The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-08-07
A Remarkable Balloon Voyage.

There is at present being commem.
Grated at Guines u remarkable balloon
voyage of century ago. when two
aeronauts, Blanchard, Frenchman,
and Dr. Jeffries, an American, descend
ed in the midst of the ncighboring for
est, after having been borne across the
1884 it was the desire of French bal
loonists to achieve the first passage from
England to France. Blanchard betook
himself to the English coast, where his
plans were warmly entertained. While
there he met Lunardi and DIR. Jeflries,
physician, and native of Boston,
United States. They proceeded to
Dover, and awaited a favorable breeze.
A start was at last effected from the
castle, amid the firing of artillery.
Blanchard did his utmost to get away
alone, but Jeffries held firmly to the
agreement, which had been signed and
sealed. BY this agreement Jeilries
provided all the funds requisite for in
surfing the ascent contemplated, Sc
cured in consideration of these q seat
in the car, and bound himself, on his
word of honor rs gentleman and an
officer, to Jump out OF the car the mo-
ment his further presence and weight
should jcopardize the success of the
expedition and imperil Blanchard's
life. Shortly after p. m. the balloon
rose, and drifted seward amid the en-
thusiasm of the inhabitants and to the
dismay of Mrs. Jefl'ries and her child
rem. The poor woman had in vain
tried to retain her husband, who, more
over, had been advised in letter from
the prince of Wales not to attempt the
crossing. The travellers soon found
themselves drifting toward the Good
win sands. They found when in
mid-channel that the balloon, the total
weight of which. including the aero
nauts, ballast, and accoutrements, had
been at the start nine hundred pounds,
was gradually settling into lower cur
rents. The sand-bags were emptied
till at last everything available had
been cast from the car, even the rud-
der and sails. The advantage gained
was momentary one. The question
what should be dispensed with next
must have caused Jeffries to shudder.
A respite was granted by the election
of the anchor and provisions; and, rs
a final effort, of such garments rs were
not absolutely necessary. The last
sacrifice caused quick ascent, and
brought the balloon to the neighbour
hood of Guines, and over the forest.
The loss of the anchor made the men
DESTROYS of landing without delay; so
they managed to grapple some of the
uppermost branches, and lowered them
selves into the dense wood. The de-
scent, not an easy one. took place q
little over two hours after the start,
when Blanchard and Jefi'ries, once
more on terra iirma, hung on each
others necks. They were conveyed to
Guines and thence TO Calais in great
triumph. Every hoEor, even the free
dom Of the city, was conferred on the
Frenchman, and the two travellers
were thenceforward considered heroes.
The king of France babe the men OF
the hour repair To his court Blanch-
ard was greatly admired for his feat.
insomuch that in every gathering he
was kissed by all the ladies of the COM
pany. He was materially rewarded by
his majesty, who made him a yearly
grant. Tie latter portion OF Blanch-
ards career was passed in New York,
Germany, Holland, and other states,
where he made many ascents. He met
his end through falling from balloon.
and died, after lingering some weeks.
in the early part OF 1908. Mime.
Blanchard, his second wife, was q Gel
ebrated aeronaut, and met her death
in like manner one night by losing
her hold of an illuminated balloon
while in the act of discharging fire.
works. st. James's gazette.