UFO Newsclipping Service - 1969 07 - no 3

Magazine Overview

This issue of 'JULY' magazine, dated July 1969, is a compilation of various reports and articles concerning unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and related phenomena. The cover prominently features the headline 'Expert Will Investigate Report Of Flying Machine', indicating a focus on investigative journalism within the UFO field.

Key Articles and Reports

Expert Will Investigate Report Of Flying Machine:
This article introduces Hank McKay, a 42-year-old civil servant from Agincourt, Ontario, who has been investigating UFOs for five years. McKay is described as an amateur UFO investigator who gets information from police and government agencies. He is heading to Chapeau, Quebec, to investigate claims made by Leo Paul Chaput, a farmer who reported seeing a 'flying machine' on his 10-acre farm. Chaput's evidence includes three large rings of matted grass, approximately 27 feet in diameter, which he believes were caused by a landed machine. McKay has a theory that sightings occur near radio towers for military establishments and cites a sighting by Killaloe detachment OPP officers.

Second To See Object:
This report from the Moncton Transcript details Charles Morris's sighting of a 'ball of fire' over the Petitcodiac River near Moncton, New Brunswick. Morris described the object as controlled, moving rapidly, and stopping and starting. He estimated its size to be 10 to 12 feet in diameter. The article notes that the Department of Transport officials have also reported sightings in the Moncton area. Another man, H. W. Upham, also reported seeing a similar mysterious object over the city the same night.

Flying Objects in Sky Here:
This article from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports on several flaming objects seen across the sky on a late afternoon in St. Louis and St. Louis County. Witnesses described the objects as white with a green or blue tinge, flying faster than 2000 miles an hour. Pilots of two small planes reported the objects, with one giving chase. The objects were seen from O'Fallon, Illinois, to Chesterfield in west St. Louis County. J. Allen Hynek, an astronomy professor, suggested they could be parts of a man-made satellite burning up. However, an official at the Space Defense Center in Colorado Springs stated there was no record of a satellite scheduled to re-enter the atmosphere. Authorities speculated they might be meteors, but some witnesses noted they flew in formation. Scott Air Force Base officials did not detect anything unusual on their radar.

'Cosmic Phenomena' Tag Given Unexplained Lights:
This Sentinel Bureau report describes unexplained green and white lights observed over the Atlantic Ocean from Port Canaveral to West Palm Beach, Florida. The U.S. Coast Guard initially responded to reports of a 'distress flare' but later ascribed the lights to 'cosmic phenomena.' Coast Guard spokesmen disclaimed the idea of unidentified flying objects, suggesting the cause might be meteorological. Dr. David D. Woodbridge, a physics professor, proposed an 'electric glow from charges in the air' as a possible explanation.

Report of 'Flying Object' Brings Inquiry:
This article from the Falls City Journal reports on Gunther Schwartz, a 'flying object' detective from Lincoln, Nebraska, investigating a sighting by Mrs. Danny Harper and her daughter, Jan, over Falls City. Schwartz, a field supervisor for the Smithsonian Institution's Meteorite Recovery Project, believes the object was an illuminated meteorite head-ed for Earth. The Smithsonian Institution is actively tracking meteorites and has photographic stations across the country. Schwartz is seeking other witnesses in the area.

Unusual Aerial Phenomenon Reported in Allanville District:
This report from the Tisdale Recorder details a sighting by Mr. and Mrs. Ed Young of Allanville, Saskatchewan. They reported seeing two large red balls over their farm home around midnight, accompanied by roaring sounds. The next day, neighbor Bill Pihowich found two packets of tinsel-like material and plastic containers nearby. Traces of the metal substance were found in several other locations. Major J. L. Beech of the RCAF radar station at Dana stated there were no military aircraft in the area and suggested the substance could be 'chaff' used to confuse radar.

'Flying Saucer' Seen In Tompkinsville:
This article from the Glasgow Times reports on a sighting by two high school seniors, Lovce Bagwell and Mac Dean Simpson, in Tompkinsville, Kentucky. They saw a 'bright orange glow, with blue darts descending toward the earth.' The object was described as flying low, ball-shaped, and traveling south. WSM-TV reported similar objects seen over Middle Tennessee. A previous sighting in the area occurred in early 1967.

Unidentified Object and Atmospheric Condition Puzzles Kinloss Folks:
This report from the Paisley Advocate describes a unique experience by Raynard Ackert of Holyrood, Ontario. He encountered a sudden stillness, difficulty breathing, and his tractor cutting out, followed by a terrific wind and flying debris. Simultaneously, a large white conical object was seen in the sky. Albert Wylds, a school principal, also observed the object. The report dismisses it as a jet plane's slipstream.

