Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-10-18
HIS LAST ASCENSION.

perilous drop from the clouds with a
parachute, was performed as adver'
tised. The acronaut, Prof. George
Rice, appeared somewhat despon-
dent, as if some impending calamity
were about to happen and could not
be averted. He did not like the idea
of making an ascension on account
of the bitter cold wind that was
blowing, but he finally made up his
mind to accept the inevitable,
remarking that he was afraid of the
Ohio river, but as this would make
his one hundredth ascension, he
would not disappoint the people.
About 30 p. m. all was ready,
and the monster balloon was turned
loose and rose rapidly. The giant
air ship with the parachute attached,
and Rice hanging to the bar of the
trape re, made very pretty and awe
inspiring sight, as it sailed grace
fully through illimitable space.
When about 5000 feet high the
balloon began to descend. Rice
quickly grasped the bar of the para
chute and made the fatal leap. The
string, which tied the parachute to
the balloon, refused to break at first
and this was the cause of the
aeronraut's death. When about -
900 feet from earth, the string part
ed and Rice, seeing that be was go
ing to fall near the middle OF the
Ohio, commenced making long
swings towards the Kentucky shore.
He succeeded IN bringing the
parachute to within a huBdfed yards
Of the shore, when he let loose and
fell into the water. The parachute
fell about thirty feet from him and
he Immediately swan to IL and en-
deayored to tow it ashore. This act
cost the daring aeronaut his life, as he
became entangled in the ropes,aud af-
ter several desperate and Intellectual
attemps TO extricate himself, he
sank to rise no more, taking the
parachute under with him. several
skifis put out from our city as soon
as il became evident that the un-
fortunate aerenaut was TO fall in the
river, but they did not arrive ~ time
to save him from a watery death |
Work was commenced to recover
the body, and at about o'clock il |
was found, with one of the ropes of
the parachute wound around his
neck and down around his legs and |
in his endeavors to free himself he
was drawn almost double. The
remains were brought to this city
and taken to Weisinger's undertake
ers shop and prepared for shipment.
The coroner held an inquest on
Tuesday and rendered verdict of
accidental drowning. Prof. George
Rice was a native the State of Mich
igan, and leaves a wife at, Alma that
State. He was employed by Nc
Evan a balloon manufacturer Of
J Jackson Michigan, to make ascensions
He was held responsible for the loss
of all property, and this is what led
to his death, as he could have cas- lily
reached the shore had he let the para
chute 90. We are infor med that
Mr.. Rice was model young man,
had no bad habits and was well
liked by every one connected with
the show,
Much surprise was manifested by
The circus men when they were in
formed of the drowning of Rice,
and some of them would not believe
t Mt first, such were their confidence
in his power to take care of himself.
Much blame has been given his
assistant, Reddy," who was in a
'kiff within a short distance from ,
where the parachute came down,
md could easily had he been so ;
disposed, have rescued the unfortu-
nate balloonist. Several threats
we're made and it is believed that ::
he show people would have
vreaked dire vengeance upon him
rad he given them an opportunity.
But " Reddy" did not return to the
,ity, but pulled for the Kent ucky
shore and took to the woods, since
which time he has not been seen.
The affair cast a shadow of deep {
gloom over the actors at the night :,
performance. They could not
Muse any spirit into their work, the
audience soon caught the infection