The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-05
BALLOON ASCENSION.
Professor King with the Buffalo, on Voyage
from Philadelphia TO the West
SUCCESS .SFUL START.
Pigeon Reports from the Aerial Travel
lers-Rapid Flight in the Clouds.
PHILADELPHIA, August 1, 1876.

PHILADELPHIA, August 4, 1876
AT sixteen minutes 70 i've this afternoon Professor
Samuel A. KING, Of Boston, started from the Cen,en-
NAL grounds in his balloon, the Buffalo, the largest in
America. accompanied by seven gentlemen and lady.
The ascension mas most successful and the
turesorae party entered upon their hazardous trip
under the favorable auspices. Professor Kings
object in tins voyage Is 10 make long skyward trip
possible and to sail west to the Rocky Mountains If
he can control his balloon At about eleven O'Clock
this morning the imitation Of tho ar-shp began in the
open space on the Exhibition grounds the Catho
lie fountain, to the northwest of Machinery Hall
At about hafpast ave 900 cubic cet OF gas, which
the balloon requires tor perfect initiation, was OBJ
tanned. A large crowd had gathered at every point
where view OF the balloon could be had, and 1t is
probable that the ascension witnessed by so 900
people.
Five carrier pigeons--we trained Antwerp carriers
were taken. \ large bundle OF NEw York IiERALDs
and Daily Graphics along for distribution
the route, where the New York dnilies will proba
bly, fall from the clouds like the mamma of old.
AT sixteen minutes to Eve the party stepped into the
basket, and farewells and last messages
changed. Professor King accompanied by his
daughter. Mrs. Susan E. Nelson; Dr. Austin, corrr-
spondent OF the London Times; Frank H. Taylor artist
OF the New York Grapa,c; William Ford, Of the phia-
delpha Times A. Jonas, of the Philadelphia Item
-
l.. Saunders, OF the Southern press, and Charles
Mccormick, Professor Kings assistant. When the
word ''i.ct go" given and the dozens OF strong
bands which were holding the cables slackcnod the
Bula,o majostically and gracefully into the air
There was perceptbie wiEd and the balloon
very slowly and steadily, ut an acute angle from the
earth, drifting In northwestcrly direction, directly
over the observatory on Georges Hill. When height
about 600 800 ;cet had bceE reached balloon
evidently no higher and sailed away at about this
elevation
A REPORT BY PIGEON
fha fOrr AMY urrip piu viii pro.
fcssor Kings balloon two have arrived back in this
city. The first let loose Immediately upon the
start, not bearing any dispatches. but merely
signal to notify the owner of the pigeons that the
the arrival of the other birds. This bird reached
Potter Kershaw's Washington HOtcl, Twenty third
street, near Spring Garden at about ten min utes to
five AT precisely u quarter to six the second bird
arrived the bearer OF dispatches which showed II 10
have come from beyond Elm Station, on the Pennsy
vania Railroad, nearly SIX mi'es away, in eleven
minutes Tho despatch to the HkRALD's Philadelphia
oilico follOws-
CLoUpLANp s. 80 r. VI.
rsilroad The view OF the country below us is surprisingly
rs m he s IKE y
houses in beautiful miniature landscape the effect OF
ware wars ne sshSy Go s arc tiny
threads Of silver and. like other distant objects on
sether. We can still hear Voices from beow. but
900 fee. high tina, the lower Clouds just
our heads and that We look below and command
and following the line OF the rennsyivanis Railroad
nn high
landscape n" longer visible We are all in good spirits
We are just sting to luncheon Dr. AUSTIN OF the London
Times wanting TO know whore the American eagle Is
DESPATCH.
A despatch dated iorty-nve minutes D asst six Y. NJ
says:-"Ballo0n down near King Of Prussia, four miles
northwest of Morr'stown. All we'll Second pigeon
just started We are wanting for tin CUP, and will
then return TO tho clouds, unless we como
good hotel"