Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-07-23

perienced gymnast, probably hung
on with stronger and more skillful
hold. But even if the elder and
stronger of the two survived his COM
rade, his fate could not have been
delayed many minutes. Once fairly
sprawling upon the surface of the
water, with the basket suspended
from it serving as a drag, the balloon
could not escape from the tempest by
flying before it. Some violent con-
cussion between the winds above and
the waters beneath would soon burst
it i'll twain, and that would be the
end-until the last trump shall sound,
and the sea give up its dead.
The Tribune has the followin g
brief biographical sketch of Mr..
Grimwood, Of the Chicago journal,
reporter, who was one of the voy-
ayers. an the fated balloon:
Mr.. Newman S. Grimwood, the re-
porter of the Journal, whose courage
GUS bearing on the car of the balloon
previous and subsequent to the ascent
added romance to his sad fate, was
but % years, and though of little ex-
tperience as a journalist, was regarded
by those who knew him as a young
man of great promise. From Mr..
w. X. Sullivan, city editor of the
Journal, who entertained for him a
more than friendly regard, the follow
ing brief history of the unfortunate
boy is obtained:
About twelve years ago, when Mr..
Sullivan was teaching school in Ken
dali county, he numbered among his
pupils the four brothers Grimwood.
Their father was a wealthy and influ-
entail farmer of the county, promi-
nent in politics and good works, and
one of the best known and respected
people of the neighborhood. New
ton was the youngest of the brothers.
He was devoted to study, and showed
no preference for the sports which to
school-boys are half the pleasure OF
existence. His reading was always
of heavy subjects. He was thought
tul and quiet, as most studious boys
are, but occasionally uttered COM
ment or expressed an opinion which
opened the eyes of his hearers. Mr..
Sullivan lost 81 ght of him for some
time, but few months ago received
letter from his old-time protegc,
asking what chance there was of Oh
tanning a situation on Chicago pa
per. He was then working. ON the
Joliet San, but desired to make an
opening in metropolitan journalism.
Mr.. Sullivan promised a trial when a
vacancy should present itself, and
two months ago employed him regu-
larly OH the paper. He succeeded
well as Il reporter, but gave proof of
ability far beyond the needs of such
a position. He has written several
poems, one of which he sent to Mr..
Longfellow, receiving in return 4
kindly criticism of his effort and no
little encouragement to develop his
talents for verse-making.
As regards the fatal balloon voy-
age, Mr.. Grimwood applied to MIR.
Sullivan for seat in the car. The
morning newspaper men were given
an ascent - for advertisement, of
course-on the previous day, and Mr..
Grimwood and reporter on the Post
and Mail were to go up on Thursday.
Mr.. Sullivan endeavored to dlssuade
him; urged the perils of lake voy-
age, and tried by persuasion and rid
icule to prevent his making the trip.
Mr.. Grimwood, however, with a
youthful faith in the honesty of man
kind, make up his mind to accom-
pany Donaldson, and maintained his
place in the treacherous basket.