UFO Sighted North Of Town:
This article from the Davidson Leader reports on a sighting by 12-year-old Billie Turanich of Bladworth, Saskatchewan. He saw a 'typical' flying saucer type object, glowing red and changing to silver, moving at high speed. The object reappeared, seemingly having landed, and a search of the area revealed a patch of bare ground. The Saskatoon UFO Club is investigating.

'Truth' of mythical oddities at Fair:
This Montreal Star article features Ivan T. Sanderson, director of the Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained. Sanderson discusses various unconventional theories, including ancient Greek computers, multiple Loch Ness monsters (identified as seals), and the existence of UFOs. He claims his society has 500 members, including scientists, and believes UFOs are constructed by another intelligence. He dismisses the Condon Committee report as a 'fiasco' and is also interested in the midget submarine expedition to Loch Ness.

Strange light remains mystery:
This Kincardine News report details an incident involving Mrs. Jack Gardiner of North Line, Ontario. She witnessed a bright saucer-like object hovering in the sky for about forty minutes, emitting a steady white glow, before disappearing with a black vapour trail. The incident occurred after two loud booms were heard.

UFO scares tractor driver:
This Redding Record Searchlight article reports on a sighting by Tom Kitchen near Vina, California. Kitchen described a large, bright object, the size of a small bus with an orange tail, that followed a train and then hovered over his tractor. The Tehama County Sheriff's Office investigated, and the object was also witnessed by the foreman and his wife. Explanations like crop dusters or balloons were dismissed due to the object's hovering behavior.

Sees Strange Lights In Chapeau Area:
This Pembroke Observer article revisits the Leo Paul Chaput sighting in Chapeau, Quebec. Chaput describes seeing a big white light that lit up the field, and found three large circles of singed or matted grass. He believes a 'machine' landed there. The circles are about 27 feet in diameter. The article notes that neighbors are divided in their beliefs, and people are visiting the site out of curiosity. Two small trees and a pine branch from within the rings are being analyzed for the cause of the burns.

Bright Ball Of Fire:
This UPI report from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, details multiple sightings of a bright ball of fire or unidentified flying objects across eastern Iowa. Pilots reported seeing the object flash overhead, moving east to west at an estimated speed of 400 miles per hour. The weather bureau speculated it might be a meteor. Similar sightings were reported in Washington, Riverside, and Iowa City, with descriptions varying from fireballs to cigar-shaped objects and blue-circular objects.

UFOs' Seen In 3 States:
This Evening World-Herald report covers sightings across Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska. Descriptions varied, including circular and cigar shapes, fireballs, and meteors. FAA officers reported multiple calls, with objects described as moving east to west at various altitudes. Some reports mentioned blue-green or silver objects. A Ralston resident reported a 'ball of fire' with a red haze, and golfers in Glenwood, Iowa, saw a cluster of three fireballs.

UFO's sighte in this area:
This Washington (IX.T Journal) report details two sightings in Washington and surrounding areas. Gifford Morrison described a 'soap bubble with a tail' flying west. Jack Schnoebelen reported an orange and red ball with a little light below it in Riverside, which appeared stationary but revolving. The article concludes that whether they were UFOs or not, something strange was in the skies.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the widespread reports of unidentified flying objects and unexplained aerial phenomena across North America during May and June 1969. There is a clear interest in investigating these sightings, with a focus on witness accounts, physical evidence (like the Chapeau rings), and expert opinions. The magazine presents a balanced view, including scientific speculation (meteors, atmospheric conditions) alongside the accounts of those who believe in extraterrestrial origins. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, presenting the evidence and allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, while also highlighting the work of UFO investigators and organizations.

This document is a collection of newspaper clippings from various publications in May 1969, primarily focusing on UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) sightings and related phenomena. The clippings originate from Canada, the United States, and Australia, indicating a widespread interest in these events during that period.

Key Articles and Reports

Arden Couple Sights Unidentified Object (The Neepawa Press, May 15, 1969)

This article details an encounter by Frank and Mrs. Harder of Arden, Manitoba, who observed a strange flying object on Wednesday, May 7, 1969, at 3:15 a.m. The object glowed, changed colors from bright red to bluish-red, and at times shone a light described as 'like a beacon' that illuminated nearby trees. Mr. Harder, a worker for the RM of Lansdowne, first spotted the object to the southeast when he went for water, initially mistaking it for the moon. He noted the object rose and moved back and forth as if searching. The couple watched the object for ten to twelve minutes before it disappeared behind bushes. Mrs. Harder corroborated her husband's story, stating she would not have believed it if he hadn't told her, but she saw it herself. She reported no noises and felt the object was hovering just above the treetops. The report also mentions that Mr. Harder discussed the sighting with a fellow worker and councillor, Bud Cochrane, who then informed The Neepawa Press.

