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trip. It%u2019s unknown if the mail idea originated with Wise or with Wood. But it%u2019s the type of stunt the clever Wise would have come up with to ensure plenty of press coverage. At one point, he announced he would drop a dog from his balloon by parachute%u2014but he never did. There was so much advance publicity for Wise%u2019s flight, that he drew a crowd estimated at 20,000 for his August 16 launch. Some guessed even more were present%u2014perhaps as many as 30,000. Either figure is remarkable considering that Lafayette%u2019s population was only about 12,000 at the time. In any case, many more were interested in watching the balloon lift off, than wanted it to carry their mail.On that auspicious Tuesday morning, the day began with a parade%u2014billed as a %u201cGrand Procession%u201d%u2014which included a brass band. Then, Jupiter was filled with coal gas at the Lafayette gasworks and hauled to the Courthouse Square for take off. Almost immediately, it was realized that telegraph wires and trees in the area could hamper an ascension. Despite the danger, a few feeble attempts were made to get off the ground, but when a defective valve was discovered, it was decided to reschedule for the next day.Because of the prior publicity, many in the crowd were out-of-towners, and some had arrived by horse-drawn conveyance or chartered train. After the cancellation, hundreds decided to head back home. Still, thousands remained, and they were disappointed, frustrated, and eager for something to happen. Soon, many found their way into local taverns, and it didn%u2019t take long before men were brawling, staggering, and lounging about. One newspaper described the scene as a %u201ccolossal drunk.%u201dThe next day, the launch site was moved to a more open spot near the gasworks where Jupitercould avoid telegraph lines and trees. The crowd this time was smaller%u2014an estimated 10,000%u2014but it retained its enthusiasm. At 2:30 p.m., after the balloon was refilled with gas, and Postmaster Wood had reloaded his locked mailbag into its gondola, Jupiterrose into the sky amid loud cheers. Then, it just hung there in calm air. Seeking a breeze, Wise rose to a higher altitude and began drifting%u2014but south, rather than east toward New York.After a while, Jupiter neared New Richmond, where Wise landed briefly, had a drink, and gave locals some of the bread he was carrying, as well as copies of several Lafayette newspapers. After taking off once again, the winds carried him toward Crawfordsville. He hoped to land near the Montgomery County Courthouse, but was carried south of town, where about 7:00 p.m., he lowered a rope to an Irishman on the ground below. The poor fellow had never seen a balloon before, and was terrified of it. According to the Lafayette Courier, %u201cPaddy...dodged behind a tree just in time to avoid a loaf of bread which the aeronaut had thrown at him.%u201dMinutes before landing, Wise dropped the mail bag from his gondola using a parachute he%u2019d made from a nine-foot square of muslin cloth. Jupiter Balloon in the Lafayette Courthouse Square on August 16, 1859.