Ohio UFO Notebook - No 21 - 2000

Magazine Overview

Title: Ohio UFO Notebook
Issue: Number 21
Volume: Year 2000 Membership Issue
Publisher: Mutual UFO Network of Ohio
Publication Country: USA
Language: English
Date: 2000

This issue of the Ohio UFO Notebook, published by the Mutual UFO Network of Ohio, focuses heavily on UFO and abduction cases from Africa. The subscription price is $20 for four issues or $10 for two issues. Contact information for MUFON of Ohio's Secretary and Treasurer, Wendy Ban, and MUFON of Ohio's web site are provided.

Highlights From an African Case Book by Cynthia Hind

This article presents several UFO-related incidents from Africa, emphasizing that these cases are often untarnished by Western media influence. The author questions whether global messages can be transmitted across different languages and cultures.

The Danie van Graan Case (South Africa, 1975)

Danie van Graan, a farmer in Loxton, South Africa, witnessed a landed aluminium trailer-like craft in his sheep enclosure on July 31, 1975. He observed four small, thin, pale occupants, about 1.5 meters tall, wearing cream-coloured overalls with hoods. They had fair hair, slanting eyes, high cheekbones, and pointed chins. The craft emitted a low, intermittent humming sound. When Danie approached, a bright beam of light hit him, causing him to feel ill and disoriented, and his nose began to bleed. The craft then took off at a 45° angle at high speed. Post-event, Danie suffered from double vision and 'lazy eye'. The landing site, approximately two meters in diameter, showed no growth for about 18 months. Police documented five tine marks, and Danie estimated the machine's diameter at about 10 meters. Soil samples from the site showed a high acidic content. Another witness, Jan van der Westhuizen, heard the humming sound but did not investigate. A young woman, Meitjie Devenish, and her son also saw the craft but later became untraceable after moving to Cape Town. The author notes that Danie van Graan died of cancer a short time after their last visit, speculating if the light beam was a warning sign due to radiation.

The Bruce Mangauzani Case (Africa)

This case involves a man who believed he was visited by a malevolent ghost, which appeared as a hooded form. The author notes the difficulty in interpreting paranormal phenomena in Africa due to diverse cultures.

The Phyllis and Diane Abduction (Johannesburg, South Africa, 1988)

Phyllis and her daughter Diane reported an abduction experience on July 19, 1988. They were driving home at 3:30 a.m. when a bright light enveloped their car. They were led up a ramp into a craft by a male and female entity. Inside, they were examined with a knitting-needle-like instrument. Diane was given a blood sample and a yellow plaster that melded with her skin. The entities, one named Me-lee-lah, who was the commander, had no hair and cat-like eyes. They showed the women a map of Earth and predicted a "world cataclysm" affecting South Africa with high waves, and also mentioned a war between the United States and the Middle East, and AIDS as a scourge. The women experienced a missing time of about 24 hours. The entities' predictions were made in July 1988.

UFO Crash Stories and Hoaxes

The author discusses an alleged UFO crash near Johannesburg in the 1950s, which she could not verify. She also details a hoax by James van Greunen regarding a UFO crash on the Botswana/South African border in May 1989, which involved forged documents. Another alleged crash story from Lerible, Lesotho, in 1996 is also mentioned, with the author recognizing van Greunen's involvement due to the use of non-South African names for military figures.

The Ariel School Incident (Ruwa, Zimbabwe, 1994)

On September 16, 1994, at Ariel School in Ruwa, Zimbabwe, 62 children witnessed several disc-like objects land. Two small beings, about one meter tall, with long black hair, shiny black suits, large heads, small noses, and rugby-ball-shaped eyes, emerged. They ran in slow motion in the bushes. The event lasted about five minutes. The headmaster, Colin Mackie, had the children draw what they saw. Some children reported a flute-like sound or a whirring noise upon landing, and a strong wind. Dr. Helmut Lammer suggested that viewing from another time factor could explain the slow-motion movement. The children also noted dead ants in the bush area where the beings had been.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores UFO sightings, alleged alien encounters, and abductions, with a focus on physical evidence and witness testimony. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these phenomena, presenting detailed case studies from various locations, particularly Africa. There is an acknowledgment of the challenges in verifying such events and the potential for hoaxes, but the primary focus remains on documenting and analyzing the reported experiences. The issue also includes elements of predictive prophecy attributed to alien entities.