What city family thought was flying saucer may have been helicopter (Ottawa Citizen, April 24, 1969)

This article reports on a 'flying saucer' sighted by a man, his wife, and their 15-year-old son about 30 miles east of Ottawa near Hammond on Tuesday night. Dr. Bruce McIntosh, a research officer with the National Research Council (NRC), stated that the witness was described as a reliable man who gave an objective report. The family, convinced the object was not from this world, wished to remain unidentified to avoid ridicule. The sighting occurred during heavy rain when the man saw an object in a field. The object rose, flew across a field, and hovered above high-tension wires, appearing to draw power from them. Ontario Hydro assured Dr. McIntosh that no helicopters were operating in the area. The craft was described as pinkish, about 30 feet long, with two huge spotlights and many porthole-shaped windows. It then moved toward the car, emitting a heavy humming sound. Lights from the object illuminated the car's interior, and the family dog became agitated. Red lights were seen inside the saucer, but no occupants were visible. Dr. McIntosh noted that previous UFOs have been associated with high-tension wires on rainy nights and suggested the Ottawa man might have seen a real vehicle.

Student tells of UFO sighting (American Press Clipping Service, Inc., May 25, 1969)

This clipping features Greg Lucht, a 13-year-old student from Palatine, Illinois, who claims to have seen a flying saucer. He described the object as perfectly round on the bottom with a bulged, concave center, resembling a 'squished-down football' from the side. It was dull gray and had two bright, swiveling lights, along with blinking red, white, and blue lights. Greg reported a humming noise, similar to the submarine 'Seaview' from the TV show 'Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea.' He stated the object was flying very low, 'right over us,' and estimated it was no more than 100 feet up. Greg believes it was a spaceship from another planet, questioning if humans can go to the moon, why flying saucers from other planets cannot come here. He reported seeing the UFO multiple times on a Monday night with his friend Alan Prouty and others. They initially saw it around 10:25 p.m. while driving, then again at 10:40 p.m., and again at 10:50 p.m. They called the Nike base in Arlington Heights to report it. The object reportedly left but returned around 11:30 p.m. for their closest look. Greg mentioned that a soldier at the Nike base switched him to the air force, who listened but did not seem to believe him. Dr. J. Allen Hynek, director of Northwestern University's astronomy department, stated that Greg's report aligns with two other similar reports he received, suggesting that the witnesses were either mistaken or had indeed seen an unusual object.

Strange Object Here Is Reported (Gazette, Gastonia, N.C., May 21, 1969)

This article recounts a sighting by Deveil Butcher of Kings Mountain, North Carolina. Butcher, who claims to be sane and not a fanatic, reported seeing a 'flying saucer' off I-85 between Gastonia and Kings Mountain on a Saturday evening. He stopped his car and observed the object for eight minutes. He initially thought it was a Goodyear blimp. The object reportedly came straight out of the sky and hovered about 350-400 feet above ground, moving slowly at around 40 mph. Butcher described it as 'round, about 40 feet in diameter, with two small windows,' making no sound. Two lights, one on the front and one on the back, blinked on and off every 10 seconds. The object was sighted at 3:40 p.m. and later headed toward Bessemer City before disappearing. Butcher expressed astonishment, stating, 'It was the strangest thing I ever saw,' and wondered why no one else saw it. He had not called The Gazette sooner due to fear of being called crazy but eventually felt compelled to share his experience. The article notes this is the second UFO report from a Kings Mountain man in recent months.

UFO appears like model "T" (Steinbach Carillon News, May 22, 1969)

This clipping reports on a sighting by Mr. and Mrs. Tony Majure, their daughter Kathy, and sons Ronnie, Tom, and Jim from Steinbach, Manitoba, who visited the L. E. Weir home at East Braintree. Together with Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Weir, they sighted an unidentified object in the southeast around 11 o'clock Sunday evening. The object was visible for over an hour. Mrs. Bertha Weir described it as resembling an old model coupe car lit up inside. The article suggests that unidentified objects seem to be becoming more plentiful and appear to be observed in a line from Beausejour eastward and southeastward, possibly indicating a pattern or observation line.

MP: Was 'saucer' in my sacaline? (The Herald, Melbourne, April 24, 1969)

This article from Australia reports that an MHR (Member of the House of Representatives), Mr. Ian Robinson, asked the Air Force to investigate a potential flying saucer landing on his property at Bungawalyn on the Richmond River. Mr. Robinson, a Country Party member, found strange damage to a two-acre sacaline crop, which stands 10 feet high. An area measuring 60 ft. by 25 ft. was flattened, with stalks bent over at ground level from north to south. The prevailing wind was in the opposite direction. Marks on the ground suggested a moving object. Mr. Robinson stated he could not find any explanation short of a visit by a strange craft, though he personally does not believe in flying saucers. He noted that the incidents had made him think.

