The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-24
UP In A BALLOON.

THREE Accents YESTERDAY OUTSIDE THE Elk
HrBITIoN GROUNDS BY MR. LEO sCHEPP-
WHAT A HERALD CORRESPONDENT SAW
TRIP PROM PHILADELPHIA TO NEW YORK on
TUESDAY.
PHILADELPHIA, June 3D. 1876.
The sensation Of tho day at the Exhibition grounds
was the successful trial ascension Of new mammoth
balloon. under the auspices Of Mr.. Leo Schepp,
wealthy New York public spirited business man, whe
had the air ship built ut his expense, not for the
purpose or money making, the ascension being FREQ
to the public, but from desire 10 contribute 10 the
general amusement and to aid in contributing 70
aeronautc science by series OF experiments in navt
eating the arr with view OF testing the praccabihsy
OF trips between Philadelphia and New York by bal
loon. The air ship built In philadelphia by Pro-
Icssor John WISE and has been completed In the short
space Of three weeks. 1t Is made OF the best drilling
extra strong cords and has had two watts OF oil The
capacity otho balloon about 600 cubic feet of gas
IL being about eighty feet high when fully nhatcd anc
twenty-six feet diameter An open space OF ground
directly opposite the principal entrance TO the Exnsb
ton grounds secured immediately adjoining the
Globe Hotel, and at noon AN imitation begun
by means or n connection with the city gas mains
Owing 10 the large Of the balloon II nearly s1
O'Clock before the bag nlIed, by which timc thou
sands OF people had gathered about, blocking VI
the streets and requiring the aid Of the police to keel
room for the and attendants 10 perfect the
arrangements for an ascension Shortly after six al
was announced TO be In readiness. MT Charles Wise
o son the Professor HERALD correspondent ant
another gentleman stepped INFO the and The wore
Let gon was given stout line attached TO the con
centraing ring secured 10 windlass. Professor
Wise thnxing IL expedcnt 10 make free ascension
until tho balloon had been tested.
This first ascension was moi altogether success
the second, owing TO some acknowledgement,
snd the balloon was hauled In before very great
height was reached. The third ascension com
plcic success Upon this ascension John Wise, the
younger, lad Of fifteen, grandson OF the professor,
che rye, and he Enthusiastically showed himself
be the seronaut oil the family. The tour passengers
were young Wise, ex-Confederate Gepcral Cook, one
OF the survivors OF the Virginius massacre;
the representative OF Albany paper and the HERALD
correspondent All the rope was let out the balloon
reaching height Of 800 feet aud 50 ndescribaby en-
chanting the panoramic spread around and below
that all regretted the imposs bty OF going still
higher The ten3 OF thousands OF enthusiastic specta
the streets and Ia the Exhibition grounds, OH
tho tops Of the houses and hotels, apparently 20
many specka
ON one side the Centennial grounds and buildings
made beautiful picture almost nj our feet. while
beyond was the schuyklll, Ike silver thread wind
ing in graceful curves between green hills; beyone
were the valleys and hills slrctchlng miles away ~
toward the interior of the state: the other side wM
the Delaware beyond the hills OF New Jersey, and ms
Delaware Bay; . white haze the horizon showed
where the ocean lay. Tho whole picture was one Of
surprising beauty and impossible 70 describe within
the short limits OF telegraphc despatch
The balloon, having been satisfactorily tested, wal
lowered swaying and chatting. though impatient 70
be Tree.
If the weather is fair Mr. Wise will start Tor New
York in the air ship Oh Tuesday next John WISE, the
asccnsons alone. deserves the highest praise ior
his coolness, stcadinoss OF nerve and ability.