Saucer News - Whole Number 25 - Vol 04 No 05 - 1957 08-09

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER NEWS
Issue: VOLUME 4, NUMBER 5 (Whole Number 25)
Date: AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 1957
Publisher: SAUCER AND UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Editor: JAMES W. MOSELEY

This issue of SAUCER NEWS presents a variety of content related to flying saucers and unexplained celestial events, reflecting the ongoing interest and research in the field during the 1950s. The cover features an artist's rendition of a futuristic flying saucer, with accompanying text detailing its potential design and capabilities, including a speed of 25,000 miles per hour and an atomic reactor for power. The magazine also includes a table of contents listing editorial notes, recent news stories, book reviews, and a feature article.

Editorial Notes

The editorial section announces that Issue #5 of the non-scheduled Confidential Newsletter is being mailed with this issue of SAUCER NEWS to subscribers. It also provides instructions for those who wish to be added to the Newsletter mailing list. The editor references a past article from the April 1955 issue titled "Mystery on the Peruvian Desert," which was based on a booklet by archeologist Maria Reiche. Additional copies of this booklet are now available for purchase through S.A.U.C.E.R.S. Headquarters. The notes also inform readers that no renewal notices will be sent, and those with an asterisk (*) on their envelope will receive this as their last issue unless they renew.

Book Reviews

Saucer Diary by Israel Norkin: Reviewed by James W. Moseley, this book is described as the author's diary of his correspondence and experiences with flying saucers. It includes letters from notable figures in the field and details Norkin's unsuccessful attempt to get his book published by a New York publisher, eventually leading him to publish it at his own expense. The review is critical, stating that the book contributes "nothing whatsoever even to the 'lunatic fringe' branch of Saucerology."

The Coming of the Space Ships by Gavin Gibbons: Also reviewed by James W. Moseley, this book, published in England, is considered to be on a "somewhat higher plane" than "Saucer Diary." While the author is described as educated, his contribution is deemed not particularly noteworthy. The book reportedly contains a large number of British sightings new to American readers but largely rehashes existing material. It also includes the author's personal sightings.

Feature Article

Diagnosis: A Case of Chronic Fright - by Y. N. Ibn Aharon: This article critically examines the methods of George Hunt Williamson, a fellow saucer researcher, particularly his recruitment tactics for a "Peruvian colony." The author suggests that Williamson is primarily interested in fabricating informational sources to engender fear, thereby serving his own personality ends. The article delves into Williamson's predictions of doom, which the author claims lack adequate foundation. It highlights an alleged alliance between Williamson and "Professor" George Adamski in mid-1952, supported by recovered letters. One letter, dated October 16, 1952, from Williamson to a friend in Guatemala City (identified as W.W.), discusses "Oahspe" and claims "Space Friends" are aware of it, urging W.W. to come to Arizona for an imminent landing. The letter also mentions a potential catastrophe before December 1st and references biblical prophecies.

A second letter from George (dated October 22, 1952) to W. discusses working with Professor Adamski and the possibility of phone tapping. It mentions a direct landing expected shortly after the November 4th elections, followed by a catastrophe around December 1st, which could be averted if the world "wakes up." The letter emphasizes that the "Saucerians" will not use force to prevent it. It also references "Oahspe" and states that the philosophy of the "Chief" is identical to what they are receiving. The letter suggests that after the catastrophe, the "Saucerians" will help humanity begin again, and some will travel to other planets.

A third letter from George (dated December 27, 1952) addresses the competition in the field and the "right minds" being contacted. It suggests that "Nationalism must go" and that "God provided - Man divided." The letter asserts that saucers will be fully revealed to the world soon and that people will crave facts. It claims a landing occurred in Alaska where government heads heard from the space visitors, but leaders considered them crazy. George believes a catastrophe is inevitable and that survivors will have a better chance to learn right, welcoming space men as "big brothers." He suggests the space men are more focused on what happens after the catastrophe than preventing it. The letter concludes with holiday wishes.

The "Conclusion" section of the article critiques George Adamski's books, "Pioneers of Space" and "Inside the Space Ships," noting their poor sales and limited success. It attributes the success of the latter to the publisher and ghostwriter, but emphasizes that the "Space Brother" element was supplied by George Williamson. The author states that Adamski removed the "prophet of doom" aspect from Williamson's philosophy but has yet to withdraw his support from Williamson.

