SPACE - No 23 - 1958 11

Magazine Overview

Title: SPACE
Issue: No. 23
Volume: November 1958
Publisher: Norbert F. Gariety
Editor and Publisher: Norbert F. Gariety
Location: Coral Gables, Florida, USA

This issue of SPACE (Saucer Phenomena and Celestial Enigma) focuses on the heightened UFO activity during the 1958 Earth-Mars opposition period, dubbed the '1958 Flap'. The magazine presents a collection of detailed reports and eyewitness accounts, critically examining official explanations and highlighting the persistent mystery surrounding these phenomena.

The 1958 Flap in Full Swing

The editorial notes that the anticipated increase in UFO activity for 1958 is underway, with excellent reports reaching S.P.A.C.E. headquarters. It observes that local editors are providing better coverage, but the Associated Press (AP) and United Press (UP) are downplaying the events, keeping the general public largely unaware. The 'Operation Hoodwink' is seen as still in effect. The flap began earnestly on September 29th, with sightings concentrated in Ohio cities like Columbus, Toledo, Newark, Akron, Canton, and Cleveland. A particularly significant event occurred at a Nike Base in Maryland, just 17 miles from Washington D.C.

Nike Base Incident: The 'Flying Truck'

A Jersey City soldier, Pvt. Jerome A. Scanlon, 21, reported witnessing a mysterious 'space ship' land and take off near a Maryland Nike base where he was on guard duty. He described a humming, fire-belching phenomenon, sort of like a jet, mostly green with white trimmings, moving slowly about 100 yards up. It skittered over treetops, broke branches, and landed, emitting sparks and a weird glow. When the soldiers reached the landing spot, the craft was gone, but broken branches and a scorched strip were found. The story was reported in the New York JOURNAL-AMERICAN and the BALTIMORE EVENING SUN. The Air Force, however, offered an explanation: a truck and arc-welders torches from Potomac Electric Power Co. working on high-tension lines. The magazine's editor, Norbert F. Gariety, meticulously debunks this explanation, pointing out flaws such as the lack of common knowledge of such repairs among base personnel, the excessive investigation time (192 man-hours), and the fact that other Maryland residents also reported seeing an unidentified object on the same date, which could not have been a truck on the base. The editor sarcastically suggests the possibility of 'flying trucks' or experimental Air Force craft.

Columbus, Ohio Sighting

On the same Wednesday night, an unidentified flying object sighted over Columbus, Ohio, caused a stir. Motorists stopped their cars, snarling traffic, to watch a brightly lighted object with a row of windows swing at high speed around the city before disappearing west. Officials had no immediate explanation, and Lockbourne AF Base reported no planes in the area. Weather meteorologists stated conditions made atmospheric illusions unlikely.

Toledo, Ohio Reports

Early on September 29th, Toledoans reported a loud, window-rattling thud followed by a hissing sound, described by one policeman as an explosion. Ohio turnpike police received reports of motorists seeing a strange object in the sky, one described as a plane on fire. Other witnesses saw an object about 4:30 a.m. Highway Patrolman Forrest Ventura reported seeing a strange object flying over Springboro, which appeared to speed up and disappear north when illuminated by his spotlight. Numerous reports described a mysterious object in the sky over Ohio, with observers likening it to an aircraft. Some saw it break into three separate lights with a hazy ring. Descriptions varied, but included a blue light and a 'very weird-looking object'. Calls surmising Soviet spies or Martians were not officially recorded.

Other Ohio Sightings

The issue thanks subscribers for reports on the 'Ohio Flap' and includes additional headlines: Mrs. William H. Fitzgerald claimed to see a saucer 8 feet wide hover over her driveway, and Mrs. A. J. Campbell saw a circular object with a ring around it, resembling Saturn.

Indiana Train Incident

A sensational account from Frank Edwards, News Commentator at WTTV, details an encounter on October 3, 1958, involving Freight Train Number 91 on the Monon Railroad. The fireman, Cecil Bridge, and engineer saw four oddly glowing white lights crossing the tracks ahead. The objects approached the train at an estimated altitude of 2000 feet and swept its entire length (about half a mile). They changed color from white when moving rapidly to orange-red when moving slowly. After traversing the train, they wheeled in formation and sped east, then returned to follow the train. The objects were observed to be very low, at times scarcely more than above the treetops, estimated at 40 feet in diameter and 8-10 feet thick. They would speed up and approach the caboose, fleeing when illuminated by a powerful flashlight, only to return. The entire encounter lasted one hour and ten minutes. UP did not report this story, while AP carried it on its state wire only. The crew members involved were identified as Cecil Bridge (Lawrence, Indiana), Harry Eckman (Indianapolis, Indiana), Morris Ott (Indianapolis, Indiana), Paul Soshey (Lawrence, Indiana), and Ed Robinson (Indianapolis, Indiana).

