Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-02-26
UP In A BALLOON.
EXCITING ACCOUNTS OF ADVENT
uRES IN ClOUDlANO.

uRES IN CLOUDLAND.
The Oldest Living AeroDaut Relates Some
of His Experiences Falling Iuto the
bay from Storm Tossed BaIioon-A
Battle with Housetops.
George Elliott was born on the Franklin
road, about three mile. from the city limits
OF Baltimore, in which city he Is passing his
old age, He is now 81 years old. Professor
Elliott was at an early age apprenticed to the
shoe trade. After the completion of his ap-
premiership he began business on Baltimore
street In the spring of 1884 the town was
Hooded with posters, stating that Professor
Mills, famous balloonist, would give ex-
hibitions OF his skill and daring from
Federal Hill lot Elliott, becoming great
ly interested in these ascensions, made
the acquaintance of Professor Mills and
secured from him the promise of an as
cension as soon as he should return from
Philadelphia Professor Mills ascension at
Philadelphia, however, was unsuccessful
His balloon became unmanageable, and. find
ing himself drifting seward, with both night
and storm coming on, made perilous
jump into the top of grove of pine trees,
abandoning his balloon and severely injuring
himself.
Young Elliott had by this time become
thoroughly enthused upon the subject, and
nothing but a trial would satisfy him
Everybody laughed at the idea of plain
George Elliott, whom they all knew so well,
going up IN balloon. Nothing daunted,
however, he succeeded in saving sufficient
money to buy the materials and made hand
some balloon.
THEY WIRE PICKLED
Professor Elliott, In speaking of his adven-
lures, said: Il made my first ascension ON
Aug D, 1884, the twenty-ninth anniversary Of
my birth | took with me as companion a
little son of Mr. Redman, proprietor of a sa-
loon on Pratt street After being in the air
for about half hour we were overtaken by
terrible storm, and came near losing our
lives. was afterward told by the spectators
that it was an awful sight to see the balloon
tossed hither and thither among the black
clouds, with the lightning playing about it as
though 1t offered some terrible fascination
for that destructive fluid. The mother of the
boy who was with me tainted at the sight
and was thought to be dead. The storm quiet
ing, we sailed toward the bay
when Off Hawkins point the valve he
came disarranged, and We were precipitated
coming up the river with an excursion party
from Annapolis Those on board sighted us
while we were still in midair, and when they
saw us falling a panic prevailed on board.
The steamer was so near us that could see
the commoton on her, and to quiet it told the
ooy~ who maintained wonderful presence of
mind, TO wave his hat, which be did, amid
great cheering. We were taken on board the
steamer and congratulated One old lady,
putting her arms around my neck, said: The
Lord has preserved your Referring to our
briny bath, / replied: No, ma'am he has
picked US
Nothing OF interest happened on my sec
ond ascension, except that it was singular
coincidence that / should light in the same
cherry tree In Hartford county that Durand.
the first man to make an ascension from Bal
umore, landed the year previous. On my
third ascension landed at North Point By
this time was fascinated with tt 3 profession
which had adopted. 1t had raised me from
comparatively obscure shoemaker to the
height OF local fame. Everybody was talk
ing Of my exploits. Determining to seek
new fields, ] laft Baltimore for Charleston,
s. c.
LANDING IN THE BAY.
MY first ascension from Charleston was
made from Meeting street | was carried
ssaward over John and James islands, and
landed on Wadmelo island DR.. Angel. an
immensely wealthy planter, resided on Wad-
melo island amid almost oriental Injuries
he was highly pleased with my unexpected
visit. After spending the night at his house.
was taken back to Charleston by his race
boat, manned by twelve sturdy black men.
Ny second ascension wGs uneveutful On
my third, i reached the height of three and q
half or four miles, and was In the air about
one or three-quarters Of an hour, having
been unable to descend earlier on account OF
some difficulty in opening the valve Of the
balloon. When / descended IL was perfectly
dark, and elighted in the bay about ten or
twelve miles outside the bar, where / re-
manned for several hours supported by the
balloon, when q skif from pilot boat Cora,
Capt. Albert, came 10 my relief ] was
transferred from the Cora, in the vicinity Of
Sulivan's Island, TO the steamboat Etiwan,
Capt Sassard, which boat had been dispatched
% my assistance at late hour Of the night
After the events / continued nv tour TO
New Orleans, where made ascensions from
a part OF town called Lafayette. NV first
trip occupied three hours, and landed on the
where Gen. jackson, with his
Kentucky and Mississippi rifemen, defeated
N~~%- e@~A-AoAAAs "ASI E6rul8rS,
In 1915.
A DANGEROUS RIDE.
my second ascension, which was the most
unfortunate have ever had was made from
the state house yard The ascension, accord
ing to advertisement, was to be made at Al
m but at midday the wind began to blow
from the east, and as it appeared to be on the |
determined to start as soon Us Dos
sible. DR.. Stillwell, wealthy merchant, |
had engaged passage; but, Che weather look |
ing SO bad, refused to take him, much to
that gentemans disgust. Making all ready, / |
jumped into the car and, watching nv chance.
when the ballon reached It's perpendicular.
gave the word to let 60. A slight delay oc-
CURED before executing the order, and q
heavy taw OF wind struck the balloon lust as
he bounded from the earth. Before / had
.lrne to think the car Of the balloon collided
With the tall chimney on the state house,
knocking about ten feet Of it down and bruis-
ng me considerably. Fifteen bricks fell In
he car, the weight Of which was not sufH-
'ient to bring the balloon to the ground, yet
was too great to permit 1t to rise higher in
he air. Consequently, under the influence
II the wind, which was on the increase. the
balloon went careening Just few fest above
he housetops
with frantic energy ! began throwing
bricks, sand bags and everything could out
y the cur. While thus engaged / kept
harp lookout. Presently / saw that q col
ls'on with the dormer window of the Bank
'f louisiana was unavoidable, and prepared
myself for 1t by crouching down in the car.
The balloon escaped it, but the car, from the
1t had gained, was thrown clear
through the window, smashing the sash, and
hen as violently jerked out again. The
'hock OF the collision broke my thigh, and
rendered me senseless. The balloon continued
u flight until caught in the rigging of
Dutch ship which was lying alongside the
kiop r-Raltiuaora AruaricoY