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347 lines
38 KiB
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1
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Nov. 18, 1896 Sacramento CA. On November 18, a peculiar aerial phenomenon was observed in Sacramento, where an
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18:00 electric arc lamp-like object moved through the sky in an erratic manner, seemingly propelled by an
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unknown force. Witnesses claimed to hear human voices emanating from the object, giving directions to
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avoid collisions with structures, and guiding its ascent when it neared the ground. The incident left
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citizens astonished by the unusual sight and audible interactions in the sky. (Chapter 1, Ref 1)
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2
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Nov. 26, 1896 San Francisco Bay Area, CA. An enigmatic craft appeared over San Francisco Bay. Described as a large, black
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cigar-shaped object with a fish-like tail, the approximately 100-foot-long airship exhibited high-speed movement
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and maneuverability that far surpassed known technologies of the time, like dirigibles. The witnesses were
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astonished by the object's unprecedented features, as it defied the technological norms of 1896 and foreshadowed
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a series of subsequent mysterious airship sightings across California, setting the stage for a broader national
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phenomenon in the following year. (Chapter 1, Ref 2)
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3
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Jan. 30, 1897 Hastings, Nebraska. A mysterious airship was repeatedly spotted near Hastings, a farming community in Nebraska, in
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January 1897. Witnesses observed the object hovering at varying altitudes, displaying powerful artificial lights and
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performing maneuvers at remarkable speeds before vanishing as mysteriously as it had appeared. (Chapter 1, Ref 3)
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4
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Jan. 1897 40 miles south of Hastings, near Kansas border. A prayer group south of Hastings reported a sighting of a conical-shaped
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object with a bright headlight, six smaller lights, and two sets of wings on each side, along with a large fan-shaped rudder.
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(Chapter 1, Ref 4)
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5
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Apr. 1897 Kansas City, Kansas. Residents observed a bright light with changing colors, emitting a beam of light akin
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to a searchlight, exhibiting controlled movement rather than comet-like motion, and alternating between northwest and opposite
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directions. (Chapter 1, Ref 5)
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6
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Jan. 1897 Everest, Kansas. The town of Everest had a detailed sighting of an airborne craft that hovered over the area for 80 minutes. The
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craft was described as having a 25-to-30-foot-long car resembling an Indian canoe with light wings, including two triangular ones.
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It appeared to be powered by the same source that provided light, with the brightness changing as the craft's altitude varied, and
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observers noted variations in the color of the light. (Chapter 1, Ref 6)
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7
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Jan. 1897 Iowa. A farmer in Iowa had a close encounter with a mystery airship equipped with incandescent lamps on its sides. As the craft
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maneuvered overhead, a grappling rope from the car hooked onto the farmer's trousers, but he managed to grab a tree and avoid being
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taken away. Despite skepticism from neighbors, the farmer stood by his account due to his reputation for honesty. (Chapter 1, Ref 7)
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8.
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Jan. 1897 Western Iowa. A dairy farmer encountered a dark, lighted aerial object resembling a long car with a cigar-shaped bag floating above it.
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The sighting was interrupted when the witness' team of horses panicked, causing him to be thrown into a ditch. Upon recovering, he
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saw the object ascend and vanish into the night. (Chapter 1, Ref 8)
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9
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Apr. 13, 1897 Battle Creek, Michigan. Michigan became a focal point for mysterious airship sightings in mid-April, with around 50 witnesses in Battle Creek
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20:55 reporting a strange aerial object resembling an airship. The object emitted sparks and buzzed as it descended, then ascended in a
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perpendicular manner before vanishing, leaving reputable citizens puzzled about its nature and identity. (Chapter 1, Ref 9)
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10
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Apr. 16, 1897 Hudson, Michigan. A group of around 25 credible witnesses observed a cigar-shaped airship with yellow lights at the bow and stern. The object
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exhibited a mechanical arrangement for propulsion, moving from the west in a northerly direction at varying altitudes and becoming a topic
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of discussion in the city due to the reliability of the observers. (Chapter 1, Ref 10)
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11
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Apr. 14, 1897 Bay City, Michigan. Residents witnessed a sizable, conical-shaped airship with red lights at both ends, gradually descending from the sky
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00:30 around 12:30 AM. The object was described as being around 50 to 75 feet long, one-third as wide, and emitted a dull red glow, although no
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visible means of propulsion could be identified. (Chapter 1, Ref 11)
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12
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Apr. 14, 1897 Saginaw Michigan. Two policemen in Saginaw, Michigan, encountered a similar cigar-shaped object around 30 feet long with a red and yellow
