Magazine Summary

HOUSTON SKY

Magazine Issue Houston Sky 1950s–1990s

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Summary

Overview

This issue of HOUSTON SKY, a newsletter for MUFON members, leads with the detailed account of the 1980 Cash-Landrum incident in Texas, where three individuals allegedly suffered radiation-like symptoms after encountering a large UFO and numerous helicopters. The newsletter also includes a first-person account from former astronaut Deke Slayton about his 1951 UFO sighting, a report on recent activity regarding the Roswell Declaration, and a review of George Knapp's 'UFOs: The Best Evidence' video series. It highlights witness testimonies and discusses government involvement and cover-ups.

Magazine Overview

HOUSTON SKY is a bimonthly newsletter for Houston-Area MUFON members and others, with the first issue dated October/November 1994. Its goal is to foster networking, raise awareness about MUFON, and promote a positive image of the UFO community. The newsletter is distributed free to MUFON members and available by subscription to others.

Night Terror in Texas: The Cash-Landrum Story

This feature article, written by John F. Schuessler, details the alleged 1980 encounter of Betty Cash, Vickie Landrum, and Colby Landrum with a large, diamond-shaped unidentified flying object (UFO) and a fleet of helicopters in East Texas. The witnesses reported that the UFO moved in ways that defied known aerodynamics and that the encounter was followed by severe physical ailments, including skin burns, vomiting, and diarrhea, which the author attributes to radiation exposure. Schuessler criticizes the government's denial of knowledge and the subsequent denial of a damage claim filed on behalf of the victims, suggesting a cover-up. He posits that the object was not a secret military aircraft but an unknown UFO, possibly not operated by human pilots. The article also mentions a recent effort to file a second claim against the U.S. government.

Roswell Report

This section discusses the growing momentum of the "Roswell Declaration," an initiative aimed at declassifying government information about UFOs. It notes that the Declaration has been endorsed by major UFO organizations and published in various media, including Omni magazine. The initiative was also mentioned on Larry King's UFO special.

Flashback: Park Place, Texas—1968

This short piece recounts a UFO sighting from 1968 by D. E. Reigard, who observed three bright white lights in a triangular formation that circled and then ascended rapidly out of sight. The sighting occurred near Ellington Air Force Base.

Alvin Man Sees Unearthly Lights in Night Sky Over Dickinson

This reprinted article from the Galveston County Daily News reports on an unidentified man in Alvin, Texas, who witnessed strange lights changing colors and shooting into the stars. The lights were observed by a group of people and were not identified by local authorities or the National Weather Service.

Deke! An Excerpt

This excerpt from the autobiography "Deke!" by Donald Slayton (with Michael Cassutt) details Slayton's personal UFO encounter in 1951 over Hastings, Minnesota. While serving as a maintenance officer for the Air Guard, Slayton observed a white object that he initially mistook for a kite or weather balloon but which then moved at an incredible speed and angle of ascent. He reported the incident to Intelligence but received no further information. Slayton expresses uncertainty about the object's nature, considering possibilities ranging from a weather balloon to something unknown.

16th Century UFO

This brief item reports on a manuscript found in Italy detailing a 16th-century sighting of a "strange disc, changing from yellow to red, and with red fireballs shining beneath it."

Worth Repeating: The Roswell Declaration: Toward a Common Goal

This excerpt, attributed to Kent Jeffrey, argues for an Executive Order to declassify all information regarding UFOs or extraterrestrial intelligence, stating that government assurances or denials are often meaningless and that transparency is needed to determine the truth.

Confessions of a UFO Kook—Part 1

This piece, by Vince Johnson, describes the experience of attending the 1994 MUFON International Symposium in Austin, Texas, highlighting the sense of community and shared interest among attendees.

The Truth Is Out There

This short quote from David Duchovny, discussing the TV show "The X-Files," emphasizes the show's aim to bridge physics and metaphysics, science and poetry.

Review: "UFOs: The Best Evidence"

David C. Mayo reviews George Knapp's video series "UFOs: The Best Evidence." Mayo praises the series for its investigative approach, presenting evidence of government denials and the phenomenon's reality, particularly concerning alien abductions and cattle mutilations. He recommends the series for those seeking to understand the UFO phenomenon and convince skeptics.

