Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 September 1875 — A Daring Balloon Ascension. [ARTICLE]

A Daring Balloon Ascension.

One of the attractions of the pioneers’ celebration yesterday was the balloon ascension of j. 11. Steiner, the aeronaut. The ascent was advertised to be made at' three o’clock in the afternoon, but many who arrived before that hotfr were disappointed. because the ascension had already taken place. The air-ship was tilled from the gas-mains on the corner of AV ashington street and Seventh avenue, and carried down to the park, adistance of two blocks, at one o’clock. The professor found that he did not have sufficient gas, and that what he did have was rapidly escaping, • and notified the managers of the celebration that he would be compelled to make the proposed ascension immediately. At this time (about a quarter past one o'clock) the; aUemianee was pot near so large.as .it was subsequently, and die hasty determination prevented even many of those present in the park from being aware of what was so unexpectedly about to take place. Those who were aware, however, witnessed a surprise they wi re not prepared for, as Sir. Steiner, instead of attaching the usual car or basket to his balloon, dispensed with it altogether, aud, seated on a simple piece of rope, like a swing, sailed away-into mid-air. Waving ills hat to the spectators, who looked upon him with wonderment and a feeling of apprehension for his fate. They had witnessed a piece of trapeze performance that was not in the programme. At first tl(e balloon took an easterly direction, but soon changed its course to a northeasterly direction, and went across the Contra Costa Mountains in the direction of Moraga Valley. When the first range of mountains was crossed Mr. Steiner thought to alight; but the current of air in the valley below was strong enough to lift the balloon on to the next range, where the professor let go his hold of the balloon and dropped to the ground without sustaining any injury beyond a couple of scratches. The balloon, relieved of the weight of its passenger, rose up rapidly again, and continued its course until the’gas was exhausted,and has not been recovered. The balloonist was only thirty minutes in mid-air. and, on inquiry where he descended, found that he had traveled, some .eight miles over the Contra Costa Mountains to the verge of Moraga Valiev• There he found a dairyman, who took him back to Brooklyn in his wagon, and at four o'clock he was again in the garden narrating his adventure to the curious inquirers, many of whom had been fearful for his fate. The feat was a daring, one, and such as few would c-are t<> see repeated. But it sir >wshow little men of trained nerve and muscle care for positions the very thought of which makes others tremble. — Oakland (Cal.) Tribune.