This issue of the Ohio UFO Notebook, identified as Number 21 and the Year 2000 Membership Issue, delves into two distinct aspects of ufology: a detailed scientific analysis of a historical UFO incident and personal reflections on the study of UFOs from a teacher's perspective.

The Delphos, Kansas Incident: Soil Analysis

The core of the issue features an in-depth report titled "Analysis of Soil Samples Related to the Delphos, Kansas November 2, 1971 Event" by Phyllis A. Budinger, Analytical Scientist. The report revisits the Delphos, Kansas CE2 encounter, which occurred on November 2, 1971. The incident involved a 16-year-old, Ron Johnson, who witnessed a mushroom-shaped object, approximately nine feet in diameter with multicolored lights, hovering about two feet off the ground. The object emitted a sound like "an old washing machine" and temporarily blinded Ronald with a bright light before departing.

Witnesses, including Ron's entire family, observed a "glowing ring on the ground" at the site where the UFO had hovered, along with luminescence on nearby trees. Ron's parents experienced numbing effects upon touching the ring, and the soil was described as feeling strange, like a slick crust, as if crystallized. Investigators noted the soil was impermeable to water and "dry to a depth of at least one foot," with a foul odor reported by some.

Soil samples, collected two months after the event by Ted Phillips and preserved for 27 years, were analyzed using advanced techniques. The objective was to build on initial analysis done by Erol Faruk in the 1970s. The analysis aimed to identify residues from the ring soils. The tests included elemental analysis, X-ray spectroscopy, diffraction, infrared analysis, gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, and ultraviolet spectroscopy.

Conclusions from the analysis include:

• Release of Material: There was a definite release of material, most probably deposited as an aqueous solution. This non-volatile material coats the soil's surface, imparting a hydrophobic effect and amounts to approximately 2-3 wt.% of the ring soil.
• Humic Substance: The predominant component is humic substance, specifically appearing to be fulvic acid, which resembles mull type humus. This material coats the soil surface, initially imparting a hydrophobic effect that solubilizes upon agitation with water.
• Physical Effects: Calcium oxalate and oxalic acid, found in the ring soil, are known skin and eye irritants and could account for the physical effects suffered by witnesses. It is suspected that calcium oxalate was deposited as free oxalic acid and combined with calcium in the ground.
• Chemiluminescence: Humic substances in the presence of oxalate derivatives and a catalyst like hydrogen peroxide may have caused the "glowing ring" effect.
• Odor: The presence of sulfide/mercaptan could explain any obnoxious odor reported from the ring soils.
• Temperature: The ring soil was not exposed to high temperatures.
• UFO Source: The analysis neither proves nor rules out a UFO source. Natural products like humates are used in fertilizer and for toxic metal removal, suggesting extraterrestrial life might use them, possibly as waste products.
• Oxalic Acid Speculation: A colleague speculated that the high concentration of oxalic acid might originate from exhaust from a low-temperature ionization or combustion engine using elemental carbon as fuel, which is safely transportable and has high energy density. It is recommended that future ring sites be assayed for oxalic acid and other low molecular weight acetic components.
• Barnyard Soil Counter-Argument: The theory that the release represents "well seasoned barnyard soil" is countered by the lack of significant concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, urea, uric acid, and ammonium components typical of animal waste. Only fulvic acid predominates.

Ted Phillips, the original investigator, is currently writing an in-depth report that will include this analytical information.

Investigating UFOs: Lessons From a Teacher and Mentor

This section features a talk given by Jennie Zeidman on November 6, 1999, at a meeting of MUFON of Ohio. Zeidman shares her experiences with two influential "close encounters" of the teacher kind: Professor Cedric Hesthal and Dr. J. Allen Hynek.

Cedric Hesthal and the Nature of Proof:

Zeidman recounts her time as a student in Hesthal's General Studies in Physics and Astronomy courses at The Ohio State University in 1951. Hesthal, a gruff but brilliant professor, taught courses that emphasized the "Nature of Proof" and the search for truth. Daily quizzes required students to categorize statements based on whether they were "Justified by the data alone," "Probably true from the data and your information," "Uncertain from the data and your information," "Probably false," or "Contradicted by the data alone." Zeidman illustrates this with an example about the moon's hidden hemisphere, where her assumption of similarity to the visible side was incorrect, highlighting the need for factual evidence over logical assumptions.