Westover AF Base Investigation

Westover AF Base officials announced an investigation into UFO reports over Greater Springfield, Massachusetts. The announcement followed reports of flaming objects seen the previous Friday morning. The Air Force stated that in its role of providing aerial defense, it conducts investigations and analyzes all reports of unidentified objects as a matter of policy. A Westover official indicated this was apparently the first such investigation at the base, resulting from new Air Force regulations. Witnesses described flaming objects that disintegrated with no sound, leaving long red and green flames.

Loch Raven, Maryland Incident

On Sunday night, October 26th, the BALTIMORE NEWS-POST reported a 'MONSTROUS, EGG SHAPED "THING" OVER LOCH RAVEN PROBED BY AIR FORCE'. Two men, Phillip Small and Alvin Cohen, reported seeing a large, white egg-shaped thing about 100 feet long floating over a bridge. As they approached, their car's motor cut out and lights went off. The object glowed intensely, emitted heat, and then shot straight up with a loud clap. Their car started immediately after. The heat was so intense that Small reported thinking one side of his face had been burned. Mrs. Small confirmed her husband's face was red and hot. The Air Force Office of Special Investigation at Ft. Holabird began an investigation. The witnesses stated they were returning from a fishing trip and were certain it was an unidentified flying object. The intense heat reported is noted as not being new, referencing a previous case involving a pilot in Uruguay.

Uruguayan Pilot's Encounter

A pilot in Uruguay, Carlos Alejo Rodriguez, flying his Piper aircraft, reported a brilliant silvery UFO hovering over Uruguay on May 5, 1958. The object, described as a metallic-appearing 'top-shaped' craft, symmetrical above and below, approached his plane. As it took off at fantastic speed, intense heat filled the cabin, causing Rodriguez to sweat profusely, despite the outside temperature being 77 degrees F. The object was estimated to be 50-60 feet in diameter. Investigators for C.I.O.V.I. stated Rodriguez had always been skeptical of UFOs prior to this experience.

Other Brief Reports

• Six-Legged Bullfrogs: In Tunica, Mississippi, thousands of six-legged bullfrogs have appeared, puzzling biologists. The extra pair of hind legs grow on the right side of their backs.
• Bigfoot: The mystery of Bigfoot in Northern California is mentioned, with footprints measuring 16 inches long and a stride of 50 inches.
• Space Ship Landing in New Zealand: A report from CSI of New Zealand describes strange goings-on near Mt. Egmont on June 7th. Witnesses observed a large, dark-red ground glow, followed by a large white oval object rising from the area and disappearing vertically. The object may have hovered at low altitude or touched down, possibly due to technical failure or rescue operations.

Edgar Casey Lecture

An announcement for a lecture by Hugh Lynn Casey, son of Edgar Casey, on December 2nd in Miami, Florida, is included. The lecture will cover the Edgar Casey phenomenon and his father's medical diagnoses.

Christmas Gift Subscriptions

The magazine solicits Christmas gift subscriptions, offering a $3.00 rate and a card indicating the gift giver. Funds are stated as being needed to continue operations.

Admiral Rickover Controversy

President Eisenhower recommended the promotion of Admiral Rickover to Vice Admiral after he was passed over. Rickover's wife publicly criticized the Navy brass as 'stupid windbags' for allegedly trying to hurt her husband's 'independent and free spirit'. The Navy claimed she was on the list to christen a sub but had not been informed.

Rhineholt Schmidt

A brief mention is made of Rhineholt Schmidt, who was released from a hospital after tests and given a Certificate of Sanity. It is rumored he shows this certificate when his story is questioned.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the widespread nature of UFO sightings in 1958, the perceived inadequacy and dismissiveness of official explanations (particularly from the Air Force), and the importance of eyewitness testimony. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical of official narratives and supportive of the idea that unidentified flying objects represent a genuine phenomenon, possibly involving intelligences from outer space. The editor actively seeks to debunk official explanations and encourages readers to question the status quo. The magazine positions itself as a source for detailed, albeit sometimes controversial, UFO reports that are not widely covered by mainstream media.