The record-union., 1891-11-23
NOT ON THE BILLS.
Exciting Scene at the Balloon Ascen-
sion Yesterday.
The Aeronaut's Assistant Carried Up
ward Some Thirty Feet-A Mar
row Escape From Death.

Probably 5000 persons congregated at
Twenty-eighth and NJ yesterday after
uoon to witness the balloon ascension
Hagal, the aeronaut. The delightful
weather had something to do. no doubt,
with the large attendance, as almost the
entire population of the city appeared to
be abroad enjoying it.
But one person was advertised to ac-
company the balloon, although there
We're two parachutes attached to it. Con-
siderable surprise was manifested, there
fore, when the great air-ship shot upward
with two men.
This surprise was turned to a feeling of
horror, however, when one of them was
seen coming down, with his arms and
legs swinging in the air, while the bal
loon continued its flight with the other
man.
The young man who descended with
out the aid of parachute was John
Porter, who had been employed by Hagal
to assist him in getting the balloon ready
for its aerial trip. He was standing
astride of the ropes at the mouth of the
balloon, ready to shut off the heated air
| from the brick furnace at the aeronaut s
signal
Hagal was at the end of the last para
chute, both of which were strung out
upon the ground, and when all was in
readiness he gave the signal to let go.
The crowd had gathered close about the
balloon, and so many persons were talk
ing that Porter did not hear his chiefs
signal, and when the balloon shot up
ward it took him along with it.
The people were horror-sticken as soon
as they realized that man had been caught
In the ropes, and when he began to de-
| scend from hight of thirty feet or so it
was supposed he would be dashed to
death. Porter stuck the ground on his
LETT hip and side, missing the brick fire.
place but few feet When picked up
blood was flowing from his mouth, but
he was able to stand, and manifested as
much interest as any of those present in
Hagal's flight and descent, although he
complained of pain in his thigh.
The blood which flowed from his
mouth was found to proceed from his
tongue, which was penetrated by some of
his teeth when he struck the ground.
The injured youth walked to Scheld's
brewery, where J. II. Judge, an assistant
to Dr.. White at the County Hospital.
made All examination of his hip and
found it to be dislocated. He promptly
| and skillfully reset the bone in its socket,
and Porter declared himself to be all
right.
The ascension by Hagal was a perfect
success. He went up some two thousand
feet, the balloon sailing off in a south
easterly direction, toward Oak Park.
The descent was very fine one. The
| lower parachute was the first to initiate,
and when the upper one spread out it
| materially checked his speed toward the
earth, SO much SO that the balloon had
| time to turn over and descend to the
| ground before he got there.
The landing was made about quarter
of mile from the point of ascension, and
without accident.
| There was just enough of the sensa-
tional connected with the affair to enthuse
| the crowd. Accidents of the kind that
| occurred to Porter are occasionally read
of, but this was the first that ever oc-
Cured here.
Hagal will make another ascension
during the races on Thanksgiving Day,
but Porter declares he will not repeat
his act OF yesterday.