The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-04-30
A MID.AIR ADVENTURE.

poNAI DsoNs ACCOUNT OF HIS NARROW ESCAPE
FROM TERRIBLE DEATH.
Donaldson's story, as it was hurlsediy given
to a reporter of the Philadelphia Telegraph,
runs as follows When had reached an alti-
tude of 500 feet, found the basket swaying
great deal-decidedly unsteady, even for
me. I let out the rope its full length, and
found that it stealied the car. The balloon
continued to ascend with remarkable speed,
and the earth rapidly receded. When had
been up some twenty-five inmates, I found,
on consulting my barometer, that had reach
ed an altitude Of over 5000 feet. It was in
tensely cold. have in my time reached far
greater attitudes, but remember none where
l experienced the cold more keenly than yes
terday. l was chilled through, and could
scarcely mcxe my limbs and hands, they were
| so benumhed.
| At this elevation / desired drink and,
turned to- bottle of Mineral water, two of
which had taken up with me, and found
| both frozen solid. I row passed over Gloa--
| cester, and was making my way rapidly to-
wards tae ocean, which could see in the dim
distance, between Atlantic City and Cape May.
thought it about time to come down and
reach up, but, to my surprise and DISNEY, I
found the valve ropes gone.
You may rest assured this worried rae
could only account for it on the grour1 that
by some powerful suction they had been
drawn into tho neck OF the balloon. Before
ray ascension I had them in my haod, and
was certain they were within reach, and was
stunned to learn my mistake.
If my hands had not been so paralvzed
with the cold, might by going up on the
netting, have arraged other ropes 70 work. but
lull in the wind, and let out all my rope,
with the anchor attached, and this brought
down the balloon. The point where COM
menced to land was abont twenty miles south
west of Camden, aud when I reached height
Of one hundred feet above the earth, / had
gone about six miles beyond the town Of At
co, which is about twenty-five miles beyond
Camden. My anchor caught in q tree, and
seemed to hold fast.
The balloon, under freshiag wind, pulled
at it like giant, and there l was between the
two, not knowing whether to trust myself to
the rope beneath or to take my chances in the
balloon. My fear was that the rope would not
hold, and knew that if went up again
should probably come down with nothing
better than water to rest upon. 1 certainly
would have got in the ocean. In this ex-
tremitty I'D the swapping OF the net. and
knowing that some of the meshes had pre-
vious!y given away, 1 made up my mind
not to trust myself any longer with the bal
loon.
So out with my jackknife and cut the
ropes which held it to the concentrating ring,
and in moment the balloon was going off to
Europe, and and the basket were tumbling
to the earth. l fell a distance, I think, Of
seventy-five feet. but dropping with the basket,
my fall was broken somewhat, and escaped
with only some severe bruises. was stunned
and lay there some time, / guess, when q
number Of people came running up. Some
stayed, while few put off to the town and
sent in the dispatches about my having been
dashed to pieces.
That was kind fellow who wanted to
know what to do with my body. would like
to see him. When / recovered. which was
very soon, I put off with wagon to the near
est station, went to Berlin, and stopped at a
hotel over night, and arrived here (Philadel-
phis) this morning, with nothing but the
basket Ill baggage wagon. l don't feel rs
happy as l might, but under the circum-
stances it Is. perhaps. well that was able to
bring the basket back l am ready for the
1ext ascension in Newark
I've always beeuin the habit Of managing
ny balloons l don't like them to manage
ne Ihls fellow Was new, and perhrps it was
wing to his having never been broken in
hat he acted in such skittish manner.
This donaldson 60. off in very dry, mineral
7ater manner.) This is the FIRST balloon that
yer got away from me- l have had them
ear, but I've always brought back some of
he pieces. This went of, leaving only some
aggage behind. I expect in q day or so 10
ear OF its arrival a. Lisbon, or some point ON
1e northwestern African coast.-.S. Lou;s
ines.