Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1876-07-22
THE .ERONAUT.S FATE.

Yesterday was full of accidents and
incidents, but the most thrilling and in
tensely exciting was the trightfnl fall of
John Short from his balloon. To day
be is upon his deathbed, still alive but
mangled and crushed. The details Of
the affair are as follows: The balloon
ascension was set for four o'clock, from
the south side of the courthouse yard,
but at three the immense canvas was
full of hot air, and struggled like an im-
patient charger to be of. 1t was held
to the ground by ropes in the hands of
strong men, but it was deemed best not
70 keep them waiting there an hour
longer, it being no easy task to hold 1t
down. So the word was given to let
her GO and all released their ropes save
one man whose name we did not learn.
He was standing next to the court
house and his having hold of the rope
pulled the air ship to one side, and as
it arose the sharp corner OF the building
tore a large hole. Through this the
smoke and hot air rushed in torrents,
and gave the balloon the appearances OF
being in flames. The most intense ex
citement prevailed on the streets. A
number of ladies tainted, children cried
in terror, and brave men stood aShast
or ran in hot haste, screaming, up Main
street TO Sixth where the balloon was
coming .down with startling rapidity.
1t seemed to fall like mammoth mete-
or TO the earth. Prof Short did not at
first know the danger he was in, and
went through his wonderful perform
ances on the trapez. But when he
awoke to realizing sense of his rapid
descent he grasped tie ropes frmly.aud
standing upon the trapez, nerved HIM
self for the dangers he knew he must
meet. He passed within few feet OF
the roof Of Perrin's Bank building, cor
ner OF Main and Sixth, and could have
aliphted, but he saw before him Dodds
ward, toward which the balloon was
going, and where it would have let him
down in safety, but for the telegraph
wires. They caught the poor fellow
under the chin, cutting a deep cash.
He grasped at them but was torn vio
lently away and dashed 10 pavement
below. 1t was a frightful fall. Near
" two thousand people witnessed the
spectacle. The body fell with a dull
thuG upon the face. There was mo-
ment of writhing agony, in which he
turned over on his back and beat his
breast with his hands. lie then seems
TO have lost all consciousness for live or
ten minutes. but as they were placing
him in carriage he said BE care
full
The carriage, which was an open one
was drawn rapidly down Main street
and around the the square to DR.. Click )
Office. Poor Short was exposed to view
in the carriage and was seen by the
crowds as he was driven along. Two
or three men ran ahead of the convey
ance calling loudly upon the people to
clear the streets. \ surging multitude
followed and the streets were literally
packed for squares about the doctors
office. After an examination Mr.. Short
was carried in his home on Ferry street
where his right limb was ampuiated
above the knee and his wounds more
carefully dressed. The other leg,whlch
was also broken, was carefully set. lie
is still alive, bat suffers intense pain
Lay}ayeHe (Md) Courier, Juty 5.