J. Allen Hynek and the Study of Flying Saucers:

Zeidman later took J. Allen Hynek's Astronomy 500 class in 1952. Hynek, known for his work as a consultant for the Air Force on flying saucers, aimed to educate students to identify misinterpretations of natural events. During a class field trip to the Perkins Observatory, the class observed what Zeidman initially described as "many points of white light, fixed within the boundaries of an ellipse, traveling as a unit, slowly, silently." Zeidman, a private pilot, identified the object as a KC-97 StratoTanker returning from a refueling mission, demonstrating the importance of applying one's own information and data.

Zeidman also recounts her experience as a teaching assistant for Hynek's Astronomy 500 course in January 1953. She describes Hynek's involvement with the Robertson Panel in Washington, D.C., where he hoped for a serious scientific investigation into UFOs. However, Hynek was relegated to the hallway during sessions, leading to his confusion and unhappiness, as he realized he was not privy to all the facts regarding UFOs.

Other Content

• Children's Messages: The first article mentions children receiving telepathic "messages" from "little men," warning against polluting the planet and expressing concern about becoming "too technologised."
• Cynthia Hind's Perspective: Cynthia Hind, writing from Harare, Zimbabwe, expresses difficulty in gaining confidence from witnesses but emphasizes the value of follow-ups. She notes that while ghosts are part of African culture, disc-like craft and aliens are not, and questions the incuriosity of scientists regarding UFO phenomena.
• Letters to the Editor: A letter from Cynthia Hind is included, along with contact information.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue strongly emphasizes the importance of rigorous scientific investigation and the critical distinction between factual evidence and subjective interpretation or assumption. The Delphos case analysis highlights the use of advanced scientific methods to examine physical evidence from a UFO encounter. Jennie Zeidman's reflections underscore the necessity of critical thinking, data-driven conclusions, and the role of mentors in shaping one's understanding of complex phenomena like UFOs. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, advocating for serious scientific study of unexplained aerial phenomena while maintaining a skeptical yet evidence-based approach. There is also a recurring theme of the public's disbelief in unusual experiences, as noted in the account of children not being believed by their parents.

This issue of UFO Magazine, Volume 16, Issue 4, dated November 1999, with a cover price of $4.95, focuses on "ALIEN SHOCK: THE ENCOUNTER PHENOMENON OVERSEAS." The magazine delves into a variety of international UFO sightings, abductions, and alleged alien-human encounters, alongside historical perspectives on UFO investigations and government involvement.

The Hynek Consultancy and Project Blue Book

The issue begins with a personal account of working with J. Allen Hynek, a key figure in Project Blue Book. The author recounts Hynek's role as an astronomer hired to analyze UFO reports, his background in classified research, and the operational procedures of his consultancy. The reports, often received via courier from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, ranged from misidentifications of celestial bodies to high-strangeness cases. The author notes that Blue Book rarely followed up on information requests, necessitating self-initiated investigations. The Blue Book facility itself is described as rudimentary. The author also reveals that their work was funded by "laundered money" through Battelle, a contractor whose involvement was kept secret to obscure the UFO research.

Battelle's Secretive Role and Project Stork

Further investigation reveals that Battelle was the contractor, with funding ultimately tied to the Air Force and potentially the CIA. Battelle's UFO work was hidden within the highly classified Project Stork, whose primary mission was to ascertain the Soviet Union's technological warfare capabilities. Battelle staff reportedly disliked the UFO work, viewing it as a distraction from their main objective. Art Westerman, a senior Battelle figure, expressed significant concern about the implications of UFOs.

The Roswell Debris and Battelle Theory

The author proposes a theory that the Roswell debris might have been analyzed at Battelle, given its status as a premier metallurgical research facility with government and security connections. Despite ongoing investigation, a definitive link remains elusive.

Hynek's Later Years and Frustration

By 1956, Hynek moved to Harvard for satellite tracking work. The author continued to communicate with him, noting Hynek's intellectual curiosity but also his deep frustration, particularly after the 1966 swamp-gas incident. Hynek felt forced to compromise his scientific integrity by the Air Force's handling of the situation. The author concludes that Hynek died a bitter man, suggesting that if the government didn't know the truth about UFOs, they were incompetent, but if they did know (implying Roswell), their actions were part of a decades-long effort to hide the truth.

