1975 00 00 SAGA Annual - John Keel - Little Men from Outer Space

Magazine Overview

This issue of SAGA, titled "LITTLE MEN FROM OUTER SPACE," delves into the phenomenon of flying saucer occupant sightings, focusing specifically on reports of small humanoids, often referred to as 'little men' or 'little green men' (LGMs). The magazine aims to bring attention to thousands of such reports that have historically been ignored or ridiculed by the scientific community. The cover features a stylized title and a faint image of a humanoid figure.

Historical Accounts of Humanoid Encounters

The article begins by recounting early reports, starting with Helene Smith in Geneva, Switzerland, on November 2, 1898. Smith, a contactee, described waking to an eerie reddish light and experiencing visions of three-foot-tall beings from another planet. These beings had small eyes and noses, large hands with long fingers, and traveled in peculiar vehicles. Her account was documented by psychologist Theodore Flournoy in 1900.

Further back, in 1866, an American named William Denton claimed contact with Venusians, describing saucer-shaped flying machines and reporting telepathic communication. The article notes that contactee reports from as early as 1850, 1846, and 1820 exist, with general agreement on the aliens having bronzed or reddish complexions, high cheekbones, oriental eyes, and long fingers. However, it contrasts this with ancient legends from Paiute Indians and South American tribes, who described tall, fair-skinned beings with long blonde hair.

Geographic Distribution and Patterns of Sightings

Ufologists are reportedly studying an enormous mass of documented 'creature sightings' from around the world. It is becoming apparent that Earth may be divided into zones, each associated with a specific type of UFO occupant. For instance, tall blond beings are said to prefer the western U.S., Argentina, and Brazil, while England has reports of beings with high foreheads, and Venezuela has incidents involving tiny, hairy humanoids. The northeastern U.S. is reportedly favored by five-foot, six-inch, dark-skinned oriental types. Thousands of occupant reports exist, though rarely publicized locally, covering diverse locales, witnesses, and descriptions.

An example cited is a UPI story from Mar Del Plata, Argentina, where police reportedly shot at three creatures aboard a flying saucer. The object, described as oval with short legs and flashing multicolor beams, was accompanied by beings about seven feet tall in silver uniforms. When the beings approached, the corporal fired a machine gun, but the creatures then used a light to overwhelm the officers before departing.

The article raises questions about the regularity of these events, such as why many occur on Wednesdays, and why 'flaps' (outbreaks of sightings) often stay within state boundaries. It also notes that in many contact cases, the ufonauts allegedly address witnesses by name, suggesting they are aware of human lives and may be from Earth itself.

The 'Little Man' Phenomenon

The 'little man' is presented as the most universally seen type of UFO occupant, despite bringing ridicule in the past. Russia's state newspaper Pravda reportedly ridiculed 'little men' reports in 1960, following an incident where villagers claimed 'tiny little men' emerged from a crashed UFO before it exploded. France and other parts of Europe also experienced 'little men' sightings in 1954. Tales of 'little men' in Ireland and Scandinavia go back centuries.

The 'little-men' population has reportedly been burgeoning in North and South America for 20 years. These creatures are often described with a greenish glow or wearing green coveralls, and sometimes accompanied by unpleasant odors. The U.S. Air Force was already weary of 'little green men' reports by 1955, with Capt. Robert White of Project Blue Book acknowledging the prevalence of such reports, even if he didn't believe them.

Startling cases are emerging of LGMs halting motorists to speak in their own language. The article questions the assumption that these beings are from Mars, suggesting they might be 'SMs' (Small Men) based in the oceans, as alluded to in the 'Varo Document.'

Investigating Hoaxes and Credible Cases

Author John A. Keel discusses the difficulty of verifying UFO reports and the skepticism faced when reporting hoaxes. He recounts investigating a story about a flying saucer landing in Bagley, Minnesota, in early 1967. However, the Bagley Chamber of Commerce, through Harpo Dexter, stated that no such incident occurred, though a lumberjack reported seeing a glowing object.

Keel then details his investigation into the Gaffney, South Carolina, case involving two police officers, Charles Hutchins and A. G. Huskey. Initially reported as a 'green complexion,' Hutchins later admitted this detail was added to mock the jeers they received. The officers encountered a metallic object descending, from which a four-foot-tall being emerged. This being, dressed in a shiny, buttonless, zipperless gold suit, spoke with them precisely and announced it would 'return in two days.' The object then departed with a whirring sound.

The Ronnie Hill Photograph

The article highlights an incident from July 21, 1967, involving Ronnie Hill, a 14-year-old boy in North Carolina. Hill reported noticing a strange odor and a 'sound of silence' before seeing a black, hat-like object and a white ball, about nine feet in diameter. A little man, about four feet tall, emerged from the white ball carrying a funnel-shaped black object. The being, described as having a bluish-green head, silver helmet, and a shiny metallic suit, interacted briefly before re-entering the craft, which then departed after a bright blue flare. The photograph taken by Hill, though marred by fogging (attributed to radiation from the object), is presented as the first photographic evidence of such an encounter. Affidavits from Hill's parents, teachers, and a Boy Scout leader corroborate his story.

Analysis and Speculation

Keel notes that in many 'little men' cases, the creatures behave in a controlled manner, sometimes delivering speeches in local languages, leading to speculation that they might be robots or controlled by unseen intelligence. Some cases involve raw, animal-like behavior, while others suggest the saucers themselves possess intelligence. The data available seems to disprove the theory that UFOs are solely products of advanced terrestrial technology.

An ongoing 'public relations' program is suggested, with reputable witnesses being approached in isolated areas. An incident in Caracas, Venezuela, on August 7, 1967, involved a little man entering Dr. Luis Sanches Vega's office and warning him about earthquakes.

Conclusion and Recurring Themes

The article concludes by stating that 'little men' from folklore are now actively seeking attention. What was once a joke in the 1950s ('Little men from Mars') is no longer being laughed at, as these beings are taking deliberate steps to be noticed. The recurring themes include the small stature of the beings, their unusual suits, precise speech, mysterious technology, and the tendency for encounters to occur in isolated areas with credible witnesses. The magazine emphasizes the need to take these reports seriously, despite the historical ridicule they have faced.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of SAGA strongly advocates for the reality of UFO phenomena and the existence of extraterrestrial beings, particularly the 'little men' type. The editorial stance is one of validation for witnesses who have been historically dismissed and ridiculed. The magazine presents numerous anecdotal accounts, investigative reports, and even photographic evidence to support its claims. It suggests a pattern of deliberate contact and potential communication, possibly as part of a larger, orchestrated campaign by non-human intelligences. The publication positions itself as a platform for these often-suppressed stories, urging readers to consider the implications of these encounters beyond the realm of science fiction.