The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1883-07-06

Oh Denver, Hyrum Steadman, of
West Jordan, and Reed, member
Of the Athletic club. The first heat
was between McComb and Stead
man, the former winning, The
next heat was between McComb
and Reed, the latter winning by
about a yard.
THE ASCENSION.
The event Of the day, of course,
was the balloon ascension by Prof.
Van Tassell. 1t had been stationed
in Second Fast Street, at the juno
tion with Second South, where the
gas mains were tapped and the
balloon inflated. Large crowds
gathered about it all day, and it
was not until between 2 and 8
o'clock that it was taken to the
square. When everything was in
readiness and Mr.. Van Tassell and
the monkey were safely ensconced
inside. the balloon was released and
Immediately began it's ascent, going
up almost perpendicularly. The
first current Of air was towards the
east, and the balloon sailed in that
direction for a time, and gave every
indication of passing directly over
Fort Douglass, but it entered a diff
fereHt current, or the air shifted,
and the air ship travelled to the
northeast, and finally came down
in Red Butte Canyon safe and
sound.
Ono tom -, oorroo4;or x-,;+b ~
balloon ascension we desire to men,
ton in justice to the parties con-
cerned. 1t was generally under
stood that Mr.. Stone finally refused
to go with the balloon ON account of
lack of nerve at the last moment 4;
but the fact is the Professor found
it impossible to take him because of
heavy atmosphere at the time of
the ascension, and the condensation
OF the gas caused by the transport
tation of the balloon some three
blocks. Mr.. Stone would have gone
willingly but it was an impossible
ity under the circumstances, and
he being unable to realize 1t as the
experienced aeronaut did, was very
much annoyed, and for a while
was terribly excited about il.
He wishes it distinctly under
stood that he would have gone at
any risk if the balloon would have
carried him. The Professor was
very much bothered by the annoy
ance attendant upon Mr.. Stones
determination to hang to the car,
bat he maintained his GOODNESS and
went up like king Of the air.
The entire ballast was but about
forty pounds and much of that had
to be thrown outimmediately to get
to safe elevation, so that there
can be no question as to the correct
ness of the Professors judgement,
The barometer just before reach
ing Fort Douglas indicated some.
thing between 1880 and 1900
feet, and then he descended very
rapidly to avoid the trip over the
over the Wasatch mountains and a
weary return. He went as far as
the people Of Salt Lake City could
see him and made a very successful
descent in Red Butte Canyon. Van
Tassell, the monkey, and the bal
loon came down without a scratch.
General McCoOk very kindly al
lowed two mounted soldiers to 20
to the aid of the aeronaut, and
several citizens on horseback rem
dered all possible assistance.
Mr.. AlonZo Taysum reached the
scene early, and brought Jack"
back TO his home, where the mon
key rolled and frollicked to his
hearts content, glad to be back safe.
His face and gestures indicated
desire TO communicate all the de-
tails of the trip, and it was hours
before he could regain his compo-
sure.
Upon learning of the whereabouts
of the balloon, General McCook sent
out a wagon, and the air-ship was
brought to town uninjured.
Everything. pertaining to the
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