The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-01-18
A Thrilling Experience.

Of all imaginable balloon experiences
the most terrific is to be found within the
limits of a violent thunderstorm, says
Prof. S. A. King. Like most others, I
believed that balloon could easily rise
above such terrific thing as that, so ono
day, when the good folk of Burlington,
Ia, turned out and kissed their hands
and futtered their handkerchiefs as my
balloon rose in the face Of a fast-approach-
ing storm, was not at all concerned as to
the consequences.
The thunder growled and vivid flashes
oflightning showed plainly enough what
was coming. It soon became apparent
that the balloon was bound to meet tue
storm half way, and yet it was rising so
fast that it seemed sure to 60 clear. But
somehow the higher clouds reached over
and took the balloon in out of sight. The
clouds flushed momentarily with GRIM
son fire and the thunder's tones we're
booming like the cannon's roar. The
barometer still showed increasing height,
but began to feel uneasy and kept look
ing upward for break in the clouds, un-
til at last it began to grow lighter, and I
thought that in moment more the
balloon would be soaring high above the
danger.
There was just then an olninous still
ness in the air, followed by an appalling
explosion that streaked the cloud with
binding electric FIRE and snatched the
balloon at cannon ball speed-strange
that it was not torn to fragments. The
air was rushing, tossing and turning II
about like leaf; flirting the car from
side to side so violently that there ac-
tually seemed to be danger Of its being
thrown clear over the balloon, and I has
tily caught to a hanging rope and tied
myself in.
To add to the misery of the situation
the gas had expanded at the very first to
overhowing and continued pouring down
in volumes on my head. held the valve
open constantly, but it seemed to have no
effect, and for awhile sufiocation appear
ed almost certain. From the moment OF
the first seizure there was no respite |;
one explosion followed another in quick
succession every moment the electric
fluid was darting hither and thither,
while escape from fire with such body
of infammable gas seemed impossible.
All efforts proved fruitless, until col.
lapse of the cloud occurred Immediately
overhead, when the torrent OF rain car.
ried the balloon down with it.
From the scene of commotion to tho
earth was distance oftwo miles, through
which the balloon swiftly descended.
The storm still ragged above, but the rain
cleaving the cloud in white lines all
above me was the only apparent move.
ment during the descent. 1t was rest.
full lull after the frightful confusion, but
knew there was more to come. A ra.
ging tempest is not the gentlest conduc'
tor to safe harbor, and as the clouds
opened sight met my eye that was not
at all consoling. was pitching pell-mell
into forest that was thrashing wildly in
the storm Of rain. There was
no halting or indecision about the mat
ter.
Right down into the woods the cal
went, and through the tops Of half
dozen trees then the collapsing cord
hod dona its work The nettinp cnupht
in the branches and the car fell by easy
Jerks to within foot of the ground
Stepping out on terra tirma, caught a
piece of torn balloon that came floating
down, and drawing it over my head
sat upon stump to wait until the rain
was over. There was little left of the
balloon, but the man was just as good as
ever.-.SI. Louis Globe Democrat.