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02:30 light shining through canvas, moving at approximately 25 miles per hour in a southerly direction. The officers were drawn to the scene by a
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drum-like noise, and the object had a distinct feature hanging about 10 feet below its main body. (Chapter 1, Ref 12)
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13
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Apr. 14, 1897 Casstown, Ohio. A farmer spotted a bird-shaped object resembling an enormous flying creature, with wings and a substantial tail or rudder,
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evening flying at around 150 feet above the ground. The witness heard what seemed like distant music and a human voice from the object before it
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disappeared into the evening twilight. (Chapter 1, Ref 13)
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14
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Apr. 15, 1897 Dunkirk Ohio. A flying object with wings, propellers, and lights was observed by two witnesses in a railroad tower, who reported hearing voices
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from it due to its proximity to the ground. Described as the size of a wagon bed, the object had a red light in the front and a greenish-yellow
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light at the back. (Chapter 1, Ref 14)
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15
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Apr. 15, 1897 Fairfield County, Ohio. On the same night, farmers in Fairfield County, Ohio, witnessed a cigar-shaped object with two pairs of canvas wings
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attached to it. The object appeared to be at an angle of around 45 degrees, as if it had recently landed and was ascending to avoid
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lower wind currents. (Chapter 1, Ref 15)
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16
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Apr. 16, 1897 Logan, Ohio. Continuing the pattern of anomalous events, a group in Logan, Ohio, witnessed a sudden flash of light followed by a large, dark,
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slow-flying shape over the town. The object was close enough to be heard, prompting three members of the group to pursue it in a buggy. They
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managed to get within 50 feet of the object, which was described as a black, boat-shaped airship about 40 feet long, before it swiftly
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rose and vanished into the night, with the witnesses reporting hearing voices from inside it. (Chapter 1, Ref 16)
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17
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Apr. 16, 1897 Upper Sandusky, Ohio. A distinct airship was spotted, described as being "40 feet in length, shaped like an auger, and having large windmill-like
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wings." The object, equipped with purple, yellow, and green lights, was seen diving towards the ground before ascending again and flying northward.
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(Chapter 1, Ref 17)
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18
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Apr. 18, 1897 Sistersville, West Virginia. A mysterious airship caused excitement in Sistersville, West Virginia, by hovering over the town and casting bright
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searchlights down. Described as cigar-shaped with large wings, the object featured flashing red, white, and green lights on its sides and ends.
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Those viewing it from a hill estimated its size to be around 180 feet in length and approximately 50 feet in diameter at the widest point. (Chapter 1, Ref 18)
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19
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May. 1897 Marble, Washington. In northeast Washington, the town of Marble experienced an air of excitement in May 1897 when an airship was spotted over the
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mountains in the southern part of town. The airship, recognized by its fans and a rotating front apparatus, moved rapidly in a northeasterly direction
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before disappearing from view, leaving the mill crew and townspeople stirred by the sight. (Chapter 1, Ref 19)
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20
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Apr. 11, 1897 Lock Mills, Indiana. During April 1897, amidst the airship sightings, some witnesses reported observing low-flying airships with visible occupants.
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In Lock Mills, Indiana, a man claimed to have been visited by an airship operator who projected "magic lantern" pictures on the side of his barn.
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(Chapter 1, Ref 20)
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21
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Apr. 19, 1897 Greenfield, Illinois. The postmaster of Greenfield, Illinois, witnessed an airship flying about 150 feet above him in the woods. He reported seeing
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a woman on a deck at the front of the craft, using a net to catch pigeons. (Chapter 1, Ref 21)
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22
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Apr. 19, 1897 9 miles from Greenfield, Illinois. A piece of paper with a message was found about nine miles from the April 19, 1897 Greenfield, Illinois sighting.
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The message was written on a letterhead from "Airship Co., Oakland, Cal.," describing a successful scheme of catching birds with a net and indicating
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the incredible speed of the airship, which had traveled between St. Louis, Chicago, and Kansas City in remarkably short periods of time. If
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accurate, this would indicate a speed of over 200 miles per hour, far beyond 19th-century norms. (Chapter 1, Ref 22)
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23
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Apr. 24, 1897 Louisville, Kentucky. A man observed a buzzing sound and spotted a cigar-shaped airship at an altitude of around 200 feet. The witness noticed
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evening a man standing at the stern of the craft, and two other men sitting in the helm, before the airship departed toward the south. (Chapter 1, Ref 23)
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24
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Apr. 25, 1897 Merkel, Texas. Witnesses returning from church observed a heavy object being dragged along by a rope, which eventually caught on a railroad rail.