Ufology and the Search for Truth

The author reflects on 47 years in ufology, lamenting that many people fail to differentiate between assumptions and facts. The article critiques a MUFON figure, Bob Gribble, for his dogmatic stance on alien visitation. It also calls for better standards in UFO investigation and data evaluation, proposing the Hesthal classifications as a framework.

Alien Shock: The Encounter Phenomenon Overseas

This section, authored by Scott Corrales, shifts focus to international cases, particularly from the 1990s. It contrasts the focus on abductions with "traditional" encounters.

Victims of Alien Perfidy?

The article highlights the perils faced by experiencers, challenging the notion that UFO occupants are solely benevolent. The case of Heriberto Garza in Puebla, Mexico (1972) is detailed, where he experienced encounters leading to blood extraction and the development of strange nipples on his abdomen, suggesting alien hybridization. Garza later disappeared, and his case became impossible to study further.

The Insanity Rap

Luis Ramirez Reyes, a Mexican UFO researcher, is introduced. His work includes the case of "Pedro," who in 1988 witnessed a saucer landing near Mexico City and encountered short, grey-clad creatures. Pedro later suffered seizures, was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and committed to a mental health facility where he claims he was drugged to make him appear insane. His release was facilitated by his companion revealing the incident.

Less Than Human

Another case investigated by Ramirez involves an anonymous cosmetics saleswoman in Mexico (early 1993) who experienced "missing time" and subsequently gave birth to a bizarre, reptilian-like creature. This case is presented as potential evidence for human-non-human hybridization.

Across the Sea to Spain

The article recounts Spain's first recorded UFO abduction: Prespera Mucoz in Jumilla (1947), who was taken aboard a craft and had a "micro device inserted into her neck." Later, in Gran Canaria, nurse Judith experienced abduction and "bedroom visitations." Investigator Josep Guijarro reported witnessing a short, large-headed creature during a stakeout, noting paranormal phenomena like fluctuating TV volume and chanting.

A UFO Fright Night?

This section focuses on Argentina's UFO cases, particularly the 1965 flap. It details the terrifying experience of Carlos Souriou, who, along with farmhands, encountered "midgets" that rapidly grew to over seven feet tall. These entities emitted beams of light and physically restrained Souriou's brother. The incident caused immense fear, with some farmhands refusing to return to the site. The author emphasizes the negative effects of human involvement with the UFO phenomenon, citing cases like Garza's metamorphosis and the Souriou brothers' encounter as examples of "alien perfidy."

The McCoy Tape

Authored by Wendy Connors, this section discusses Colonel Howard M. McCoy, Commanding General of T-2 Intelligence at Wright Field in 1947. Project SIGN, the USAF's first official UFO investigation, concluded that UFOs were extraterrestrial in origin. However, General Vandenberg ordered this conclusion destroyed due to political and career concerns. Following retirement, McCoy joined NICAP. A transcript of a 1966 meeting includes McCoy's cryptic input on the contactee movement, suggesting that military occupations always involve agents sent ahead, implying a parallel with UFO investigations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently emphasizes the darker, more negative aspects of UFO encounters, termed "alien perfidy." It critiques the overly optimistic "contactee" narratives and highlights cases involving fear, physical harm, and potential hybridization. The magazine also scrutinizes government secrecy and the methodologies of UFO investigations, advocating for more rigorous standards and a critical approach to evidence. The editorial stance appears to favor a skeptical yet open-minded examination of UFO phenomena, acknowledging the possibility of genuine extraterrestrial involvement while cautioning against wishful thinking and highlighting the potential dangers and deceptions associated with the subject.

This issue of the magazine, titled "ROSWELL SPACECRAFT HELPED DEVELOP OUR SPY PLANES" and attributed to George A. Filer, Director of Mutual UFO Network Eastern Division, delves into the controversial theory that technology recovered from the 1947 Roswell incident significantly influenced the development of advanced U.S. military aircraft. The content includes insights from aviation artists and former aerospace engineers, alongside several contemporary UFO sighting reports.

