Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1874-07-29
ACROSS THE ALLEGHENIES,
OYER FIVE STATES.

most remarkable and interesting bal
loon voyages ever made in this country.
There have been but two instances in
which balloonists have remained so long
in the air and passed over so great an
extent of territory. One Of these was
the famous eronaut LaMountain and
party, from st, Louis TO Jefferson City,
in this State, some years ago, and the
other that of Professor King and Mr..
Luther l.. Holden, in 1872, from Can
ada, the distance travelled being some
what over 500 miles. The balloon
Buffalo is the largest save one ever
constructed in America, and certainly
the most beautiful ever constructed
anywhere. Its capacity Is 81 900 cubic
feet, and when inflated with the ordi-
nary coal gas, ii will lift something over
5000 pounds.
We left the earth at precisely five
minutes after six o'clock, and in ten
minutes had reached an altitude of
2,167 feet The balloon took course
very little east of south, passing over
the bay. There were clouds above and
around and the atmosphere towards
the horizon was quite hazy. Asa con-
sequence the stretch Of vision was linn
tied. A large section Of country was
visible, however, and the sight was one
Of much beauty.
Passing southwark through New
York without much Of interest occur
ring about twenty minutes after mid
night we crossed what was taken to be
the first range of the Allegheny Mount
aims. The passage over the main chain
and range was made IN less than two
hours. The balloon floated at various
degrees of altitude during the passage.
Frequently we were so near the earth
as TO hear the wind rushing through
the tree tops, and the sound of rushing
waters. Sometimes the dark outline
of an immense peak higher than those
about would rise up, and then Profess
or King would discharge the requisite
amount of ballast to "liit" us over
The drag-rope, which perhaps for a
few moments had been wishing"
through the tree tops, occasionally
giving n tug at the basket for a moment
when caught by limb would swing
clear and ON we would 20. the next
instant perhaps passing over a deep
valley. Thus we passed on "over the
mountains high and finally left the
Allegbanies behind. At twenty min
utes after four. streaks of dawn began
10 appear. and then came the great anx-
iety 10 know where we were. We
knew that we had passed well over
pennsylvania. and the prevailing opin-
ion was that we were either IN Mary
land or virginia. AS the morning ad.
yanced. some of the sleepy denizens
appeared outdoors, but when shouted
to and made TO look up and see that a
balloon was passing at no great distance
above them. they only gazed in stupid
wonder and never thought of answer
ing the questions shouted down TO
them. demanding aWhat State is this p
aWhat county. or, what town ?" Fin.
ally. however one was found less stolid
than the rest. and from him we learned
that we were crossing York county,
Pa. Soon the Susquehanna River was
reached and crossed near Fulton coun.
ty. Twenty minutes after passing the
Susquehenna, we crossed corner OF
Maryland, few miles from Hhvre de
Grace. Changing our course somewhat
now to the easterly. portion of the
Delaware was passed over We cross
ed the Delaware River at twenty min.
utcs to seven. directly over Delaware
City. At this time the greatest alti.
tude attained during the voyage was
reached. viz. 9,75s feet. or not far
short of two miles. We doubt if mortal
man ever before looked on such scene
as now met the gaze of the voyagers.
Spread out around us seemed what
might be taken for the very garden OF
the world Plainly to be seen were
Newcastle. Wilmington, Elkton, Havrc
de Grace, and numerous other towns,
villages. and cities in the different States.
League Island and Philadelphia were
dimiy to be seen. as were also Cape
Nav and the ocean itself the whole Of
Delaware Bay. and the greater portion
: of Cbesapeake Bay. Having deter.
mined to effect landing before ap.
proaching nearer to the coast. the
Professor opened the large valve, al.
lowing the gas to escape and we rap
idly approached the earth. We were
and first touched the ground in the
corner of wheat field, some seven
miles from that place. As we neared
the earth it was found that high
wind threatened to =, cause no small