1957 01 15 - Saucerian Bulletin - Vol 2 No 1

Magazine Overview

This is the January 15, 1957 issue of The Saucerian Bulletin, a publication focused on flying saucer and UFO phenomena. The issue is primarily text-based, with a few photographic reproductions and advertisements for related books and publications.

Ortonville, Minnesota Sighting

The lead story details a pre-dawn sighting in Ortonville, Minnesota, on January 15, 1957. Marlan Hewitt, a National Guardsman and milk truck driver, braked his truck in front of an all-night cafe, drawing the attention of others. Hewitt reported seeing a bright moving object in the eastern sky, too bright and large to be a star, which he described as having windows. He had first seen the object near Pelican Rapids around 1 a.m. and became frightened when he realized it was following his truck. Near Graceville, he pulled over and observed the object, describing it as saucer-shaped, grey, with a touch of yellow haze, and brighter than a star. He noted individual lights around the top. When he turned off his lights, the object turned red and sped away. It was later seen again and followed him to Milbank. Checks with a nearby airfield and the Associated Press yielded no information.

Other Sightings and Reports

• Other reported incidents include:
• Mrs. B. C. Herberg of Breardsley saw a dirigible-like object over her farm on November 11th.
• In Mankato, 200 residents saw an aerial object identified as a weather balloon.
• William Corbett of Woodstock, Ontario, Canada, reported a saucer chasing his truck for six miles, emitting a strong white light.
• Harry J. Sturdevant of Trenton, N. J., reported a huge cigar-shaped object that swooped close to him, causing him to seek disability benefits.
• A claimant on the East-West Freeway reported an object 60 to 100 feet long passing overhead with a foul odor and hissing sounds, leading to a compensation claim.

Controversy and Criticism

The issue casts serious doubt on the "contact story" of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Menger, as reported in their November 15th bulletin. An article in the CSI NEWSLETTER suggests that Menger's Polaroid snapshots were actually of paintings depicting saucer scenes. Menger, a sign painter, is also noted for claims that the Star of Bethlehem was a flying saucer and the Virgin Mary was a spacewoman. Lonzo Dove, formerly with the International Flying Saucer Bureau, also expressed skepticism about Menger's photographic evidence.

Government and Military Involvement

An OCNS report indicates that U.S. Navy pilots are ordered to "shoot to kill" if saucers are encountered, with the goal of obtaining physical fragments for analysis. Irwin Ross Vermillion, a civilian flight examiner, confirmed that these orders were issued in 1949. He stated the Air Force categorizes reports, with one category being "CP" (crack-pot) and four others for unexplained sightings. He noted that while only 3% of checked sightings were considered valuable and unexplained, this amounted to over 500 legitimate sightings. Vermillion believes saucers are advanced radar ships designed for observation, not hostile invasion.

Publications and Books

The bulletin announces the reproduction of Project Blue Book Special Report No. 14, available for $1.00 from Dr. Leon Davidson. It also mentions the upcoming February issue of Fantastic Universe Science Fiction magazine, featuring an article on the Bender case and an introduction to Ufology by Ivan Sanderson. The publication also promotes its own offerings, including "The Saucerian Review" (a 100-page book on 1955 events for $1.50) and subscriptions to The Saucerian Bulletin itself.

Other News and Predictions

A prediction is made that N.I.C.A.P. (National Investigations Committee On Aerial Phenomena) will soon fold, citing withdrawals by prominent members. There is also a rumor of a new non-profit UFO organization forming in a southern state that will not charge membership fees. A story from Mexico by Rose Phillips highlights the Mexican government's openness with saucer news.

Letters to the Editor

A letter from John Otto expresses dissatisfaction with The Saucerian Bulletin's reporting, particularly regarding his name being associated with "trashy" elements of the UFO topic. He demands a retraction and requests that his name be mentioned only in a manner consistent with past ethical decency.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The publication consistently reports on UFO sightings, alleged contactee experiences, and government investigations into the phenomena. There is a critical stance towards some contactees, particularly the Menger case, and a focus on official reports and military actions. The bulletin also serves as a platform for promoting books and subscriptions related to UFO research, indicating a commercial aspect to its operations. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on UFO events with a degree of skepticism towards sensational claims, while also advocating for serious investigation and the dissemination of information.