Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-06-09
Seven Miles Up In the Air.

ONthe fifth day of September, 1862, two
English eronauts, Glaisher and Coxwell
by name, made one of the most remark
able asccuis recorded in the history Of
ballooniug " started from Wolver.
hampton, En- nd, aHa the elevation
reached was II highest ever attained by
man--nearly or quite seven miles above
the earth.
Mr.. Glaisher has given a modest yet
thrilling account Of this almost fatal ad-
venture. The balloon left the earth at
three minutes past one p. IN. Nothing
important occurred until the party, at for
ty minutes past one, reached the altitude
of four miles from the earth. Discharg-
ing sand, they rose to the height of five
miles during the next ten minues. More
sand was discharged, and the balloon
shot rapidly Soon Mr.. Glaisher's
sight failed, and he could not read the
fine divisions on his instruments. All the
time the balloon had been spinning round
and round, and the valve-line had become
so entangled that Mr.. Coxwell had to
climb into the ring above the car to adj
just it.
At this moment Zone O'Clock and fifty
| four minutes) Mr.. Glaisher looked at the
barometer and found its reading to be
nine and quarters inches, implying
a height of over %, 600 feet. Wishing To-
record the observation, he found his right
arm powerless. He tried to move the
other arm and found it powerless too.
"Then l tried TO shake myself and
succeeded, but seemed to have no limbs.
| On looking at the barometer, my head
fell over my left shoulder; struggled and
shook my body again, but could not move
my arms. Getting my head upright for
i fal rtrhf
Ihoulder; then | fell backward, my back
sesting upon the side of the car and my
head on it's edge. In this position my
eyes were directed to Mr.. Coxwell in the
ring. When / shook my body l seemed
TO have full power over the muscles of the
back, and considerably so over those of
the neck, but none over either my arms or
my legs. AS in the case of the arms, so
all muscular power was lost in an instant
| from my back and neck ] dimly saw
Mr.. Coxwell, and endeavored to speak,
| but could not. In an instant intense dark
ness overcame me, but | was still con-
scious, with as active brain as at the
present moment whilst writing this. |
thought had been seized with asphyXia,
and believed l should experience nothing
more, as death would come unless we de-
scended speedily; other thoughts were en-
tering my mind, when ! suddenly became
unconscious as on going to sleep"
Meanwhile, Mr.. CoXwell was in quite
as critical condition. Hoar-frost was all
around the neck of the balloon, and the
ring was piercingly cold. He attempted
TO leave the ring, and found that his hands
were frozen. He dropped to the car
almost insensible, and discovered that his
companion was apparently dead. He
tried to go TO him, but could not. He
wished to open the valve, but his hands
were frozen and his arms poweriess
Feeling insensibility coming rapidly over
him, he made desperate effort, caught
the valve-line with his teeth. and held he
valve open until the balloon took decided
downward turn.
In Il few minutes Mr.. Glaisher began to
revive, and soon became conscious that
Mr.. Coxwell was trying 10 rouse him.
" / then heard him speak more emp phat-
ically, but could not see, speak nor move.
[ heard him again say: :" Do try; now
do Then the instruments became dimly
visible, then Mr.. Coxwell, and very shortly
I saw clearly. Mr.. Coxwell told me that
he had lost the Use of his hands which
we're black, and | poured brandy over
them"
What if Mr.. Coxwell had lost the use OF
his neck alsol
1t has been said that during the critical
moments when Mr. Glaisher was uncon-
scious and Mr. Coxwell nearly so, the bal
loon reached the fearful height of seven
miles.-Jdmes Richardson, an 50. Nicholas
| f0r ,IuDe