The Fairfield Herald

Telegraphic.
News Items.

New York, September 12.--The work of inflating the balloon for the trans-Atlantic trip commenced at three o'clock this morning, and is progressing rapidly and favorably. Flags have been hoisted in different parts of the city as an indication that the ascension will certainly take place to-day. Professor Wise and Donaldson are both on the ground superintending the work of inflating. It has been decided to abandon the car and paper canoe, it being feared that the weight would be too great for the carrying capacity of the balloon. A stream of people has set in the direction of the grounds, and the street cars and ferry boats are densely crowded. The weather is delightful, scarcely a breath of wind blowing. It is estimated that one hundred thousand people are already in and about the grounds.

LATER.

New York, September 12-4.30 P. M.--An immense crowd of people went to Brooklyn to-day to see the balloon inflated. Many roofs of high buildings in this city were covered with people with glasses to view its promised ascension. The process of inflation commenced this morning and continued steadily during the day and afternoon. Many people believed there would be a bona fide ascension, but others were sceptical. At ten minutes past four P. M., the balloon suddenly swayed to the north, ripped half way around with a great tearing sound, and fell flat upon the ground. The immense volume of gas which had been pumped into it, nearly four hundred thousand feet, escaped, nearly suffocating those who stood on the lee side. Inspector Falk, Mr. Goodell and Police Commissioner Briggs had but an instant before shifted their positions to the eastward, and thus escaped being buried in the netting and canvas. The crowd made a general rush over the ropes with the intention of tearing the balloon into small pieces and carrying them off as mementoes, but the strong force of police on the ground charged and drove them back, but not before many had succeeded. The person who had contracted to fill the balloon said that it would be all folly to attempt another inflation, as the bag was not made of the proper material. So the enterprise is abandoned for the present.