APRO Bulletin - 1958 11 00 - November

Magazine Overview

This issue of THE A.P.R.O. BULLETIN, dated November 1958, is published by the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO) and focuses on UFO (Unidentified Aerial Object) sightings and related phenomena. The publication aims to investigate the mystery of unidentified objects.

Cover Story: MAN CLAIMS FACE BURNS FROM UAO

The cover prominently features a headline about a man claiming to have suffered face burns from a UAO. The article details an encounter near the Loch Raven bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, on October 26, 1958. Philip Small and Alvin Cohen reported seeing a glowing, egg-shaped object around 11:30 p.m. The object, estimated to be about 100 feet long, was suspended over the bridge. When their car approached within 75 feet, the motor and lights stopped functioning. The object then began to glow intensely, emitted heat, and shot straight up into the air, accompanied by a loud clap of thunder or sound. Small reported that his face felt burned, and upon arriving home, his wife noted his face was bright red and hot to the touch. Police investigators were involved, and the incident was referred to the Office of Special Investigation at Fort Holabird. The Air Force, through Major Tacker at the Pentagon, stated that a formal statement would be made once all facts were in, but none had been issued at the time of publication.

THEY'RE BACK AGAIN... IN INDIANA

This section reports on a sighting on October 3, 1958, by the crew of Freight Train Number 91 on the Monon Railroad near Rossville, Indiana. Around 3:10 a.m., the fireman, Cecil Bridge, noticed four oddly glowing white lights crossing the tracks ahead. The engineer also saw them. The lights turned and approached the train at an estimated altitude of 2000 feet, sweeping the entire length of the 51-car train. The objects changed color from white to orange-red or deep red as they changed speed. They traversed the train's length, then sped east before returning to follow the train at low altitudes, sometimes appearing to be only 200-300 feet above the treetops. The crew members described them as about forty feet in diameter and eight to ten feet thick, though their specific conformation was unclear due to the glow. The conductor, Ed Robinson, used a powerful flashlight on the objects, causing them to flee temporarily before returning. The objects eventually moved off slowly to the northeast. The five crew members on the train agreed on their observations.

MONSTER

This brief section notes a report from Riverside, California, about a monster frightening people. The sheriff's office received about 28 calls. Charles Wetzel of Bloomington provided a detailed description after the 'thing' jumped in front of his car, clawing at the windshield. He described it as having a round face with two shining eyes, a protuberant mouth, no ears, and a scaly appearance like leaves. He noted one arm was exceptionally long, reaching back to the windshield. Wetzel stated the creature made 'inhuman gurgling noises' when he sped away. The article suggests this behavior is inconsistent with a 'Halloween prankster.'

IN THIS ISSUE...

A table of contents lists several articles: "WHY?" by Coral E. Lorenzen, "EXPLODING THE HOLLOMAN CIGAR" by Leslie J. Lorenzen, "ANOTHER UAO POWER POSSIBILITY?" by Gaston Burridge, "MONSTER," "THEY'RE BACK AGAIN - IN INDIANA," and "THE AIR FORCE RUNAROUND."

THE AF RUNAROUND

This article details APRO's efforts to get the Air Force to investigate UFOs. In July, APRO suggested a scientific investigation to ARPA in Washington. The matter was referred to Major Lawrence J. Tacker at the Pentagon. A September 29 letter from Tacker, enclosing a "Fact Sheet" with standard balloon/reflection data, was received. A copy of a "Fortune" color slide, previously turned over to a Holloman UFO investigator, was also returned with the note "To Photo and Micro Photo Lab-Make contrast, density prints and full analysis." The results of this analysis were not made available to APRO. The slide and release were addressed to Leslie J. Lorenzen, Director of Public Relations, indicating correlation between the slide and the letter to ARPA, and suggesting a "runaround" from the Air Force.

Special Reports Considered

APRO is considering a "special report" department to furnish lengthy reports to members at a minimum cost, such as investigations of ice falls and the Levelland, Texas incidents of November 1957. These reports would be printed and mailed first class, with members asked to vote "Yes" or "No" on the system via postcards. The cost is estimated at 25 cents or 6 four-cent stamps per report.

THEY'RE BACK AGAIN... (Continued)

This section continues the Indiana train sighting report. AP and UPI interviewed the crew members. Bridge is a former Air Force man, and Robinson is a veteran with no flying experience. The article also mentions a report from Danville, Indiana, where Dewey Taylor and other railroad employees saw "blinding bluish-white objects" moving back and forth at high speed, appearing star-sized.

MITCHELL-"ANGEL'S HAIR"

On October 13, Mrs. Arthur Cottengain of Mitchell, Indiana, reported strange strands like spider webs floating earthward. Neighboring families also saw and handled the material, which Mrs. Luther Jekins noted seemed to evaporate shortly after being brought inside. Similar material was reported falling at Franklin, Indiana, the same day. Dr. Herbert Wallace of Franklin College suggested it might be the webs of migrant spiders. In Portales, New Mexico, spider webs with spiders fell but did not evaporate.

UAO Picture Originals

This section urges members to obtain original negatives of UAO photos for thorough examination by Mr. Hopf. It emphasizes that the original negative is crucial for accurate analysis and that APRO is willing to return negatives after analysis. The article warns that many seemingly good UAO photos have been used by "contactee" elements for fraudulent claims.

