Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1875-07-28
RAieNuM,S BALLOON

ho NJ. A4ouio utpOC vi TIC -lst SAYS
Yesterday afternoon, the roads hav.
ing become considerably cleaner, and
tho mud having partially disappeared,
n aptcndia nuaicnoo s>s Ia, ,l,lSnduncs
at the Hippodrome. At the close oil
tho performance, the accomplished
prose agent of tho concern, Mr.. ID. s
Thomas, mado an ascension in bal
loon. Mr.. Thomas has been up a few
times with Mr.. Donaldson, and on
Saturday last made his frat ascension
alone, from Chicago. Several mem
bers of the st. Louis press were anxi-
Gus to accompany him yesterday, but
in consideration of the inexpcrience of
the aerial traveller, Mr.. Bsrnum would
not consent that any one should join
him in his voyage.
The balloon took a sonthwestcrly
direction, passing over the city, to-
wards Cahokia. About 10 O. clock last
evening Mr.. Hurd received telegram
from Belleville, sent by DIR. West, az
follows:
'Mr. Thomas came down with the
balloon at Leonard Bowies' farm,
about three miles southwest of Belle
vile, took a drink of milk, and started
again. intending to alight near Fri
bourg."
At the performance last evening
there was an immense throng present,
which must have numbered at least
twelve thousand. Tho performance
passed of splendidly, amidst the ac-
CARNATIONS OF a delighted audience.
Professor King, the celebrated aero
nant, has been telegraphed for.
The Globe of the I'D, has further
particulars of the ascension, as follows
This is the second voyage that Mr..
Thomas has made alone. He made
the first in Chicago, in the unexpected
absence of Professor Donaldson, " hose
arrival was hoped for up to the last
moment. In the face OF the terrible
anxiety regarding that daring and ex
pericnced aeronaut, the ascension re-
CURED considerable nerve on the part
of the comparatively inexperienced
press agent, and it is a source of con-
graduation that the voyage was made
without accident. The balloon was
mado Of Lonsdale cambria, the mate
rial with which balloons are now al
most universally constructed, and con-
tanned $1,000 cubic feet OF gas. "Bar-
mum No. A." as it was called, rose east
ly and at once to distance of A, zoe
feet. Floating in sontheasterly d.
rectioD, IL crossed the river a little
above CarOndelet, landing in Illinois a
mile east Of the river. Finding that
there was still plenty OF gas in the
balloon, Mr.. Thomas made another
ascension, rising to 1890 feet, from
which he descended at point neal
Bcllevillc. As tho power OF the aeria
voyageur was still nnexhausted, Q
third ascension was made. This time
tho balloon rose to a much greater
height than on either of tho previous
occasions. The air became intensel,
cold in tho upper currents, and &c
chilled the oil used in the working Of
tho valves that they could not be oper
atcd. Tho balloon stayed up abou
two hours, and finally landed about .
o'clock near Hazel Greek, seven miles
cast of Bellevillc, in tho midst of a ne
gro settlement. Tho colorcd inhabl
tants were very much frightened at Thu
| appearance of tho monster "a they
first called it, and could not be persua
| ded to come near Mr.. Thomas, whom
they regarded as an erratic visitan
from the moon or some other planet
1t required considerable talking on thu
part of tho lively press agent to con
vince them OF his humanity, and tina
his intentions were entirely peaceful
By tho kindness OF Mr.. Adam Weber
of Bellovillo township, Mr.. Thomas
was made comfortable during tn,
night, and came over to st. Louis O,
the early morning train.
Remember that Barnum will b,
here August 9Th, and that a ball0o,
ascension will positively be mado from
| OttumwA.