The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1892-09-17
THE FINAL DROP.

Their safety was due to such remark
able combination of accidents-if such they
may be called-that in an age of faith the
result would have ranked as a miracle.
When they had fallen about $50 yards that
part of the globe which was not torn
caught on the rigging in such a way as to
form parachute and their descent was
comparatively easy for few seconds, and
when the final drop came the netting
caught on tall house, and SO the last few
rods of their fall was slightly broken.
The occupants of the car, NJ. Coffin and
M. Perron, the aeronaut, observed at the
start that the globe was acting strangely.
"One would have thought" says NJ. Cot
tin, that it foresaw some adventure" It
was a Montgolfier-that is, inflated with
hot air. NJ. Coffin was looking down upon
Paris when the balloon stopped and began
turning. Then the car quivered and u feel
ing of deadly agony and fear seized him.
''rhe balloon has burst!'
SO NJ. Perron spoke, with as much cool
ness and dignity as if he had said. sit is a
fine day" NJ. Cottin's heart gave ons
great bound and in an instant all fear de-
>parted Even in that awful position lie
was astonishcd at himself and reasoned
thus:
ITO what can | attribute this insensi-
bility! To an emotion that is too violents
To the general shock that las affected my
whole being in Il uniform maDnerY That
is doubtess it. l have always been inn
pressed by this first physical observation.
1t Is for this reason that everything, even
the smallest event, remains inefiaceably
fixed in my brain. InefTaceable in trutl,
was the impression l received when, rails
lns my eyes, saw the cloth of which the
balloon WAS made twisting and rising to-
ward the valve, with the sound, so well
known TO seamen, Of sails in Il tempest.
II tried to drive the vision from, my
mind, but the thought that my old father,
my children, my brother and faithful
friends were there below. following all the
events Of this aerial drama, that other
loved ones We're thinking of us ut this mo.
mcnt, and that the approaching end was
IN the minds of all-this thought, say.
came torender the dark picture i'll black
err ! will not dwell Oh these reflections;
cannot describe them. confess, how
ever, that do not know on which side tho
hnal conquest would have been had not
suddenly received powerful assistance
iron. Perron, who said to me: All Il 10.
IN; well; the Ialloon Is acting as Il para.
chute We must keep our bodies rigid
Thank you, comrade. Yes, will hold
myself rigid. and tho ropes that have
graSped will not easily escape from my
hands,"
The balloon then began to sway, and for
Anew seconds seemed to hover In the air,
as If making ready for tho final plunge.
Perron threw out the bays Of ballast
with nervous haste, and cleared the rig.
ring SO he could throw the grappling iron
at the right instant. Both mon declare
that feeling OF perfect quiet. almost joy
Gus, pera,led them. Nj. Coffin adds that
most delightful recolections Of his youth
nl.cl his mind. For perhaps half n minute
they swung thus. then darted downward.
tel shock and sank into oblivion.
I'm all right! How pleasant 1t Is to
be nlivcW
Such were tho first words M. Coffin
neard on roviving. They were from NJ.
rNron. Neither man had II bone broken,
81. ierron il ns willing to go up as ever,
Out II. Coffin thinks terr. lrma good
enough for him.