The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1876-06-15
A Balloon In Flames-The AerOnaut
Killed.

Wehave just witnessed terrible scene
a balloon ascension, with tragical results.
The grand "Aerial ascension-Jimnas-
tico" was advertised to take place al seven
O'Clock on the morning of the Sth of May.
Cards of invitation we're sent out to all the
leading citizens, and in this little town, of
few diversions, great excitement was
created. Sunday afternoon an oven was
built in the center of the plaza for the pur-
pose of heating the air by which the hal
loon was to ascend, and all the prepare
tions were watched by the people with
great deal of curiosity. There were per-
haps 1900 persons in the plaza. The bal
loon, a very large one, was inflated rapidly
and successfully, and soon the aeronaut
appeared, brilliant in scarlet and gold and
silver spangles, carrying in his hands the
Colombian flag. The ropes were lOosened,
and the balloon shot up like an arrow,
amid the shouts of the enthusiastic multi
tude, the blowing of horns, and the beat
ing of drums, the aerOnaut meanwhile
turning on the trapeze, and performing
various gymnastic feats. It was beauti
full ascension. In less than minute he
must have been at the height Of 1900 feet,
when the balloon apparently became sta
tionary. He then threw out the flag. We
could scarcely distinguish whether it was
the flag or the man himself; but the next
second smoke was seen issuing from the
side of the balloon, and the unfortunate
aeronaut had lowered a rope and was
clinging to the end below. "Esta que
n,ando-it is burning some one shouted,
and the people suddenly became as mad
men, running and screaming, weeping
and tearing their hair. The gentle
man standing next to me tried to
quiet them by shouting: 1t is not burn
ing; it is false, brute, animal, it is only
the gas escaping" but soon the flames
burst from the top, and pieces of the cloth
began to float downward, the balloon de-
scenaing slowly at first, then rapidly, un-
til all hope was over, unless he should
touch the top of the mountain, which is
about 1000 feet above the town. The
spectators rushed in the direction in which
the balloon was supposed to be coming.
In five minutes the plaza was entirely de-
serted, with the single exception of one
poor lunatic, who began marching round
and round the oven that had furnished
the fatal spark, chanting a requiem mass,
at intervals kneeling, and crossing him
self, smiling all the while. 1t was pitiful
to see him.
In about an hour the crowd came slow
ly back with the poor aeronaut, still
breathing but insensible, with broken
leg and internal injuries. He was seen
by a man in field to pass directly over
the cross of the chapel in the cemetery, al
most within reach of it, across the Valley
of the Quebrada SEGA, finally touching
the ground half way up the mountain on
the opposite side, perhaps a mile and q
half from point of starting. He must
have retained his senses to the very last.
As he came to the ground he cried " Por
Dios" and struck on his feet, still cling
ing to the rope. The ignorant man who
saw him, having heard nothing of the
balloon ascension, thought he had come
directly from heaven and was frightened,
and ran away as fast as possible, but
meeting those in search of him turned
and conducted them 10 the spot. The un-
fortunate man lived but few hours, and
was buried at five p. m. the same day
Honda (Colombia) Cor. N. Y. Times.