UAO ON HONEST JOHN FILM

In the spring of 1953, an ovoid shape appeared on three consecutive frames of Askania film during an Honest John missile test at White Sands Proving Ground. The film was confiscated by an Air Force officer. The official explanation later offered was that the ovoid was a ball of exhaust gases, which was then replaced by the theory that a bird had flown in front of the camera, producing an elliptical "light core." The article questions this explanation, asking why the other camera's film was also taken and why such data would be wasted.

WHY?

Written by Coral E. Lorenzen, this article questions the authorities' persistent "ridicule" and "silence policy" regarding UFOs. Lorenzen argues that while circumstantial, photographic, and physical evidence exists, it is not enough to convince the public when authorities actively conceal information. She suggests that fear plays a part in this secrecy. Lorenzen recalls correspondence with Australian UFOlogist Edgar Jarrold, who left the field after a conference with high-ranking AAF officials in July 1954. Jarrold had emphasized correlating UFO research with public benefit. Lorenzen explores the theory that natural catastrophes, possibly linked to Mars conjunctions and unusual climatic conditions, might be the reason for the official silence. She notes that Mars' closest orbital position to Earth in August 1956 coincided with extreme climatic changes.

UAO Pictures

This is an advertisement for "Rio" pictures from the July 1958 Bulletin, available for sale as 5x7 or 8x10 prints. It notes that orders require at least eight weeks for fulfillment.

EXPLODING THE "HOLLOMAN CIGAR"

By L. J. Lorenzen, this article details a sighting on October 10, 1958, in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Four people, including John and Norma Romero, Coral Lorenzen, and the author, observed an "elongated cigar" making a 30-degree angle with the horizon. The object's upper end was clearly defined against the sunset sky, while the tail was more nebulous. The author initially thought it was a "great cloud cigar" but noted the object's movement and blinking light. The object appeared to tilt north, turn black at the tip, and move upward, diminishing in size until it disappeared as a black horizontal line. Sketches made by the observers remarkably agreed. Holloman reported an L-17 and a B-26 in the air, but no jets. The Alamogordo Daily News reported the incident, mentioning a statement from an unnamed Holloman contractor representative who suggested a new F-106A jet plane flying in from the West Coast at sunset was responsible, claiming it was about 200 miles away. The author investigated this explanation by speaking with Fran Parker, Chief Test Pilot for Convair at Holloman. Parker confirmed a new F-106A was being flown in by Don Humphreys and that its contrail, especially in the sunset, could appear as a "long, thin ovoid" and reflect light like a cloud. The "flashing light on the nose" was identified as a rotating beacon on the F-106A. The author was convinced that the "cigar" was likely the jet contrail. The article also mentions a technician who observed the contrail shrinking and disappearing, making it appear to be going up. The new UFO investigation officer at Holloman, Captain Woods, contacted Mr. Romero for a report, but the conversation was brief. Major Hillis, former UFO officer, later inquired about the incident, and Coral Lorenzen provided findings, with Hillis sounding disappointed.

GI REPORTS UAO LANDING AT NIKE BASE

This article reports on an incident from October 7, 1958, involving Pvt. Jerome A. Scanlon and other GIs who reported seeing a fire-belching, wingless, teardrop-shaped object land and take off at a Nike base 17 miles from Washington, D.C., in Maryland. Scanlon described the object as about a hundred yards up, moving slowly, green and white, with no wings or markings. It skittered over treetops, broke branches, and landed, sending up sparks and casting a glow. Scanlon reported the observation to his CO, Capt. William Turley, and was ordered to Washington to report to "authorities." Official explanations from the Air Force included a meteor passing by as a farmer turned on his yard light, and later, welding flashes on high-tension wires. The article questions these explanations, noting that the Potomac Electric Power Co. denied having a crew out at the time. It suggests that the AF might be suppressing information about extra-terrestrial beings.

ANOTHER UAO POWER POSSIBILITY?

By Gaston Burridge, this article explores the motive force of UAO's, focusing on Thomas Henry Moray's "Radiant Energy" device. Burridge notes that while Moray's device is not accepted by science, over 200 people have witnessed demonstrations. He explains that the device is claimed to operate without external power sources, even when tested in remote locations. Moray reportedly derives energy from "oscillations" in space, described as "packages of seven" waves. The R-E unit is described as a box containing inductance coils, capacitors, and "cold tubes" (without heated filaments). The article suggests radioactive materials might be used. The device is not patented, with patent applications reportedly rejected for insufficient information. Burridge speculates whether R-E might be a clue to UAO technology.

AF ASKS FOR CORRECTION

Colonel John McCurdy of Holloman inquired about a short article in the September issue of APRO Bulletin mentioning a mission cancellation due to a hovering UFO. McCurdy stated there was no record of such an incident at White Sands or Range Control and asked for the source of information. APRO stated they could not divulge their source but affirmed the Air Force's stand that no such occurrence took place. The article notes that the UFO was picked up by ADC radar in Texas and relayed to Holloman, suggesting a lack of coordination within the Air Force.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include detailed reports of specific UAO sightings across the United States, with a particular focus on the Midwest and West Coast. There is a consistent emphasis on the need for scientific investigation and the collection of evidence, including photographic negatives. A significant theme is the perceived "silence policy" and "ridicule" employed by military and governmental authorities regarding UFO phenomena, which APRO actively seeks to challenge. The publication also explores speculative theories about UAO power sources, such as Moray's "Radiant Energy," and potential explanations for UAO behavior, including atmospheric conditions and even extraterrestrial origins. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry, data collection, and a critical view of official explanations, advocating for transparency and a serious consideration of the UAO phenomenon.