Hoosier Folklore

Magazine Overview

This document is a scanned page from the "Hoosier Folklore" magazine, specifically Volume 9, Number 4, published by the Hoosier Folklore Society in October-December 1950. The primary article discussed is "Flying Saucers as Folklore" by Howard H. Peckham, with a brief introductory anecdote by Louise P. Olsen.

Flying Saucers as Folklore by Howard H. Peckham

Howard H. Peckham's article examines the phenomenon of "flying saucers" as a modern myth that emerged after World War II. He notes that reports of airborne "things" began to surface, similar to other folklore manifestations like claims of President Roosevelt or Adolph Hitler being alive. The term "saucer" was adopted to describe these objects, leading to increased media attention and more reports.

In response to the persistent stories, the technical intelligence division of the Air Material Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, organized an official investigation in January 1948. This project, involving the FBI and university scientists, questioned witnesses and individuals who claimed knowledge of sightings. By the end of 1949, the Air Force concluded the project, issuing a report stating that 375 incidents had been investigated. The findings indicated that most sightings were misinterpretations of conventional objects, some were hoaxes, and others were mild forms of mass hysteria. One additional incident investigated until June 1950 also yielded negative results.

Despite the official negative findings, Peckham argues that such conclusions have little effect on the public's fascination with mysterious tales. The "embroidering" of the stories, coupled with speculation about interplanetary communication or international spying, kept the myth alive. The phenomenon was amplified by newspaper reports, radio broadcasts, and comedy routines.

Several prominent figures offered explanations. David Lawrence, editor of U. S. News and World Reports, suggested flying saucers were new Navy air weapons. President Truman denied this, and aeronautical engineer Igor Sikorsky doubted the feasibility of such a combination. Henry J. Taylor, however, reported in The Reader's Digest that flying saucers were real, secret military tests, implying insider knowledge.

Frank Scully's book, "Behind the Flying Saucers," published in October 1950, significantly boosted the myth. Scully challenged the Air Force report, suggesting the Air Force was either ignorant of "magnetic propulsion" or deliberately concealing information about a new invention or an extraterrestrial phenomenon. Scully proposed that flying saucers were real, non-American, and possibly extraterrestrial, with four having landed on Earth, three captured, and 34 small (36-40 inches tall) alien crew members found. He claimed the vehicles were made of unknown metals and operated by magnetic forces, likely originating from Venus.

Reviewers largely dismissed Scully's book as pseudoscience or a hoax, but Pageant magazine condensed it. Another explanation attributed the saucers to Russia, intended for spying, a theory not taken seriously even by Soviet officials like Andrei A. Gromyko.

Professor G. Milton Smith humorously suggested a Scottish origin, linking it to the Loch Ness monster. The article also mentions Immanuel Velikovsky's "Worlds in Collision," which proposed Venus had nearly collided with Earth in ancient times, explaining biblical phenomena.

Bob Considine interviewed Colonel Harold E. Watson, who led the Air Force investigation. Watson found no evidence of midgets or captured saucers, refuting Scully's claims. The investigation project continued even after its official dissolution.

An interesting observation is the shift in the Readers Guide to Periodical Literature. Initially, flying saucers were listed under "Illusions and hallucinations." By August 1950, a new reference linked them to "Aeronautics: airplanes, jet propelled," indicating a growing acceptance of them as potential real, man-made vehicles or weapons, aligning with the views of Lawrence and Taylor.

Peckham suggests folklorists might categorize the phenomenon under "magic object affords miraculous transportation." He concludes that the dispute appeals to public anxiety, fear, and suspicion of authority, involving the trusted sense of sight and representing an advancement in engineering.

The Tale of the Scott County (Iowa) Militia by Pauline Cook

This section introduces a historical account titled "The Tale of the Scott County (Iowa) Militia" by Pauline Cook. The story is described as embroidered but largely true, detailing a chapter of midwestern history. It traces the background to the American Revolution, mentioning military expeditions from the county. The Fox Indians, allied with the Sacs and Great Britain, attacked Spanish and American territories around St. Louis, led by a British trader named Hesse. Their attacks on Pencour (St. Louis) and Cahokia were unsuccessful.

During the War of 1812, the Sacs and Foxes remained hostile. An American expedition from St. Louis to Prairie du Chien in 1814 was intercepted by Indians at Rock Island, resulting in its near destruction. Ammunition fell into the hands of Indian chief Black Hawk and was taken to the Fox village at Davenport. Another St. Louis expedition encountered British and Indians, leading to the Battle of Credit Island, named after a trading station of the Great American Fur Company located there for safety and to extend credit to the Indians.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine "Hoosier Folklore" appears to focus on the study of folklore, myths, and historical narratives. The article "Flying Saucers as Folklore" adopts an analytical approach, examining the phenomenon through the lens of folklore studies, distinguishing between factual investigation and the development of popular myth. The editorial stance seems to be one of objective inquiry into the social and cultural aspects of belief and storytelling, rather than endorsing any particular explanation for the flying saucer phenomenon. The inclusion of a historical piece on the Scott County Militia suggests a broader interest in regional history and its associated narratives.