Year: 1873




Mountain, while making a ball


loon ascension at Iona, Mich, on


the 4th Of July last, are thus de-


scribed by a correspondent of the


Detroit Post:


"Among the many advertised


attractions Of the celebration ofthe


Fourth by our citizens was that of


the ascension of Professor La


Mountain, of Brooklyn, Mich, in


his mammoth air ship. Several
Thousand spectators througed the
public square for hours before the


appointed time. A heavy sqnall


of wind necessarily delayed the as


cension for two or three hours. but


at the end of that time the air


became calm. Under the direc-


ton of the professor the balloon


was got into position, and its in


fation with hot air was commenc-


ed. The canvas soon filed, AMI


lOomed up nearly 70 feet high
The basket was a willow one Of a


size sufficient to hold one person
comfortably. 1t was attached to
the balloon by six or eight long
ropes, which were fastened at the
top to a round piece of wood some
three feet in diameter. The ropes


were IN no manner fastened to-
gether between the top and the


basket. As each piece was 100
feet long it seemed, even to mex
perienced eyes, that there should
have been some webbing or net
work, at least over the bag or


bulge of the canvas. The fear
was generally expressed that some
accident might occur by the can
vas slipping through between the
ropes. 1t was also noticed that
the ropes were uneveniy distribu-
ted-three or four being IN COM
parative cluster, leaving the other
strands far apart. Nothing was
said of the matter, rs the Profess
or, who gave the whole structure
a thorough look before taking his
seat in the car, made no comment
on the fact, aud it was thought
that his experience was sufficient
for the occasion. Every thing be-
ing in readiness, the words 'Iet
her go were given, and the air
ship drifted up with great rapidi-
ty while the aeronaut waved his
hat to the uneasy multitude, who
almost breathlessly watched his
flight. Immediately upon leav-
ing the ground the mouth Of the
canvas began to flap around with
great violence. When fully half
mile from the earth and when the
whole structure looked no larger
than hcghead, the balloon slip.
ped between the ropes and was In
Stantly inverted. The car and its
occupant dropped like a shot; ana
when the ropes were pulled taut,
the round piece Of wood was torn
from the canvrs. With the most
terrific velocity the unfortunate
man descended, ciinging to the
ba sket. That he was conscious
was evident from his Struggles
With all the intensity of a life
with bit one chance, he strove to
raise the basket above him, evi-
IDENTIFY hoping to use it as a para
chute. He succeeded in his OBJ
ject; but when 100 feet high, he
lOOsed his hold, folded his hands
and arms before his face. and, feet
first, struck the ground with dull
heavy thud. Then ensuad a pan
ic aud uproar in the crowd, which
is indeScribable. Women tainted,
men wept, and to add to the con-
fusion the canvas came flying
over the crowd like a huge bird.
Some one cried out to get out of
It's way, as it would fall withcrush-
ing force. The cry was taken up
and general rush was made for
safety, in which many were more
1r less injured.


La Mountain was crushed into
a literal pulp. Not a sign of me-
ion or life was visabIe when be
vas reached. Medical exanina-
ion disclosed the fact that hardly
! whole bone was left. Many
we're ground and splintelpd to
powder. His jaws fell upon his
'rms, and were pulverized. The
1lood spuTted from bis mouth aud
,ars. Where hs struck there was
IN indenture, made IN hard gravel
five or six inches deep
The corpse was laid out aud
placed on the putlic square, where
was viewed by thousands.