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Upon looking up, they believed they saw an airship with lights in several windows, including a bright front light resembling a locomotive headlight.
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A man was seen descending the rope and cutting it when he noticed people nearby, before sailing off in a northeast direction, leaving the anchor
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on display at a local blacksmith shop. (Chapter 1, Ref 24)
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25
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Apr. 27, 1897 Elkton, Kentucky. A family was startled by their barking watchdog and saw a large cigar-shaped object with white wings in the sky. The object had
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19:00 visible guy ropes and rods, and three men were seen aboard, waving their hands as the machine flew a zig-zag course, suggesting it might have
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been malfunctioning. (Chapter 1, Ref 25)
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26
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Apr. 27, 1897 Pennsylvania. A flying machine resembling a large cigar was observed by reputable witnesses, who noted three visible men aboard the craft.
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19:00 The airship flew at an altitude of approximately 2,000 feet and appeared to be under the complete control of its operators, as reported by a
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local newspaper. (Chapter 1, Ref 26)
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27
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Dec. 7, 1896 Camptonville, California. Residents were alerted by cries when a large airship was flying over their town. The craft appeared to land nearby, and
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evening a group of five men investigated, finding a bearded man on board who communicated using an "alphabet." The man indicated he lived in the
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Montezuma Mountains with his family but declined further questioning. The airship was observed flying off the next day. (Chapter 1, Ref 27)
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28
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Apr. 13, 1897 Girard, Illinois. A telegraph operator received a message that an airship was approaching. A craft around 100 feet long and 25 feet wide, with
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a large letter "M" on its side, landed nearby. Witnesses observed several occupants in the "control car" before the airship rapidly ascended
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and flew northward. (Chapter 1, Ref 28)
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29
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Apr. 15, 1897 Outside Springfield, Illinois. Two farm workers claimed to have witnessed an airship landing, with a bearded man emerging from it and inquiring
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about the place. Another man and a woman were inside the car. The bearded occupant mentioned that the crew rested on the ground during the
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day and had just flown from Quincy to Springfield in 30 minutes. He pointed to the letter "M" on the car and stated his intention to report
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to the government when Cuba became free. After their conversation, the man reentered the craft, pressed a button, and the airship departed. (Chapter 1, Ref 29)
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30
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Apr. 14, 1897 Lake Erie near Cleveland. Two men on a fishing boat encountered a 40-foot-long object with a canopy that initially appeared to be another ship.
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A young man was seen fishing from the deck, accompanied by a woman and a child. As the fishing boat approached, the other craft released a
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large colored "balloon," ascended to around 500 feet, circled briefly, and then flew away. (Chapter 1, Ref 30)
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31
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Apr. 15, 1897 Lynn Grove, Iowa. An airship flew over Lynn Grove, Iowa, and seemed to land just outside town on the 15th. Local residents investigated, but
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the airship took off again, and witnesses reported seeing two men on board, along with four wings on the craft. (Chapter 1, Ref 31)
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32
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Apr. 16, 1897 Springfield, Missouri. A traveling agent claimed to encounter an airship with a beautiful woman and a bearded man. He described their appearance
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and interactions in great detail, including their gestures and the inside of the airship. His account was supported by his employer and
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family members who vouched for his reliability. (Chapter 1, Refs 32, 33, 34)
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33
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Apr. 16, 1897 Elburn Illinois. Farmers encountered a landed airship with two occupants who claimed to be traveling from the Pacific to the Atlantic coast
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along the Northwestern railway. The machine was described as lightweight and made of aluminum-like material. (Chapter 1, Ref 35)
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34
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Apr. 17, 1897 Texas. A prison official witnessed a landed airship resembling a large "whaleback ship" with wings and fins. The craft displayed colored
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banners and dazzling lights before rapidly ascending and disappearing. (Chapter 1, Ref 36)
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35
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Apr. 17, 1897 Conroe Texas. Three strangers who claimed to have landed their airship in Conroe, Texas, interacted with locals at a restaurant, stating they
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were flying from San Francisco to Cuba. After their departure, a brightly-lit airship was seen flying over the town. (Chapter 1, Ref 37)
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36
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Apr. 17, 1897 McKinney Bayou, Arkansas. A judge in Arkansas encountered a landed airship near Texarkana, manned by three men who spoke a foreign language,
