The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-10-10
4 BallOOnist Injured.

Inc promised DdllOU race UeINSSH |
Gilbert and Miss Thiers drew a good many
people to the grounds this after
noon. The initiation of the aerial ships
began last night and was finished early
this forenoon, and for hours the crowd |
clustered curiously about and commented |
upon those likely to risk their necks by |
a voyage in mid d-air. All day the wind
blew in strong but ftful gusts, and Gill |
bert's friends urged him not to attempt an
ascension. Quite early the Professor
peremptoriy refused to let Miss Thiers
start, and as the afternoon waned and the
crowd began to show impatience, he finally
resolved to cut loose by himself, using the
smaller balloon, and declining the COM
pany of Will G. Nichols, of the Journal,
who had been chosen from among num-
ber of volunteers. This balloon had been
anchored close under the shelter cf the
Exposition building, and as Gilbert enter
ed the basket and was arranging his ballast
hundred willing hands held the ropes
The balloon when tested showed good
sensitive power, sufficient as was thought
to carry her up, but, to make sure, Gilbert
undertook to decrease the amount of ballast
that had been put in the basket. While
at this work, and before he was ready, a
gust of wind swept over the building,
pressed the balloon down, and then lifted
it with a powerful sweep, that carried part
of the crowd off their feet and caused them
to let go. Gilbert yelled for all to clear
the ropes, but they held too long, and as
the balloon raised above the roof of the
building another gust carried it direct
and with great violence, against a tree
standing one hundred feet away, the baske
circulating round the tree like whip lash
while the cordage swept through the bran
t ches with terrible crash
The danger was eminent, and thousand
expected to see Gilbert dashed to pieces
but, with great GOODNESS, he threw himsel
y outside the basket, still clinging to tn
ropes, and, as the balloon remained motion
less perhaps second, he clam bered bac
and attempted to throw out the drag rope
Before this could be accomplished, anothe
" and still more violent gust of wind sweI
o through the tree, breaking two of the rope
" and dislodging the balloon. A cheer swel
II up as she sailed clear, but this instantl
IL changed to a howl of dismay, when it WI
J. seen that the erial ship was heading direc
10 ly for one of the tallest trees upon tt
le ground, which it struck some seventy fe,
y up, breaking two branches nearly as larl
~ as a mans body. The ends of these di
;" severed limbs caught in the cloth, an
70 with q ripping sound that was distinct
1g heard, the bottom was split in twain al
en- fell with the swiftness of thought towa
~ the ground in slanting direction.
IN When the second collision came, Gi
Ill bert again threw himself outside the ba
r. ket and when within some thirty feet
Tn the ground, he let go and jumped for sa
ng ty. The distance was greater than
G. calculated upon, and the collision with t
IN ground rendered him unconscious for Sc
OF eral minutes. The balloon with its hea
ballast fell close at hand.
Is After his removal to the hotel do,
ny town, Gilbert was found to have sustain
a fracture of the left knee besides he v
: - severely cut and bruised by his experier
~ in the tree tops. He also suffered interl
= :. injuries, but of minor nature, and I
doctors think with care, he will reco'
within three months The fracture is
serious one to heal. 1t will, howey
cipple Kim, for the knee joint will be S
for life.
Your reporter called tonight and fol-
him somewhat respondent over the futl
but still thankful that the injuries are
worse. Although under she influence
opiates, he suffered intensely, and he
could talk but briefly of his danger
trip--the most dangerous that be has
experienced as an eronaut. The attemI
ascension was q perilous experiment,
from hints dropped by him it is belle
he would not have attempted it, had
members of the State Board stung hin
4. hints as to how soon he would start,
Aas such like questions, meaning more by
inuendo than they cared to express.
to-night he was resting quietly. Itapp
] be that Miss Theirs is determined upon
ascension in the larger balloon, wind O
wind, and Professor Bellman has
volunteered to carry out Mr.. Gill
LID. engagements.-En Enquirer, Oct. An.