Nexus - Whole No 06 - Vol 01 No 06 - 1954 12 99

Magazine Overview

NEXUS, Volume 6, Tome 1, dated December 1954, is a monthly magazine published in Fort Lee, New Jersey, by the Saucer and Unexplained Celestial Events Research Society (S.A.U.C.E.R.S.). The cover features a striking illustration of a woman in a futuristic costume standing before large, three-dimensional letters spelling 'NEXUS', with a curved, possibly spacecraft-like object in the background. The issue is priced at 35 cents.

Table of Contents

The issue includes a variety of articles and news items. Feature articles cover 'The Green Fireballs of the Southwest,' 'Invasion from Space,' 'The Phantom Caravan,' and 'Jersey City's Mystery Lights.' It also contains 'Current News Stories,' 'Letters to the Editor,' and 'Last Minute News.' The cover story is noted to depict a space girl who allegedly landed near Peekskill, New York, in February 1954, a story detailed in a copyrighted article in the September 1954 issue of 'The Saucerian.'

Important Notices

Extra copies of the October and November issues are available for 35 cents each or three for one dollar. Subscriptions that began with Tome 1, Book 3 (September issue) conclude with this December issue, and renewals are welcomed. The publication is edited by James W. Moseley, with Dominic Lucchesi as Art Editor and Richard Cohen as Associate Editor. Contributing editors include Dominic Lucchesi, John P. Bessor, and August Roberts. The subscription price is 35 cents per issue, $1.00 for four copies, or $3.00 per year. Correspondence should be addressed to NEXUS, P.O. Box 163, Fort Lee, New Jersey.

News Items

Witchcraft is Not Dead!

The magazine reports that witchcraft is still legally recognized in Massachusetts. A bill to exonerate Ann Pudeator, one of the individuals condemned in the 1667 Salem hysteria, was introduced but ultimately voted down by the Massachusetts State Legislature.

Voodoo Doctor Sentenced

In Miami, a 'voodoo doctor' who allegedly made $1200 a day selling charms was sentenced to two years in jail for using the mails to defraud.

Saucer Landings

This section details numerous reports of flying saucer sightings and landings, primarily from Europe, with a significant number from France. These include:

• Portugal: Reports of two aluminum-clad figures emerging from a saucer near Castel Branco.
• France (Perpignan): A retired customs official reported a large red sphere-shaped saucer landing, with a tall man in a diver's suit emerging briefly.
• France (Chaleix): Two men dressed in khaki landed in a saucer and petted a dog.
• France (Montlucon): A flying saucer pilot attempted to refuel a twelve-foot torpedo-shaped machine using French railroad facilities.
• France (Chateau-Neuf-du-Pape): The mayor issued a decree forbidding flying saucers to land, citing potential disturbance to public order.
• France (Britanny): An innkeeper offered $35,000 for a live Martian.
• France (Haute-Marne): A road mender saw a small, whiskered man exit a flying saucer.
• France (Lavoux): A Martian with brilliant eyes, a large mustache, wearing rubbers, and speaking Latin encountered a man.
• France (various locations): Other sightings reported in Jettinger, La Rochelle, Bergerac, Limoges, Breuil-Chausee, Charente, Lievin, and Maisoncelles.
• Yugoslavia: Saucers reported by astronomical observatories and airfields, leading to a government investigation.
• Lille, France: A miner confessed to building over 1000 'saucers' from grey paper and gasoline-soaked rags.
• Italy: Police charged 15 youths with spreading false rumors about Martian landings.
• USA (Upland, California): A witness described a cigar-shaped object, possibly a star, with streaks of sparks.
• USA (Los Angeles): A man reported a saucer landing in MacArthur Park, from which a small man in a white suit emerged, and a truck then removed the saucer and the man.

The Green Fireballs of the Southwest

This article, attributed to 'Dr. D.', an atomic scientist, discusses 'green fireballs' or 'green lights' reported in New Mexico. These are distinguished from 'flying saucers' by their straight-line travel, high speed, short duration, and lack of hovering. The author suggests these phenomena are not natural meteors but are likely caused by secret U.S. Government research at White Sands, New Mexico, involving the production of artificial meteors (fireballs) using V-2 rockets, as described in an article by Dr. Fritz Zwicky. The possibility of similar Soviet research in the Baltic Sea area is also mentioned. Dr. Lincoln LaPaz of Albuquerque is noted as believing the 'green fireballs' to be man-made.

