OCR Text |
Show THItll.LlXO BALLOON ADVENTURE. ADVEN-TURE. The balloon ascension yesterday afternoon, by Professor Torrey, of (jtady'H Circus, was a very exciting affair, af-fair, and came near proving a terrible disaster. Tho balloon was inflated with hot air by means of a furnace set in the ground, tho chimney or tube for in-ertion in tbe mouth of tho balloon being a section of a steam boiler. Just as the rising balloon cleared tho tube the flume Hashed fiercely and set fire to it. The ropes were let go when tho immense im-mense canvas globe, inflated with the heated air, rose rapidly upward, the daring rennaut clinging to a trapeze suspended from beneath with ropes, and performing a number of graceful feats as the air ship soared aloft and was borne along by the wind, which was blowing almost a gale at the time. Meantime the fire, which had been communicated to the lower portion of the balloon at starting, continued to blaze around tho ed.nes, but the Professor, apparently oblivious to tho dangerous danger-ous position in whieh he was placed, kept up bis daring feats on the trapeze, banging alternately by one foot or one hand, and performing sundry graceful evolutions while catricd along at an elevation of about one thousand feet from the earth. Tho balloon was borne eastward for some distance by the current, cur-rent, when the heated air having cooled it commenced a rapid descent, landing on the commons east of the Hydraulic, neary Gary's flax mill. While approaching the earth with considerable force the balloon came in contact with a willow tree, when the Professor releasing his hold of the trapeze, tra-peze, took refuge in the branches, and broke his fall by seizing hold of a limb, which gave way, and he fell to the ground, ending his perilous journey without serious injury, though his ancle was slightly sprained by the concussion. con-cussion. The ascension was witnessed by hundreds of people, who were thrilled with the spectacle of the daring dar-ing aeronaut dangling in the air, and perlbrming astonishing acrobatic feats while the flames threatened to consume the frail bark which bore him along. It was, altogether, the most exciting exhibition of the kind ever witnessed here. The bailoon was draeged for some distance after the Professor landed, and was gathered up considerably consid-erably damaged by fire, and torn by coming in contact with the tree in its descent. Dayton Journal. |