Airship That Startled Farmers

1906

Farmers and other residents of New Fairfield, Conn., a town five miles north of Danbury, were startled the other day by the appearance of a strange object in the air, which many thought was an airship, says the New York World. There did not appear to be any persons aboard, and no one observed anything like a basket or car suspended from it. The object first attracted attention, as reported by members of the family of Mrs. O. D. Taylor, by a noise like an automobile. It went through the air very swiftly, and in shape it resembled a big naval torpedo. It was near enough to be seen quite plainly.


Electric Bulbs New Fish Bait

Fishermen at Coney Island are using electric lights at the water's edge to attract the fish, says the New York Journal. Many of them carried their own electric plugs, globes and wires and fitted the plug to the sockets of lamps on Dreamland pier.

Atmospheric Phenomenon Startles Jersey Folks

1922

Asbury Park, N. J., April 23. — Gaseous odors flashed through space to the south of this place at 9 o'clock tonight, disappearing in a thunderous roar and frightening residents of many coast towns.

Window panes in residences at Toms river were shattered by the explosion and the gas, polluting the atmosphere for more than a quarter of an hour, compelled the residents to hold dampened handkerchiefs to their nostrils.

In Lakehurst, many of the buildings were shaken, as if by an earthquake, but the gas was not noticed.

A party led by two town officials has set out for the spot at which the meteor fell. It is believed the spot is near Brown's-Mill-in-the-Pines, a village 30 miles from here.

The atmospheric phenomenon, according to many of the persons who witnessed it, lasted for about a minute. But a tiny streak of light at first, it became beautifully colored as it neared earth and at times it seemed to halt momentarily in space, adopted a new course, and then zig-zagged back again, witnesses declared.

The meteor fell in the sea, about a mile off shore at Seaside Park, 35 miles south of here, it is reported.

The celestial mass, as it struck the water, caused an explosion that shook the residences of the village and threw spray to a great height, residents say. Volumes of steam then arose and, drifting ashore, nauseated many.

Members of two coast guard companies say they believe the phenomenon was caused by a large explosive rocket. No trace of a giant rocket could be found, however.

—Oneonta Daily Star, Oneonta, New York, April 24, 1922, page 1.

UFOs Over Indiana? Residents Saw Something

Fort Wayne, Indiana, 1909
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THINK AIRSHIP WAS SAILING ABOVE THE CITY

Residents of Bloomingdale See Supposed Machine High in Heavens.

Did an airship sail over Fort Wayne Friday a.m.? Half a score or more of Bloomingdale residents are declaring their confident belief that such was the case. They saw it.

One of the earliest to report the presence of the supposed aerial navigating machine was Oswald Brudi, clerk at the post office, who resides on Wells street. Others in the vicinity were also attracted by a glimpse of the object and there is a concurrence of conviction that it was actually an aeroplane of some variety whose owner was enjoying a spin high in the heavens.

The airship, if such it was, was first noticed about 8 o'clock and it seemed to come from over the city, sailing in a northwesterly direction. A little later it turned to a course due west, and was soon lost to view, having been visible not to exceed five minutes. The machine was very high in the air, and apparently too small to be one of the big creations which the big aviators have been using in their sensational performances.

--Fort Wayne Weekly Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Indiana, September 8, 1909, page 9.