The Roundhouse

Magazine Overview

'The Roundhouse' is a publication from Maquoketa, Iowa, with Vol. I, No. 3, dated June 9, 1953. It is described as a factual, non-profit, and non-sectarian publication issued in the interests of the 'Cup & Saucer Club' for the benefit of its members and interested individuals. The magazine is edited by Neal Kearney and the secretary is Mrs. Pearl Stoll.

Live Threads: Oleron, France Sighting (October 21, 1952)

This section details a remarkable event reported from Oleron, France. On October 21, 1952, a cigar-shaped object accompanied by a convoy of multi-colored discs was observed by numerous residents, including prominent local figures like Mr. Pardies, the principal of the local college, and Mr. Prigent, the chief inspector. The object emitted an unusual noise. As it moved, it left behind thousands of multi-colored circles that quickly dispersed. Subsequently, a large amount of threads emerged from the end of the airship, described as being like a puff of smoke. At 1 PM, the mysterious flying machine moved southwest, with the surrounding discs flying in a zigzag pattern, resembling Saturn's rings. Simultaneously, vaporous trails of smoke drifted to the ground, falling on trees like 'wool woven of nylon.'

A dentist, Dr. Balestra, was suddenly ensnared by these falling threads while on the main bridge near the college. He struggled frantically, like a trapped animal in a spider web, and witnesses were too afraid to approach. To free himself, Dr. Balestra cut the threads. The report notes that the radar at the airodrome of Mont-de-Marsan, about 85 miles away, recorded an unprecedented image for ten minutes on that day: a strange cloud that revolved on itself at approximately 6000 feet altitude. Chemical tests of the material from the threads indicated it was of organic origin, confirming the apparition but not explaining it.

Saucers Over Korea-1953 (April 18-19, 1953)

This report, dated April 19, 1953, details sightings by four U.S. Army airmen over communist territory on the Korean Western Front. On Sunday, April 18, they observed a small, 'white, rounded, delta-shaped object' flying at 60 to 80 miles per hour. An official intelligence report confirmed the sighting was made north of Porchop and Old Baldy Hills. Additionally, an unidentified officer from a frontline division reported other luminous objects traveling at super-sonic speeds of 800 miles per hour in the same area, tracked by radar. However, the official G-2 report did not mention these other incidents.

The aerial observers, flying in two separate planes on routine reconnaissance missions, estimated the object to be five to seven feet in diameter, with no clear idea of its depth or thickness. It was traveling between 60 and 80 miles per hour in a vibrating motion, with its course being north-northeast to south-southwest over enemy territory. Intelligence officers did not attempt to evaluate the report. The four airmen were pilots and observers of two light army planes. One pilot requested his name be withheld. The other witnesses were identified as Lt. Julius Morgan (pilot), Lt. James O. Rymus, and Lt. Jack E. Myers (observers). Flying objects had also been reported over Japan in recent months, tracked on radar and described as having a vibrating motion.

Arizona, Too. (March 9, 1953)

An Air Force Public Information Officer in Yuma, Arizona, reported that several officers had seen 'what looked like flying saucers hovering over the Air Defense Command Gunnery Meet.' Capt. Phillip Hiaring of Hamilton Air Force Base stated that the sightings were reported by more than 20 officers and civilians. Capt. Hiaring commented, 'It looks like someone from another planet is spying on our gunnery meet. We're trying to pin this down.' He also mentioned that a formation of a dozen or so disk-shaped objects was seen at a high altitude the previous Thursday. A civilian observer, G. W. Simpkins, Technical Representative of General Electric Corp., also saw them, stating, 'There must have been at least a dozen or so. I saw them very high to the northeast of Yuma Air Field. They broke toward the base at terrific speed. Then they hovered over the field and disappeared.' Air Force Public Relations men confirmed that there were likely nine to twelve objects, shaped like a sting ray, and they had no explanation for the sightings, nor were there any jet formations in the air at the time. All gathered information was sent to Air Force Headquarters in Washington.

Green Snow (April 9, 1953)

Near Dana, California, a blue-green phosphorescent snow fell. Weathermen suggested it might have been caused by recent atomic explosions in Nevada, but the Atomic Energy Commission stated it was not to blame. The snow was first reported by Milton Mayer, a salesman from Mount Shasta, California. He and his wife experienced a severe itch after inspecting it, with their hands tingling strangely and their eyes smarting and watering profusely. Weathermen in Dana believed the snow was 'possibly' an atomic reaction. However, scientists noted that the radioactive cloud from Nevada's most recent atomic explosion had moved over the Atlantic Ocean, practically in the opposite direction from California, at the time the strange snow fell.

Atomic Radiation and Hailstones (May 1, 1953)

In Austin, Texas, atomic radiation was ruled out as a factor in the mysterious death of a Texas child who ate hailstones. Three-year-old Ramiro Canales of San Antonio consumed several hailstones that fell in his yard and died five days later, on April 23, after a major atomic blast near Las Vegas, Nevada. A police dispatcher who bit into one of the hailstones became sick, and a police sergeant reported his five-year-old son ate several and became ill. An autopsy failed to determine the cause of death. Rumors suggested that atomic radiation had poisoned the hail, but this was disproved by a Geiger counter test conducted by the state laboratory on the child's stomach contents and a jar of melted hailstones. The San Antonio Health Department was awaiting more information.

Picnic Announcement

The magazine includes an announcement for a picnic supper at the cabin on the Wapsie on June 9 at 7 PM. It is a potluck, with coffee provided, but attendees are asked to bring their own table service. A map is mentioned as being on the next page to show how to get there. The announcement humorously suggests it would be nice to entice a saucer to hover above the cabin for a landmark.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of 'The Roundhouse' focuses heavily on unexplained aerial phenomena, with detailed accounts of UFO sightings in France and Korea, as well as in Arizona. It also explores unusual atmospheric events like the 'green snow' and touches upon the potential dangers of atomic radiation, even in the context of seemingly unrelated events like hailstones. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting these phenomena factually, while acknowledging the lack of definitive explanations. The publication is positioned as a non-profit, non-sectarian outlet for those interested in these topics, aiming to provide information to its members. The magazine also announces a shift in publication frequency, moving to every two weeks or once a month, specifically on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, citing a potential lack of news or a need to consolidate information.