Of Interest

This section provides contact information for various UFO-related organizations and events in the Houston area and elsewhere, including CERN, HUFON, and VISIT meetings, as well as conferences on extraterrestrial contact.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes the idea that UFOs are a real phenomenon, often suppressed or denied by government agencies. There is a strong emphasis on witness testimony and the importance of declassifying information. The editorial stance appears to be pro-investigation and open to various interpretations of UFO events, while also acknowledging the need for scientific rigor and evidence. The publication aims to serve as a platform for sharing information and fostering discussion within the UFO community.

My position is, I don't know what it was: it was unidentified. Maybe what I saw was that company's weather balloon—maybe the object going four thousand miles an hour to these guys on the ground was me. Maybe there was something about the environment and the setup that confused me. I don't know. Or it could have been something unknown.

— Donald Slayton

Key Incidents

  1. 1980-12-29near Huffman, Texas

    Three witnesses, Betty Cash, Vickie Landrum, and Colby Landrum, encountered a large, diamond-shaped UFO and numerous helicopters, after which they experienced radiation-like symptoms.

  2. 1968Park Place, Texas

    A 12-year-old boy and his friend observed three bright white lights in a triangular formation approaching and then ascending rapidly.

  3. 1994-08-02Dickinson, Texas

    An unidentified man reported seeing two lights change color and shoot up into the stars, lasting 20 minutes and observed by about 50-60 people.

  4. 1951Hastings, Minnesota

    Then-Air Guard Captain Donald Slayton encountered a white object at high altitude that moved like a kite but then ascended rapidly at a steep angle.

  5. 1558Italy

    Peasants reported seeing a 'strange disc, changing from yellow to red, and with red fireballs shining beneath it'.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Cash-Landrum incident?

The Cash-Landrum incident is a 1980 event in East Texas where three individuals, Betty Cash, Vickie Landrum, and Colby Landrum, encountered a large UFO and numerous helicopters, after which they reportedly suffered radiation-like symptoms.

Who is John F. Schuessler?

John F. Schuessler is the lead investigator of the Cash-Landrum case and a 30-year veteran of UFO investigations. He is a founding member of MUFON and its Deputy Director for Administration.

What is the Roswell Declaration?

The Roswell Declaration is an initiative that calls for the U.S. government to declassify information related to UFOs or extraterrestrial intelligence, gaining momentum since October of the previous year.

What was Deke Slayton's UFO experience?

In 1951, while serving as an Air Guard maintenance officer, Donald Slayton encountered a white object that moved like a kite but then ascended rapidly at a high angle of attack, disappearing from view.

In This Issue

People Mentioned

  • John F. Schuesslerlead investigator
  • Betty Cashvictim
  • Vickie Landrumvictim
  • Colby Landrumvictim
  • Kevin Randleauthor
  • D. E. Reigardwitness
  • Chris Williamsreporter
  • Ben Thomasonoperations officer
  • Donald Slaytonformer astronaut
  • Michael Cassuttco-author
  • Bob Gribblecolumnist
  • J. Allen Hynekprofessor
  • +8 more

Organisations

  • MUFON
  • Mutual UFO Network
  • Center for UFO Studies
  • Fund for UFO Research
  • Society for Scientific Exploration
  • Omni magazine
  • International UFO Library
  • Disney
  • National Weather Service
  • Coast Guard Air Station
  • NASA
  • U.S. government
  • Air Force
  • CE CHRONICLES
  • +5 more

Locations

  • East Texas, USA
  • Huffman, USA
  • Texas, USA
  • Houston, USA
  • East Texas Piney Woods, USA
  • Gulf of Mexico, USA
  • Roswell, USA
  • Park Place, USA
  • Ellington Air Force Base, USA
  • Dickinson, USA
  • Galveston County, USA
  • League City, USA
  • Minnesota, USA
  • Hastings, USA
  • +6 more

Topics & Themes

UFOsCash-Landrum IncidentGovernment Cover-upMilitary OperationsWitness TestimonyUFOCash-LandrumTexas1980night sightinghelicoptersdiamond-shaped UFOradiation sicknessJohn F. SchuesslerMUFONDeke SlaytonRoswell DeclarationUFO investigationwitness accounts