Cigar-Shaped Stars, Yet!

This brief anecdote recounts an experience in Upland, California, where Alfred Berg saw an object in the sky that he described as more like a star, with streaks that could be sparks, and jokingly referred to it as cigar-shaped, dismissing it as a joke.

Invasion from Space

Written by Associate Editor Richard Cohen, this article posits that 'Space Visitors' are executing a multi-stage plan for the 'peaceful invasion' of Earth. The First Stage, occurring centuries ago, involved occasional sightings at high altitudes to acclimate humans. The Second Stage, currently underway, involves frequent landings of 'scout ships' as a response to humanity's rapid approach to self-destruction, particularly with the advent of atomic bombs. Cohen predicts hundreds more landings in the coming weeks and months. The ultimate goal is the Third Stage: a peaceful invasion by the 'Space Confederacy,' leading humanity to peace and happiness under their guidance, ideally before nuclear war erupts.

Outstanding Radar Sighting Made by Control Tower Operator

This article recounts a sighting from September 1951, where an Air Force control tower operator and a radar operator tracked an unidentified object. The object appeared on radar about 15 miles southwest of the base and remained stationary for about half an hour. A Globemaster aircraft was guided to investigate, but as it approached within half a mile, the object vanished instantaneously from the radar screen, covering over 35 miles without a trace, which the author deems impossible for any natural phenomenon.

Letters to the Editor

• Ted Bloecher questions the 'hysterical' attitude and geographical route references in a previous article, suggesting that researchers might unconsciously fit facts to their theories. He points out the difficulty in obtaining a complete listing of sightings and locations.
• William Risdon expresses a desire to become a member of the Saucer and Unexplained Celestial Events Research Society.

Air Force Admits Flying Saucers Are Real!

This section quotes a release from the Air Force stating their interest in unidentified flying objects (UFOs) as a potential threat and for technical aspects. The release notes that UFOs have not posed a threat to U.S. security but acknowledges the possibility that new air vehicles could be mistaken for UFOs by observers. Subscribers are directed to obtain Air Force Regulation No. 200-2 for more information.

Last Minute News

• France: Reports of two Basques seeing strange creatures next to a saucer-shaped machine, with humorous names for the individuals and location involved.
• France: A restaurant proprietor reported seeing a man emerge from a flying saucer who, when asked if he was a Martian, replied, 'No, I am French. Where am I?'
• USA (Los Angeles): A man reported a saucer landing in MacArthur Park, from which a small man in a white suit emerged, and a truck then removed both the saucer and the man. The witness withheld his name, fearing he would be considered crazy.

The Phantom Caravan

This reprinted story by John P. Bessor details alleged sightings of a spectral caravan of sixty covered wagons that vanished in June 1851. The caravan was reportedly sighted in the Gila River country (1867), the Painted Desert of Arizona (1872), near the Grand Canyon of Arizona (1886), and near Death Valley, California (1901). A detailed account from 1922 describes a Dr. MacNurlen witnessing the silent caravan making camp, with fires and people visible but no sound. He observed a sentinel being killed by an arrow, followed by a brief, silent battle. The next morning, the caravan was gone. A similar spectral wagon train was reportedly observed in South Africa.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of NEXUS revolve around the prevalence and significance of UFO sightings and landings, particularly in France and the USA. There's a strong undercurrent of belief in extraterrestrial visitors and their potential impact on humanity, ranging from scientific investigation ('Green Fireballs') to a more dramatic 'peaceful invasion' narrative. The magazine appears to present a wide array of anecdotal evidence, from radar sightings to eyewitness accounts of landings and strange phenomena. The editorial stance seems to be one of open investigation and reporting of these events, encouraging readers to consider the possibility of advanced non-human intelligence influencing or observing Earth. There's also a notable inclusion of news items on witchcraft and voodoo, suggesting a broader interest in unexplained or unconventional phenomena beyond just UFOs. The magazine actively solicits reader contributions and maintains a consistent publication schedule and subscription model.