UFOs and a 'dent' (The Sun, Melbourne, April 25, 1969)

This article follows up on the previous report, detailing that Mr. Ian Robinson reported finding an indentation in a field of sacaline fodder on his farm at Bungain dogan. He mentioned two UFO sightings reported to him: one about 10 miles from his property and another about 50 miles away. He asked the RAAF to investigate the indentation, stating there was no evidence it was caused by animals or people, and that it must have come from the air. He reiterated his disbelief in flying saucers but acknowledged the lack of evidence to disprove their existence.

Drivers 'trailed' by UFO (The Herald, Melbourne, April 24, 1969)

Four truck drivers in Perth, Australia, reported being followed by a bright diamond-shape object that hovered above them between Esperance and Lake Grace. Mr. John Shanahan, a newspaper truck driver, stated the object followed him for 120 miles. Three other drivers corroborated the sighting. They described the object as being about 40 ft. by 30 ft., like a diamond or an enormous light with a band around it. It would speed off and then return, hovering above. The drivers estimated its size and behavior.

8 PEOPLE REPORT FIERY U.F.O. (Sydney Sunday "Sun-Herald", May 18, 1969)

This report describes a glowing 'flying saucer' that descended and hovered over the Riverina, Australia, in the early hours of May 18, 1969. It was seen by eight people six miles apart. The object reportedly hung 500 feet above a lonely paddock where Mr. Lindsay Dillon was driving a tractor. Mr. Tony Hocking, the property owner, arrived later and also saw the object. Both men drove home terrified. Mr. Dillon woke his wife and neighbors, and Mr. Hocking woke his brother and neighbors. From their homes, six miles apart, they all claimed to have watched the object for about half an hour before it disappeared. They reported the sighting to Deniliquin police. Mr. Dillon described the object as coming across the trees glowing completely white, then remaining stationary. Its color changed to flashing red and green for about five minutes. When Mr. Hocking arrived, it shot up to about 1,000 feet and changed to white again. Tony Hocking described the object's tremendous brightness and speed, stating it was 'almost dazzling' and lit up the clouds when it went behind them. He estimated its speed as faster than a Boeing jet. Mrs. Barks reported seeing the object descending and ascending. Mrs. Hynes stated that Lindsay Dillon called her in a 'shaking voice' and that she went out and saw the glowing thing in the sky.

Sydney riddle - UFO 'bang' (The Sun, April 24, 1969)

An unidentified flying object reportedly exploded over Church Point, Sydney, Australia, late on April 23, 1969, shattering windows and shaking houses. Several people reported seeing an 'orange object' explode in the sky. Mr. and Mrs. Hewison of Newport saw an orange object high in the sky, which exploded about five minutes later. Mrs. Belen Capies of Church Point said the explosion shook her entire house, describing the sound as being 'like near a cannon.' Mr. A. J. Hackett, owner of the Pasadena restaurant, also heard the explosion. Police were mystified as no planes were reported missing. Water police were investigating flares off the coast near Church Point at the time, but no connection was found. Although the flares appeared to be distress signals, no craft was found.

One in the sky for Sydney (The Herald, Melbourne, April 24, 1969)

This brief article mentions a large balloon launched by the Department of Supply at Mildura that hung over Sydney at 120,000 feet for several hours, causing traffic to slow and prompting calls to police, the Weather Bureau, and newspapers. Some people thought it was something from outer space. The balloon was part of altitude research experiments.

LIFE OUT IN SPACE, THEY SAY (Australian Associated Press, London, Wed.)

This clipping reports that two British scientists from Bradford University, D. Gorrion and Dr. Shaw, claim to have conclusive evidence of life in outer space. They discovered in meteorites proof that living matter existed 4500 million years ago, predating the previously accepted age of the oldest rocks found on Earth. They believe this indicates that matter first existed in space and came to Earth. The meteorites contained sporopollen, a chemical compound characteristic of advanced forms of living matter, found in fungi and plants. They stated that while they would never know what was living on the planet before, the evidence suggested extraterrestrial origins.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout these clippings is the reporting of unexplained aerial phenomena, commonly referred to as UFOs or flying saucers. The articles present eyewitness accounts, often from multiple witnesses, describing objects with unusual characteristics such as lights, strange movements, and unexplained sounds or explosions. There is a clear public fascination and concern regarding these sightings, with some reports directly referencing official investigations or scientific opinions (e.g., Dr. Hynek, Dr. McIntosh, Project Blue Book). The editorial stance of the reporting publications appears to be one of presenting the facts as reported by witnesses, often with a degree of skepticism or by offering potential conventional explanations (like helicopters) where applicable, but also acknowledging the unexplained nature of many events. The inclusion of the scientific claim about extraterrestrial life in meteorites suggests a broader interest in the possibility of life beyond Earth.