Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-08-05

BALLoONING OVER VERMONT.-Donald-
son, the man who really tried to start the
Graphic balloon last year for Europe, is
making a series of ascensions for P. t.
Barnum, to find out whether there are the
famed easterly currents of air. If he should
find them Barnum will build balloon for
Il transatlantic voyage, but his attempts
can hardly be termed successful. In near
ly II dozen ascensions, made during the
month. the balloon has sailed away to
nearly all points of the compass except the
one desired direction-east. The party
that accompanied the aeronaut, Tuesday
afternoon, comprised several gentlemen
and one lady-Miss Annie Thomas. The
balloon, this trip, headed almost due north.
At 22O Wednesday morning, the party
made landing on the railroad track near
East Wallingford. They aroused the sleep
ers by blowing horns and remaining Il few
hours. After breakfast, at 7.35, they seated
themselves in the cur, and loosed their
hold upon earth. The balloon rose rapid
", taking a northeast course.
At go. in the quiet town of North
Shrewsbury, the great balloon landed on
the farm of Thurman Aldrch, and within
IL few moments nearly all the men, women
and children in town were out tO see the
wonder. The monster was moored in
front of n. j. Aldrich's store, where it re-
manned more than an hour. During this
time several ladies enjoyed the pleasure of
II trip to the clouds, and returned in safety
At this point Mr.. Rogers and Mr. Ferris
left the balloon, and Prof Donaldson and
Mr.. Davis continued their journey in the
direction of Woodstock.
Relieved of portion of the burden the
balloon rose gracefully and swiftly up
through the clouds, above the storm into
a region of bright sunlight. The clouds
were about 1000 feet high. and half mile
thick. The heat of the sun caused the gas
to expand, increasing its buoyancy, and
dried the moisture that had collected on
the surface of the balloon, relieving it of
much weight. The air ship continued to
ascend very rapidly, and at fifteen minutes
past II o'clock attained the enormous
height of 1890 feet, considerably more
than two and half miles. So intense was
the stiffness that even at this altitude the
voyagers could plainly distinguish the
noise of the earth below and could hear
the rain pattering- on the leaves of the
trees. The earth was invisible except as
the clouds would break, when it would be
seen as through Il window. Objects were,
of course, very indistinct, an ordinary
house resembling Il pin head in size. The
thermometer at this time stood at g.. At
ter short sOjourn in this rariied atmos-
phere, Mr.. Donaldson concluded to return
to earth, and pulled the bell rope. The
descent was very slow until the clouds
were reached, and the rain began to beat
on the balloon. The water added so much
to the weight that the motion was increas-
ed to a velocity that was dangerous, and
the navigator began casting out the sand
bags. He threw out $50 pounds before he
could check the momentum, and was oblig-
ed to cut the drag-rope. The landing was
eHectcd SaIely, however, through the iS>lS-
lance of a number of men who were mt
work in the field. The graphing hook
caught in stone fence. and the men were
enabled to pull the aer ostat to the ground
AS he leaped from the car Donaldson drew
his watch from his pocket and calculated.
just two minutes past twelve O'clock "
He was told he was near the village of
rhetford, Vt. He considered the trip the
most brilliant one he has ever made. The
altitude OF 1890 feet is greater than any
he has before attained. During the voy-
age he traversed over 400 miles and cross
ell the state of New York, New Jersey,
Massachusetts,, New Hampshire, and Yer
mont.
Another description of his landing says
the balloon landed in the yard of Mr.. Tres
colt, and so frightened Mrs. T. that she
seized her child. and running into the
house, barricaded the doors and windows.
The huge affair was Immediately packed
and removed to Thetford Depot. for trans
portation to Boston, from which place the
balloon rises each Tuesday and Friday in
August.