This issue of "MYSTERY LIGHTS" (Page 11) from May 15th, 1952, features a photograph and story by August C. Roberts detailing the "Jersey City's Mystery Lights." The issue also includes a book review of Truman Betherum's "Aboard a Flying Saucer."

Jersey City's Mystery Lights

The article begins by recounting a local newspaper headline: "SEXTON DIES LOOKING FOR MYSTERY LIGHTS!" The story explains that since Good Friday, strange lights had been observed emanating from the belfry of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Jersey City. Matthew Guarino, the 64-year-old sexton, had gone to investigate these lights and was later found dead of a heart attack two levels below the belfry.

Intrigued, the author, August C. Roberts, along with fellow researchers Ted Bloecher and Marty Meyerson, visited St. Joseph's that night. Even before their arrival, Roberts observed two reflections on the belfry's ceiling, similar to those caused by a light shining on a glossy painted wall. By nighttime, the area around the church was crowded with thousands of people, described as being like "Saturday night in Times Square."

Roberts and his colleagues observed the lights, which were bright and constantly changing colors, including red, amber, green, tan, brown, and blue. The lights would occasionally become brighter, increasing the excitement of the crowd. While the police and newspapers attributed the lights to distant traffic lights, Roberts found this explanation unconvincing, given the distance and the nature of the reflections.

To investigate further, Roberts and his companions attempted to take photographs from the roof of a nearby garage, but were asked to move by the police. Roberts eventually set up his camera with a diffraction grating over the lens to analyze the intensity and composition of the lights, taking five photos.

Interviews with spectators revealed a range of beliefs, from the lights being an act of God to them being connected to flying saucers or a publicity stunt by the church. The author's friend, who investigated independently, confirmed the color changes synchronized with nearby traffic lights but could not explain the presence of other colors.

Roberts also learned that similar lights had been seen thirty years prior, causing public prayer vigils. His diffraction photographs, however, did not provide substantial help in explaining the phenomenon.

On another visit, Roberts observed that police had covered the belfry openings with canvas to deter crowds. The canvas had reportedly fallen down earlier that night, which, given the lack of wind, was considered a strange event by some.

In his opinion, Roberts suggests the lights could be a mere reflection, amplified by the public's imagination following the sexton's death. He speculates that Guarino's death might have been due to exertion, fear, or perhaps something he witnessed in the belfry. The article concludes by posing a rhetorical question about bravery in investigating unexplained phenomena alone, referencing Guarino's fate.

Book Review: Aboard a Flying Saucer

The issue includes a review of "Aboard a Flying Saucer" by Truman Betherum, published by New Age Publishing Company, Los Angeles. The book is described as relating Betherum's experiences as a California road worker who, in the summer of 1952, had eleven meetings with a flying saucer and its "beautiful female captain," Aura Rhanes.

Betherum recounts waking up one night to find eight or ten small men around his truck, who then led him to a saucer where he met Aura Rhanes. He learned about her and her home planet, Clarion, which is supposedly invisible from Earth and located directly behind the moon.

The review notes that Betherum was alone during his conversations with Rhanes, making it a personal-contact story relying solely on his word. He claims to have seen Rhanes on other occasions, but she did not speak to him. Betherum believes space visitors mingle unnoticed to learn customs, while Rhanes, unlike Adamski's space-man, spoke perfect English and also showed knowledge of French and Chinese.

The reviewer finds "Aboard a Flying Saucer" to have a ring of sincerity, though it points out an "astronomical absurdity" in the claim that a planet could be directly behind the moon at all times. The reviewer also humorously notes the attractiveness of the space-women and Betherum's wife's potential jealousy.

Overall, the book is considered enjoyable, with the reviewer leaving it to the reader to decide if it's an "over-active imagination" or a "true account of factual experience."

Next Issue Preview

The next issue will review "I Rode a Flying Saucer" by George W. Van Tassel.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue focuses on unexplained aerial phenomena, specifically the "mystery lights" in Jersey City, and explores the intersection of such sightings with human tragedy and public fascination. It also engages with the burgeoning genre of flying saucer literature through a book review, presenting both the purported sincerity of the accounts and critical analysis of their factual basis. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, acknowledging the possibility of strange occurrences while also grounding explanations in rational investigation and skepticism towards sensationalism, as seen in the author's analysis of the Jersey City lights and the book review's critique of astronomical claims.