Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1876-06-29
A BALLOON IN FLAMES.
IL Takes Fire Two Thousand Feet in Air.
[FrOm the New York Times ]

HONDA, United States of Colombia
| South America, Tuesday, Mays, 1876
We have just witnessed terrible scene
a balloon ascension, with tragical results.
The grand ''Aerial ascension-Jimnastico ,"
was advertised 20 take place at 7 o'clock on
the morning of the 9Th of May. Cards OF
invitation were sent to all the leading citizens,
and in this little town, of few diversions, q
gieat excitement was created. Sunday after
noon an oven was built in the center of the
plaza for the purpose of heating the air by
which the balloon was to ascend, and all the
preparations were watched by the people
with great deal of curiosity. There were
perhaps 1000 persons on the plaza. The bal
loon, a very large one, was inflated rapidly
and successfully, and soon the ;eronaut ap-
peared, brilliant in scarlet, and gold and sill
yer spangles, carrying in his hand the Colon
bian flag. The ropes were loosened, and the
balloon shot up like an arrow, and the shouts
of the enthusiastic multitude, the blowing Of
horns, and the beating OF drums, the @ranaut
meanwhile turning on the trapeZe and per-
forming various gymnastc feats. 1t was q
beautiful ascension. In less than minute
he must have been at a height of 1900 feet,
when the balloon apparently became station
ary. He then threw out the flag. We could
scarcely distinguish whether it was the flag
seen issuing from the side of the balloon, and
the unfortunate eronaut had lowered rope
and was climbing to the end below. "Esta
quemando-it is burning" some one shouted
and the people suddenly became as madmen,
running and screaming, weeping, and tearing
their hair. The gentleman standing next to
me tried to quiet them by shouting, 1t is not
burning, it is false, brute-animal it is only
the gas escaping" but soon the flames burst
from the top, and peices Of the cloth began
to float downward, the balloon descending
slowly at first, then rapidly, until all hope
was over, unless he touched. the top of the
mountain, which is about one thousand feet
above the town. The spectators rushed in
the direction in which the balloon was sup
posed to be coming. In Ave minutes the
plaza was entirely deserted, with the single
exception of one poor lunatic, who began
marching round aud round the oven that had
furnished the fatal spark, chanting requiem
mass. at intervalc kneeling, and crossing him
self all the time. It was pitiful to see
him.
In about an hour the crowd came slowly
back with the poor @ronaut, still breathing,
but insensible, with broken leg and inter-
nal injuries. He was seen by a man IN
field to pass directly over the cross of the
chapel in the cemetery. almost within reach
of it, across the valley Of the Quebranda
SEGA, finally touching the ground half way
up the mountain on the opposite side, per-
haps mile and half from the point OF
starting. He must have retained his senses
to the very last. AS he came to the ground
he cried 'sPor Dios," and struck on his feet,
still clinging to the rope. The ignorant man
who saw him, having heard nothing of the
balloon ascesion, thought he had come di-
rectly from heaven, and was frightened and
ran away as fast as possible, but meeting
those in search of him turned and conducted
them to the spot. The unfortunate man lived
but few hours, and was buried at 5 p. m.
the same day.