Year: 1879




Woodward's Gardens were thronged
yesterday afternoon by concQurse of
pleasure.seekers, drawn thither by the
desire to see as many and varied enter
tainments as possible for one admission
fee. The place is very popular resort
for San Franciscans, especially on such
a gala-day as the Fourth of July, which
fact was never more fully demonstrated
than yesterday. Aside from the mat
inee performance in the pavilion, the
grand attraction was the ascension OF
Prof. S. w. Colgrove and Miss Emma
Allison, correspondent OF the New I ork
Graphic. After an ascent and flight OF
several hours duration the gas in the
balloon became scant and IL began to
descend. The result is thus described:
Seeing the danger of falling into the
water, the aeronaut then cut off pieces
of his landing-rope and threw them
over. Miss Allison now began to grow
frightened, and the situation became
dangerous. AS the shadow of the bal
loon on the bay became longer, and as
he could hear the water plainly, and
knew that he was falling to it swiftly,
Colgrove flung out everything, even his
anchor and ropes, in the hope of rising
again. IL was OF no avail.


The balloon went down, and knowing
it would rebound the moment it struck,
he told Miss Allison to turn her back to
the side of the car. She did not seem to
understand, and before he could catch
her the car struck the water, he striking
it with his back, she fell upon her face.
Their clothing was drenched in mo-
ment. The balloon rebounded, became
unmanageable,a and began ajourney over
the bay at terrific speed. Every few
moments it would strike the water,
often submerging the car and its Occu-
pants, and bounding up and away.
The water was first struck about two
and half miles from the shore, and
the space was traversed in less than
three minutes. Colgrove saw the
danger ahead, and with word OF
warning to his companion prepared to
meet it, At this time he was holding
her with one arm, to prevent her from
injury when the balloon struck the
water, and with the other endeavoring
to guide the balloon. He tried TO lift
her over the side of the car, but the
balloon fell suddenly and then rebound
ed. The two were thrown apart. AS
it came down again some of the ropes
which attach the car to the balloon
broke, the car turned partly over, and
the rebound flung them at 4 furious rate
along the ground. Colgl owe preserved
his presence of mind and soon gained
his feet, to see his tair companion flying
past him. He ran to and picked her
mp, finding to his dismay that she was
bleeding. about the head and face. A
cursory examination showed that she
had received q scalp wound, her lip
was cut and one of her teeth knocked
out. Colgrove was slightly injured on
his head and right arm, while his left
leg, formerly injured by balloon acci-
dent at Winchester, Ind, was hurt
again, though not badly. The point at
which the voyage ended is known as
Chisholm's Point. near San Lorenzo.
From there they had dreary journey
of two miles through marshy land,
where they had to wade and pick their
way from spot to spot with great care.
They finally reached farm house, re-
ceived buggy, drove to a small flag
station and came on the train to Ala
media, where Miss Allison was advised
By q physician to remain. Colgrove
came OF 10 the city to tell the story. He
SAYS that he Is not tired of ballooning,
but is ready at any time to coup again.
1t was fortunate that the disaster was
not any more serious than it is.-SGn
FL anciSeo Chronicle, JuIQ 8.