A Daring Feat. PROFESSOR BALDWIN JUMPS FROM A BALLOON A MILE HIGH.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 217, 27 August 1887, Page 7

A Daring Feat. PROFESSOR BALDWIN JUMPS FROM A BALLOON A MILE HIGH.

The much-talked-of leap from a balloon was made by Professor Thomas S. Baldwin ab the fair grounds, Quincy(lL), on July 4th. Over '20,000 people witnessed the performance, which was very daring 1 . Balwin ascended to a height of one mile, and then, holding hid parachute, launched himself into space. The parachute was about eighteen feet in diamoter, and made of coids and strong .silk. When the jump was made, it waa closed, and the lirsb 200 feet the aeronaut diopped like a vock. Then, as the parachute expanded, the speed became less rapid, and the aeronaut and his strange apparatus floated .steadily down like a bird. It was a grand sight. The descent was accomplished in three minutes and twenty seconds. Baldwin struck the ground with some force, bub not enough to injure him. The descent varied about a quarter of a mile from the vertical, and the piofcssor struck the pound about a mile and a half from where the ascent waa made. His attempt to collapj-e the balloon when jumping failed, and it soared away skyward when relieved of his weight. Baldwin is a native of Quincy, and is 26 years old. He was for a number of years engaged in the newspaper- business, but for the last few years has been studying athletics and ballooning. lie made a similar leap in California la^t "u inter, the distance being 1,000 feet.