The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1891-01-17

Herr VOLTS Thrilling Experience
on Stormy Day.

'S6uoS nou Ooe ~ TIC mOSt lTJgutIu
experiences recorded IN the annals Of bal
loon travel. He dreaded making the voy
age at ell on such day, but as an al,
sailor, like his brother at sea, makes
money only while on his ship, he decided
% take the risk.
AT s o'clock in the afternoon the bal
loon was ready. The weather was worse
and my courage WAS ebbing fast l
would gladly have given my pay twice
over to have remained on solid ground,
but my reputation was dear to me, and
dared not face the jeers and insults OF the
vast crowd assembled to see me on. Two
gentlemen. Herr s. and Herr D.,
from Cologne, were to accompany me.
"At half past gave the signal Los"
and eur ascent began iavorabiy. Our
course was southwest to northeast, and in
one minute we had risen 5000 feet. The
temperature was cool. Behind US lay
Cologne in thick fog and gathering
thunderstorm. Our 'Stollwerck" scared
continuity higher in fog that grew every
moment more dense. The aneroid ba-
rometer showed height of eight thous
and feet. The basket swung like pen
dulum.
A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE.
"At last l spied clearing on the
mountain side. which seemed our best
chance for aightiDg. pulled the check.
dropped anchor, and we sank gently
toward the ground. The violent wind
Knocked US about tor time, but fortu-
nateIy the anchor held. We had been
seed, and people were hurrying to the
spot. The strength Of eight men was
barely enough to hold my struggling,
pitching ship long enough for my com
panions, S. AMI D., to clamber OUT.
$50 far all was we'll. Then, without u
moments warning, violent gust, like
whirlwird, broke over US; I'VE were tossed
wildly to and fro, but by straining every
muscle managed to hold down the 'Stoll-
verck.' Still in the balloon, threw out
rope, and with great difficulty tied it to
tree. Then came violent wrench, and
i lCll ONCA OdSh al " III AuO CoShCl. AAS
bprang to my geei found myself soaring
cloud high once more, and to my horror
TWO men were clnging to the outer edge
of the basket!
III seized upon one and tried with all
my strength to pull him IN. He was a
peasant of the neighbOrhood, good
hearted, sturdy young fellow, who had
worked with u will to quiet the wild
plunging OF the 'StollWerck,' as sue
dragged at her anchor down in the clear
ing. But it was OF no avail; my arms
were as weak rs a woman's, and the poor
fellows strength was spent. With wild,
despairing look straight in my eyes he
let go, and l heard lis body strike upon
The ground with horrible distinctness.
My heart stood still, my head swan,
ana should have sunk down Indifferent
10 my fate had it not been for the cries
of poor s., my companion, clinging
10 the other side of the railing. l trled
10 rescue my friend from his frightful
position, but alone l could not drag him
over the edge of the basket, and he was
powerless 10 help himself.
HANGING IN THE AIR.
sit was an awful moment. Already
the clouds began to float below us; we
must have been at least 5000 feet high !;
! leaned out SO far that 1t seemed every
instant as ii must lose my balance, and
seized SIS coat with my teeth. |
managed to grasp rope, with which l
hoped 10 tie him fast. Those minutes,
not knowing whether | would succeed or
,,Of mara / an 2,forpifr
lat last the rope slipped under his
arms. l drew it taught, and to my mex
pressible relief it held; but the danger
WAS postponed for few brief moments
only. Ii s. lost Consciousness he
would be sure to drop in spite of the
rope.
1T was life or death to the poor wretch,
according as our descent was rapid or
slow. pulled the check and we sank
noticeably, but alas! into the thick of
thunder cloud. The balloon spun around
like top. 1t hailed, Numbered and
lightened, as if he'll had broken loose.
We swung to and fro with frightful vlo-
lence. / fell on my face with roaring
10 my ears like the screams OF thousand
angry tends. But dared not give way.
So called frantically, hold on,
for Gods sakeP
"'It's all over with me-the rope is
slipping my poor friend gasped in reply.
"'Pull yourself together IN Il moment
more We will touch ground l screamed
hoarsey.
but the nearer we came to earth the
more wildly we pitched to and fro.
"'Don't let go the first moment YOU
touch the ground or we are both lost l
cried to s.
1--WE skinned over house and barn
cracking, swapping, jerking. A rent
5awned above my head. We flew onward :,
swift as feather before the wind.
"'Let go, s." painted; 'let 90,
and jump tor your live-to one side,
from the anchor.
ALL HANDS SAVED.
mot moment too soon he obevt d
me. The balloon, lighter by 100 poun' 8,
swept me up again To the clouds. Vita
ail my remaining strength laid hold of
the check, not letting go till the anchor
caught in tree.
"A seconds pause only, and the giant
tree was jerked up by the roots. With
the force of the wrench the basket was
so turned that l hung head downward
The anchor gripped second tree; again
a moments rest, and that tree was also
torn from its bed. Knocked about like a
ball, l at last took my fate into my own
hands. jumped into the top of an oak
and slid through its branches down to
the blessed ground.