TIME

Magazine Overview

Title: TIME
Issue Date: March 12, 1979
Volume: 113
Cover Headline: Close Encounters of a Kind
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of TIME magazine, dated March 12, 1979, features an article titled "Close Encounters of a Kind" which delves into a historical UFO incident that allegedly occurred in Aurora, Texas, in 1897. The cover itself is illustrated with a cartoon depicting figures examining gravestones in a cemetery, hinting at the story's theme of mystery and the afterlife.

Close Encounters of a Kind

The main article focuses on a peculiar event reported in 1897 from the small town of Aurora, Texas (population 237). According to a local correspondent named S.E. Hayden, a cigar-shaped spaceship descended over the town and crashed into the windmill of Judge J.S. Proctor. The report further claimed that a tiny spaceman was subsequently buried in the Aurora cemetery.

This sensational story was sent to newspapers in nearby Dallas and Fort Worth. However, it was met with widespread ridicule at the time. The article notes that most citizens of Aurora still scoff at the tale. Etta Pegues, an 86-year-old resident, suggests that Hayden wrote the story as a joke to generate interest in Aurora, a town that was reportedly suffering economically after being bypassed by the railroad.

Despite the local skepticism, the article points out that UFO stories, once told, can take on a life of their own. Over the years, some individuals who believe in UFO phenomena have made pilgrimages to Aurora, searching for the supposed grave of the small spaceman. The article mentions that these visitors have sometimes taken souvenirs, and a few years prior to the article's publication, someone had stolen the "spaceman's tombstone," described by town marshal H.R. Idell as a large rock with a mysterious crack. Idell notes that, for the most part, visitors simply "poke around in the ruins."

Mrs. Pegues expresses a dismissive view, stating, "People wish so hard the story was true they really start believing it." She emphatically refutes a key detail of the legend, saying, "Why, the judge never even had a windmill."

The article highlights the enduring nature of local legends and how they can persist and attract attention, even in the face of strong local disbelief and contradictory evidence.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this article is the intersection of local folklore, historical events, and the enduring fascination with UFOs. The editorial stance appears to be one of presenting the historical account and the local skepticism side-by-side, allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions. While acknowledging the persistence of the legend and the interest it generates among believers, the magazine also gives voice to the local residents who dismiss the story as a fabrication or a joke.

The article touches upon the psychological aspect of belief, suggesting that people may actively seek out and believe stories that align with their desires or fascinations. It also implicitly comments on the role of media in disseminating and perpetuating stories, whether factual or fictional.

The overall tone is journalistic, reporting on the historical event, the current local sentiment, and the ongoing interest from outside the community. There is no overt endorsement or debunking, but rather a presentation of differing perspectives on the Aurora incident.