Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-01
UP IN A WILD BALLOON

"Since came to Washington, a couple Of
weeks ago, hav$ had not less than a
dozen Invitations by friends to accompany
them to the Sbp Of the Washington monu-
ment, but each has been declined with
thanks" said J. M. Underwood of Califor-
MIA to Star reporter at the National.
There isn't money enough in the world
to tempt me to gol to the top of the monu-
ment. I recall with shudder one time
in my life when Gent up high enough to
more than satisfy &e and made a solemn
VOW then that If Kved to get back to terra
frma would speaR the rest of my life as
near to the earth a possible.
How was tt? We'll. don't mind telling
you. II do not bore you. During the war
the government employed Prof. Low an
aeronaut, to maisS ascensions in the inter-
est OF the Union army. 1t was practicable
inasnuch as the movements of the enemy
could be eaSilys watched. At Yorktown,
Va, one day, Gen. FftzJohn Porter, who
was then in command, made an ascension
Win Prof Low. and accompanied him.
Usually two soldiers were detailed to ac-
company the professor. On this occasion
only one was necessary. The two men who
had been previously detailed began to uuib-
ole among themselves as to who should go
and the captain of our company finally
gave the order that neither should CO.
WHAT'S the matter with your going
Underworld the captain yelled to me-
didn't stop to think what l was getting
into. and assented at once. The ba Don
was controlled by ropes attached to wind
iasseS on the ground. Two soldiers were
usually stationed at these windlas ses and
they pulled the balloon back to earth upon
a signal from the professor. On this occa-
sion, the men at the windlasses let us up
several hundred feet, and, as the professor
was about to survey the enemy with his
glass, something holo nd
we began soaring away into space.
Higher and higher we went the wind
iasses dangling at the end of the ropes in
the air. Prof. Low took in the situation
coolly and seemed apparently at home the
higher we got.
We will go up until we get into another
current of air. he said to Gen. Porter and
me, as he caught hold of a valve.
Don't be alarmed, as we shall get back
an right. But l caution you not to look
downward
IF he hadn't admonished us not to
presume that wouldn't have thought of it.
At the time, was standing up in the bas-
ket, with my gun In one hand. With the
other hand had firm grasp on one of the
ropes that held the basket My Yankee
curiosity asserted itself and looked down.
Sod FORBID that may ever again have such
Ieeiings: l cam describe them. l only
know that l fairly swooned and sank to
the bottom of the basket. My gun went
Such agony Of mind had never experi
enced before. have never experienced
such feelings since. and / am confident
that shall never place myself in condi-
tion to experience anything like them in
the future.
We'll, We went up into another current
or air. which, with the professors control
or the balloon, enabled us to drift back
toward where We went up Gen. Porter
was as cool as a cucumber, though | re-
call that he expressed himself as feeling
more secure when. we returned to terra
TRINA. The balloon, after the windlasses
became disengaged, had hoated over tue
enemy and toward Richmond.
THAT experiences away from earth was
enough for md. Not much do / care to visit
the top of ting; monument. l never look at
1t without shudder.''