Roswell Spacecraft and Spy Plane Development

The central article, written by George A. Filer, presents claims from aviation artist William M. McDonald. McDonald states that John Andrews, a former Lockheed engineer, personally confirmed a design connection between the Roswell spacecraft and modern Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles (UCAVs), spy planes, Joint Strike Fighters, and Space Shuttles. The article draws parallels between the Roswell craft's design features, such as inward-canted vertical stabilizers and wing-to-fuselage blends, and those found in aircraft like the F-117 Nighthawk, TR-3A 'Black Manta,' and the SR-71 Blackbird, all products of Kelly Johnson's 'Skunk Works.'

According to the article, Andrews conveyed that Ben Rich, Kelly Johnson's successor, confirmed that two types of UFOs exist: those built by humans and those built by 'THEY.' The U.S. government, it is claimed, learned from both crash retrievals and 'hand-me-downs.' Information from the Roswell craft, including its hull design, aerodynamics, and propulsion, was allegedly passed to Jack Northrop and Kelly Johnson starting in 1950, and further data was transferred from Wright Patterson AFB in 1952. This item was reportedly the basis for Kelly Johnson's U-2 spy plane variant.

Ben Rich is quoted as having a negative impression of 'factions' from 'out there,' viewing them as a threat. He also reportedly believed the public could not handle the truth about UFOs and that disclosure should be avoided. However, towards the end of his life, Rich allegedly began to feel that an 'international corporate board of directors' involved with the subject posed a greater threat to personal freedoms than the extraterrestrial presence itself.

UFO Sighting Reports

The issue features several detailed UFO sighting reports:

• Columbus, OH (November 18, 1999): A police officer and his ride-along observed a dark, triangular object, similar in shape to an F-117 Stealth Fighter, making a banking turn. The object was silent, appeared to have a camouflaged underside, and was larger than a police helicopter. Despite attempts to verify with air traffic control, no unusual radar contacts were reported.
• Columbus, OH (November 18, 1999): Another sighting in Columbus described a grey shadow, wing-shaped or triangular, moving silently across the sky. Lighter markings, possibly camouflage, were noted on its dark grey surface.
• Lima, OH (November 21, 1999): A sphere-shaped craft, described as mirror-like, was seen moving slowly near mile marker 117. It randomly emitted light that illuminated the ground, and its movement was characterized by the reflection of the ground. The object eventually moved north over trees and disappeared.
• Middletown, OH (November 16, 1999): A large, silent, pale green triangular object, resembling a cone on its side, was observed moving slowly over the city. The witness described it as a giant piece of machinery and noted an unusual number of planes in the area afterward. Police suggested it was a meteor shower.

Other Features and Information

• Letters to MUFON of Ohio: Herb Taylor recounts a story from a Vietnam veteran who witnessed a classified government craft resembling a 'lighted pizza pie,' suggesting that such craft have long existed.
• Ray Fowler: Discusses the challenges of selling UFO books, noting a decline in publisher interest and a glut of existing titles. He mentions his own upcoming memoir.
• Jenny Randles: Reports a drop in UFO book sales in the UK and is exploring other writing genres. She offers her book 'UFO Crash Landing' at a reduced price.
• Jan Aldrich: Posts a message to the Project 1947 list expressing frustration with the lack of professionalism in ufology, arguing against demands for perfect institutional norms in an unfunded, non-credentialed field, and encouraging a more professional approach.
• The Ohio State University UFO Collection: William E. Jones is establishing a permanent UFO research collection at the university library, seeking foreign publications, newsletters, journals, and books to preserve UFO literature for future generations.
• Element 114: A brief report notes that Russian physicists have created element 114, which lasted for 30 seconds, and anticipates the creation of element 115.
• Silent Helicopters: Recommends an article from Jane's Defence Weekly about 'disappearing helicopters,' acknowledging rumors of silent black helicopters entering UFO lore.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the technological implications of UFO phenomena, particularly the alleged reverse-engineering of extraterrestrial craft to advance human aerospace capabilities. There is a strong undercurrent of government secrecy and the potential threat posed by unknown entities. The editorial stance, as reflected in the articles and letters, appears to be one of serious inquiry into UFO phenomena, acknowledging both the scientific and the potentially unsettling aspects of the subject, while also addressing the practical challenges within the ufology community itself. The inclusion of multiple sighting reports suggests a commitment to documenting and analyzing contemporary UFO events.