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THE PATRIOT
WEDNESDAY,SEPTEMBER 15, 1875.
AGRICULTURAL and MECHANICAL EXHIBITION

FIRST DAY - A GREAT CREDITABLE ATTENDANCE - FINE TROTTING - GRAND BALLOON ASCENSION BY MRS. IHLING - LIBERAL DISPLAY OF GOODS, ETC., ETC.

The opening day of the fair at the driving park yesterday was ll that could be expected - the weather being fine, the display of horses, horned cattle, swine, etc., very good and the attendance (amounting probably to several thousand persons) quite encouraging for the opening day. As there are numerous additional entries of cattle, goods, etc., to be made this morning we have decided not to give a description of the principal articles on exhibition until tomorrow morning. 

Professor Weber's cornet band furnished excellent music during the afternoon.

The balloon ascension which was announced to come off at 2 p.m. was postponed till 3:20. Mrs. Ihling's fine balloon, the "Republic," was inflated at the corner of Second and Broad streets during the forenoon by Professor Charles Wise, under the direction of his father, John Wise, sr. About 1.30 p.m. (the proper ballast having been placed in the basket) a man stepped into the willow car in order to keep it near the earth, when a stout rope was securely fastened around it and with the aid of about sixty boys and young men it was towed out Second street to Maclay, thence to the river and up to the park, without any accident, and occupying less than half an hour's time. The symmetrical aerial ship is made of English Cambric, specially varnished for the purpose, and consists of 250 square yards of material capable of holding from 8,000 to 9,000 feet of gas. The network, basket and other fixtures are new, strong and securely made. The balloon was anchored to a stout piece of timber, in an open space in front of the pavilion, on the south side of the track. Mrs. Ihling and a lady friend and relative sat under the pavilion, near the orchestra, and at a given signal stepped lithely down and crossed over to the grass spot where the aerial ship was safely moored. The daring lady aeronaut is a woman of prepossessing appearance, is of medium size, slight, graceful figure, a blonde, having a profusion of beautiful hair inclined to curl, a finely cut, small mouth and light gray eyes full of expression. She was neatly clad in a dress of soft gray material, trimmed with black, wore a black hat, with a jaunty black feather, had a black lace veil over her face wore jet ornaments, and a small gold watch which she occasionally consulted in a somewhat anxious manner. In the basket she carried a small leather bag, a silk umbrella, a compass, some ballast, etc. Stepping lithely into the basket, the fair aeronaut stood straight up, her left hand grasping the concentrating ring, and in her right she held the stars and stripes, Her comely face betrayed a trifle of anxiety, but she stood firm and resolute, smiling and conversing with her friends, until Professor John Wise declared everything in readiness. "Here," said the veteran aeronaut, "is the salvation string," as he untied the safety valve cord which had been secured around the neck of the balloon.

"You know when and how to use it." "In what direction do you suppose I'll go, uncle?" inquired the fair aeronaut. "I can't tell, Lizzie; you may possibly sail down the Lebanon valley and land hear Reading if you ascend high enough and strike the right current." Professor Wise then guided the balloon to the proper point, and letting go of the cord exclaimed, "Good bye." A sharp "Good bye" fell from the lips of the fair voyager, and throwing a kiss to her lady friend she waved the pretty flag to and fro amid immense cheering. The stately balloon rose slowly into the air at precisely half past three p.m. When the aerial ship had gained an altitude of about 1,000 feet it appeared as if it would float directly over the city. Professor Wise shouted, "Throw out some ballast," which was promptly responded to, when the huge ball of varnished cambric shot up another thousand feet, till it stood directly over Hoffman's woods, then sailing steadily and slowly away in a direction due north towards Robert's mountain. At 4 p.m. it was plainly visible and seemed to be right over the gap at or near John Unger's, about four and a half miles distant from the Susquehanna river. At 4:30 the balloon was still watched with intense interest going slowly northward, appearing smaller and smaller to the vision of the 2,000 anxious spectators (now about the size of a gum toy balloon). At 5:30 p.m. it seemed a mere speck on the northern horizon, and was finally hid from view behind the crest of the Kittatinny. It was then thought to be a distance of sixteen to eighteen miles from the starting point, and rapidly descending.

Various were the surmises as to where Mrs. Ihling would land - quite a number asserting that she would touch terra firma in the vicinity of Matamoras. Others that she would land at some point in Stony Creek valley, among the sturdy farmers. Messrs. John Wise, sr. and L.H. Nowviock followed in a carriage as far ass Dauphin, but not being able to trace her course from that point abandoned the pursuit. The [[torn off]] veteran is not uneasy about his niece, having the utmost confidence in her courage and good judgement. Prof. Wise was of the opinion that his niece landed at some point where railroad and telegraphic communication could not readily be had, and expects to hear of her safety early this forenoon. The ascension was one of the finest and best conducted ever witnessed at the capital. The arranging and execution of it reflects great credit on the skill of Prof. Charles E. Wise. The brave lady aeronaut takes to this perilous vocation on her own account and of her own free will - her relatives neither interfering nor discouraging her in the business. This was the second ascension she made alone, but has several times sailed in company with Prof. John Wise.

[Later - The conductor of a coach train passing over the Schuylkill and Susquehanna railroad about five p.m. yesterday observed the balloon going directly over Stony Creek forge - the forge is about five miles northeast of Dauphin. Up to midnight we failed to get any information from the telegraph lines in this city as to Mrs. Ihling's whereabouts.]

Little Johnny Wise will ascend from the park at four o'clock this afternoon, in his fine balloon, Young America. All should witness the grand ascension by the daring young aeronaut.