was composed mostly
of children, and they waved their hand
kerchiefs and shouted to the aerial voy-
| ayers until their voices were lost in the
distance. The salutes were returned by
| the travellers. All this time the balloon
was travelling at great speed at about
north by west. The scene below was
| beautiful.
The balloon settled to the altitude re-
| quired, and the green fields and greener
forests of New Jersey were skirted with
in speaking distance. Donaldson stood at
his post in the stern, ready at moments
notice to drop ballast if required. AS
the monster passed neat little farm in
Acquananock, little girl was seen run
ming to a woman near huge tree. The
balloon was so low that every word could
be heard. The little girl shouted, ooh,
mamma, come and see this big umbrella! !"
This exclamation was greeted by loud
shouts from the exultant air-travelers
At the next house, which was in Bergen
County, Saddle River, near Munsey, Don
aldson spied man moving. He called
down, "Have you any milk" II guess
So" was the answer. "Take hold of
that rope, then, and pull us down" In
an instant dozen willing hands had
seized the rope, and six gaping
mouths were looking up at the monster.
The balloon came gently to the ground.
The party drank some excellent milk
and departed once more on their voyage
among the stars. This was at eight min
utes to five.
At half-past nine the balloon was direct
ly over West Point. 1t was the inten-
tion of Mr. Donaldson to land here and
pay his respects to the officers; but the
barracks were quiet and nobody was in
view to lower the balloon. The air-ship
sailed directly over the Hudson, and for
an instant it was believed that the east
ern shore would be made; but suddenly
she took turn up the river, and con-
tinueG to follow its course, lowering over
the middle until Fisbkill was reached.
Cold Spring and Newberg were passed,
and still the balloon hung over the river.
The travellers began to resign themselves
to an allnight's trip over the Hudson,
when suddenly the balloon made for the
shore, which she skirted for about
mile. Then she struck a current which
was travelling about north by east, and
started inland toward the west.
all it's splendor, and the peaks of the
mountains were radiant with silver hues.
The balloon, which had now been floating
about seven hours, sped bravely on its
course, leaving the river behind it, but
this time Donaldson began to complain
of fatigue, and stretched himself in the
basket and was soon fast asleep. The
"Barnum" moved on, steadily and sure
ly. A gentle breeze waited her swiftly
over the mountains and the voyagers
took watch and watch in looking out
ahead. The drag-rope trailed over the
mountains and caught in the trees OF the
forests, jerking the balloon at times in a
lively manner, but still Donaldson slept
peacefully. He had given orders to dis
pose of no ballast unless absolutely re-
Quired, and to wake him whenever
trouble was anticipated. But there was
no trouble with the "Barnum." She
sailed steadily on, rising above the
mountains and sinking into the valleys.
The rays of the moon cast feeble
shadow upon the broad fields and the
waving trees. The travellers who were
not on watch stretched themselves in
the bottom of the basket and slept, or
pretended to sleep, until called to take
| their turn at the "forecastle.
The balloon still kept northeasterly
| direction, and at midnight Wappinger's
Falls, a manufacturing village, was
reached The air-ship was then about
300 feet high and the drag trailed at least
| $50 feet. Over the tops of the houses
that heavy rope dragged its length,
aWaking the inmates with a noise like
thunder Suddenly the balloon stood
| still; there was tremendous strain upon
her; then she suddenly bounded forward
and the sound of falling bricks was
heard. The rope had become entangled
with chimney and the chimney had to
give way The reporter looked down,
and Donaldson, who had been awakened,
looked down too A light suddenly ap-
peared in window of the house, the
door opened, and then there was the re-
port of a pistol. Whether it was the
owner shooting at the balloon or some
body else it is hard to say.
All night long the "Barnum" pursued
her course directly northeast AT length
the day broke Then an observation was
taken. The travellers found themselves
among the Berkshire Hills of Massachu-
setts, very near the State line OF New
York
Donaldson began to look out for a
good place to land. He chose a little
| village in Columbia County, and called
upon two men to haul the balloon down.
They grasped the rope, which ran
through their hands owing to the high
wind. They succeeded, however, in
taking a turn around board fence.
There was sudden jerk of the balloon,
and about twenty yards of the fence was
torn away, the rope becoming free again.
The two men looked up in amazement.
Then recovering themselves they shouted,
"Hotel in sight, boysl Well save you