Recent News Stories

This section compiles various UFO sightings and related events:

• Formation of Saucers Over Kansas City: On May 23rd, painters witnessed four saucers flying in formation, splitting into pairs, and then disappearing at high speed. The Air Force reportedly investigated.
• Grounded Saucer Found on Indiana Farm: On February 22nd, a saucer-shaped object with a shiny metal hull was found partially buried on a farm near Waverly, Indiana. Local police examined the object, which contained wires, tubes, and other gadgets.
• Space Contact Fizzles Out: In late April, about fifty saucerites attempted to contact space beings via a "light beam receiver" on Lake Michigan, but the attempt was unsuccessful.
• Strange Rocket-Type Object Seen in Texas: In late February, an object resembling a "buzz bomb" rocket was seen over Houston and San Angelo, Texas. Witnesses described it as white with fire from its tail, traveling at estimated speeds of 40,000 to 50,000 feet and up to 2,000 mph.
• High-Flying Ghosts in Kentucky (?): A woman in Lebanon, Kentucky, claimed to have witnessed a tableau in the sky involving figures of a man, a baby, and a woman in a carriage.
• Local New Jersey Sighting: On July 3rd, a woman and two boys in Teaneck, New Jersey, reported seeing a round, kettle drum-shaped object traveling at high speed.
• Annual California Space Convention: Held in May at Giant Rock Airport, California, the convention attracted 3,000 to 7,000 people. Speakers included George Adamski, Howard Menger, Frank Scully, and Daniel Fry. George Van Tassel announced his candidacy for President in 1960, citing a request from "Space People."
• Air Force Major Witnesses Strange Sky Phenomenon: On April 22nd, an unidentified object was seen to fall from the sky and disintegrate near Thomasville, Georgia. Witnesses described it as a brilliant light with green, blue, and white parts.
• Crank Letter Department: A letter to the New York Enquirer suggests that UFOs avoid communication because of rock and roll music, proposing that its cessation might lead to direct contact.
• Saucers Sighted by Ship at Sea: On June 19th, crewmen on the freighter Hawaiian Fisherman spotted three brightly-lighted objects off the San Francisco coast, which paced the ship.
• News Briefs: A whistling object caused an explosion in Florida, leaving behind paper with instructions. George King of London predicted waves of saucers. A 13-year-old boy in Albany, New York, claimed to have photographed a "silvery disc-like object."

Other Content

The issue also includes a cartoon depicting the U.S. Air Force receiving reports on flying saucers, with a caption humorously linking them to new '57 cars. Additionally, there is a brief mention of Air Force research suggesting Earth bacteria could survive on Mars and a radar tracking of unidentified objects over California. A strange luminous object nearly collided with a Pan-American Airways plane, causing injuries to passengers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of SAUCER NEWS are the ongoing investigation and reporting of UFO sightings, the exploration of theories regarding the origin and purpose of these phenomena, and critical analysis of prominent figures and their claims within the UFO community. The magazine appears to maintain a stance of reporting on various incidents and theories while also offering critical commentary, particularly in the book reviews and the feature article concerning George Williamson. There is a clear interest in the potential for space contact and the implications of extraterrestrial presence for humanity, often framed within a context of impending societal change or catastrophe. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry but with a degree of skepticism towards sensationalism and unsubstantiated claims, as evidenced by the critical review of Norkin's book and the detailed dissection of Williamson's methods.

Title: SAUCER NEWS
Issue: 11
Date: July 12th (raw date)
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of SAUCER NEWS presents a collection of reports, anecdotes, and investigations related to unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and flying saucers. The content spans various locations and time periods, reflecting ongoing public and official interest in the phenomenon.

Article Summaries

Prank and Newspaper Articles

The issue begins with an account of Bill McDulin, a staff writer for the Hamilton, Ohio Journal-News and an amateur saucer investigator. McDulin received a prank in the form of a red and white toy rocket with flames, which he attributed to his newspaper articles on saucers. The article also references rumors about the disappearance of Ray Overstreet, who reportedly took a motion picture of a saucer near Mt. Killimanjaro in Africa in 1953. It's noted that Overstreet and his film were found to be alive and well in Dover, Florida, and that the film was later shown to science students in Sarasota, Florida, by Roger Early.

Chicago Sighting and Balloon Identification

A report from the Cincinnati, Ohio Post dated July 12th describes a sighting by hundreds of Chicago residents of a flying saucer with 'little men scampering around it'. Military and Weather Bureau officials identified the object as a runaway balloon drifting at an altitude of approximately 60,000 feet.

