A PARACHUTE ADVENTURER KILLED.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7263, 24 January 1889, Page 6

A PARACHUTE ADVENTURER KILLED.

American mall news to hand states that at Columbus, Ohio, Mr B. F. Vandegrift, the aeronaut, was drowned. He was announced to make a balloon ascent from Exposition Park, and to drop from his balloon by means of a parachute. Fifteen thousand people watched , tbe ascent, which was made in a hot-air balloon.' When the aeronaut had reached an altitude of about half a mile, to tbe horror of the spectators, the balloon suddenly collapsed, and began descending like a limp wet rag. Many of the spectators elos_d their eyes, and many ladies screamed with fright, expecting the balloonist to fall among tbem. With rate presence of mind Vandegrift cut his parachute loose from the falling mass, and thus descended several hundred feet at almost lightning speed. Suddenly the spectators became aware of another danger to the aeronaut. The balloon was steadily bearing down upon the frail parachute. Only a few feet separated the two, and Vandexgrift by prompt act—_ in steering the parachute, saved hi——elf from this impending danger. Up to this time no one had thought of the turbulent Chatahoochee river. Suddenly some one in the crowd ahouted, "Look, look, he will fall into the river." Va_degrift was ■lowly but surely descending into the stream. When about 50_ from the water, and near the centre of the stream, he was heard to cry, "Save mc 1 save mc 1" These words of entreaty were addressed to the flshenoen who were paddling the stream. The men heard t_e _y, and rowed towards the descending parachute as swiftly as jHtB-ilhU. reach.mß the scene a few minutes after It had settled in the water. The balloonist caught held of the side of the boat, but by some means be lost hold and sank. He never rose again.