Grounded Object in North Carolina

In March, W. B. Brown, an Air Force veteran living in Charlotte, N.C., reported observing a group of five strange floating objects. One of these objects struck the ground near him, leaving a smell described as 'like burned matches'. The grounded object appeared to be breaking up, was slimy, and numbing to the touch.

Falling Money in Los Angeles

An unusual event, dubbed the 'It Should Happen Here' Department, occurred in a residential section of Los Angeles during the late afternoon of April 15th, when ten and twenty dollar bills mysteriously floated from the sky. A reporter arriving at the scene observed one man gleefully clutching $90 he had collected.

Space Hoax and Venus Communication System

In March, Harold J. Berney of Washington, D.C. was arrested in Alabama for swindling a Washington secretary out of $58,000 through a space hoax. Berney claimed that top men on Venus had requested him to develop a communication system between Earth and Venus, and the money was taken as an investment. He had even written an Adamski-type book about his alleged experiences on Venus.

Edwards Air Force Base UFO Films

Officers at Edwards Air Force Base in California were reportedly studying films made of a UFO seen over the base in May. The object was photographed by two civilian technicians using special equipment. Unofficial sources described the object as circular and glinting brightly, but base spokesmen declined to comment further.

Historical Cigar-Shaped Aircraft

Ruppelt's book 'The Report on Unidentified Flying Objects' recalls that in 1896-97, a mysterious cigar-shaped aircraft was sighted across the United States, generating significant public curiosity. Thomas Edison, when interviewed, disclaimed any knowledge of the craft, stating his preference for focusing on objects of commercial value and dismissing airships as mere toys.

Sightings in Northern Rhodesia

Flying discs with flaming tails have been sighted by copper miners in six camps in Northern Rhodesia, Central Africa. Some speculate that these visitors from space might be observing uranium refining operations that had recently begun in the region.

"Heavenly Taxicabs" Theory

A man in Alabama has written to the Air Force asserting that flying saucers are real and are 'heavenly taxicabs' sent to rescue the 'select' of this planet, with a racial segregation system in place (Caucasians first, then Orientals, then American Indians, and finally, colored races).

Constantin P. Lent's Saucer Design

Another flying saucer design has been patented by Constantin P. Lent, a mechanical engineer and inventor from New York City. His design features a flat circular wing with a cabin on top and a central hole. Air forced through the hole and directed against the wing's edge creates a vacuum above and pressure below, generating vertical lift. A prototype is estimated to cost $1,000,000.

Dr. J. E. Schmidt's Campaign Against Radio Show

An Indiana doctor, J. E. Schmidt, is attempting to have the Long John radio show removed from the air, claiming it presents 'rubbish' and attracts an audience of '95% neurotics'. He is seeking assistance from the F.C.C. and New York radio and TV writers.

Manitowoc Sightings

Several individuals in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, reported seeing saucers on the night of July 31st. The objects were described as resembling toothpicks with prongs, appearing like thin cigars that floated horizontally before standing on end and diving, all surrounded by a luminous white light.

SAUCER LANDING IN CANADA

On July 31st, Jack Stevens, a 15-year-old boy living on a farm near Galt, Ontario, Canada, reported a landing. He observed a saucer about 300 yards away, emitting a humming sound. The object, described as 40 feet in diameter, silver, with a turret and portholes, hovered for about 40 minutes before landing. Stevens and his dog fled, but the next day, he and a friend found a burned circle and two three-toed footprints in a corn stubble field. The footprints were 10 inches wide at the toes and tapered to a point. Newsmen at the scene noted the marks appeared to be made by a heavy object. G. S. Knapp, the farm owner, expressed disbelief if it were a hoax, citing the depth of the impressions. Six or eight burned patches were also found, which Knapp stated would have destroyed a larger area if caused by a field fire. Stevens reportedly maintains his story.

Predicted Public Landings in England

The issue concludes with a mention of Mr. Gibbons, who believes that benevolent space men will soon make public landings in or near Stattsford, England. He chose this town due to a perceived high concentration of sightings in the area.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of SAUCER NEWS are UFO sightings, investigations into alleged landings, and the analysis of potential hoaxes or misidentifications. The magazine appears to maintain an open stance towards the possibility of extraterrestrial visitation, presenting various accounts without outright dismissal, while also acknowledging official explanations like balloons and the possibility of practical jokes or deliberate deception. The inclusion of historical accounts and patented saucer designs suggests a broad interest in the UFO phenomenon across different eras and technological concepts. The editorial stance seems to be one of reporting and exploring these phenomena, encouraging reader engagement and presenting diverse perspectives within the field of ufology.