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possibly Japanese. The judge explored the ship and noted it was made of aluminum, with gas used to control its altitude. (Chapter 1, Ref 38)
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37
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Apr. 22, 1897 Stephensville, Texas. An airship landed near Stephensville, Texas, with a 60-foot-long cigar-shaped object manned by two men, S.E. Tillman
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and A.E. Dolbear. Despite curiosity from local residents, the pilots declined to allow anyone to examine the airship, ultimately flying away. (Chapter 1, Ref 39)
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38
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May. 13, 1897 Homan, Arkansas. Captain Jim Hooton, a railroad conductor, reported encountering an airship near Homan, Arkansas. He observed a man aboard
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the ship wearing smoked glasses, and the ship's design included bulging sides, sharp edges, and rotating wheels that propelled it upward
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with a hissing sound before disappearing from sight. (Chapter 1, Ref 40)
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39
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May. 6, 1897 Hot Springs, Arkansas. A constable and a deputy sheriff near Hot Springs, Arkansas, encountered a cigar-shaped airship with occupants
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consisting of a man with a long beard, a young man, and a woman. The bearded man explained that they were traveling in the airship, and they
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invited the officers to take a ride. The witnesses left and returned later, but the airship had departed. (Chapter 1, Ref 41)
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40
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Apr. 19, 1897 near Norway, Wisconsin. A boy claimed to witness an airship landing on a farm. He reported seeing several occupants leaving the craft to
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gather water, which they poured into a container that resembled a boiler on the ship. (Chapter 1, Ref 42)
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41
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Apr. 17, 1897 Lexington, Kentucky. Three men witnessed an airship landing. They saw a man around 40 years old from the craft collecting water from a
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evening stream. Despite their attempts to converse, the man remained silent and soon departed in the airship. (Chapter 1, Ref 43)
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42
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Apr. 17, 1897 Upland, Indiana. An airship landed at a feed mill near Upland, Indiana. A heavyset man with long whiskers emerged, bought cattle feed,
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evening and upon returning to the ship, he pressed a button that caused the airship to take off and depart. (Chapter 1, Ref 44)
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43
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Apr. 17, 1897 Muncie, Indiana. an airship landed near Muncie, and one of the occupants requested milk from a farmer. After receiving the milk, the
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man pulled on a cord, and the airship took off and flew away. (Chapter 1, Ref 45)
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44
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Apr. 21, 1897 Harrisburg, Arkansas. An ex-senator encountered an airship crew who revealed their craft's anti-gravity operation. The crew consisted
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of an elderly man with a long beard, two younger men, and a woman. The crew shared their ability to suspend gravity using a wire,
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and after a polite conversation, they flew off in their airship. (Chapter 1, Ref 46)
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45
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Apr. 22, 1897 Texas. A farmer encountered an airship with bright lights and wings that landed on his property. The occupant of the airship requested
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lubricating oil and tools, offering money in exchange. The occupant declined to allow the farmer to approach the airship but
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promised to reciprocate the kindness by taking him on a future trip. The farmer managed to gather some items, and upon his return,
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the aeronaut thanked him, shook his hand, and mentioned flying to Greece in a matter of days before taking off at high speed. (Chapter 1, Ref 47)
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46
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1896 San Luis, California. In the 1896 California incidents preceding the 1897 airship wave, a sailor in San Luis Obispo claimed to have
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been taken on an airship ride by a Spanish-speaking pilot and a female companion. This adventurous exception involved a flight
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experience in an airship. (Chapter 1, Ref 48)
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47
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Apr. 16, 1897 Bluffton, Indiana. A cigar-shaped airship descended in the village with two men and a boy on board. The villagers interacted with them,
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and some members of the fire department were taken on a short ride. The airship eventually departed with lanterns lit, heading
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towards Camden. (Chapter 1, Ref 49)
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48
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May. 4, 1897 Jenny Lind, Arkansas. Three bicyclists encountered a landed airship with two occupants named George Autzerlitz and Joseph Eddleman.
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They conversed with the pilots, who claimed to have dined on birds caught in flight. One of the bicyclists was offered and accepted
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a ride in the airship, flying to the nearby town of Huntington. (Chapter 1, Ref 50)
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49
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Apr. 6, 1897 Peru, Nebraska. A man encountered an airship on a small island in the Missouri River. The airship's crew explained that they had
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landed for repairs on a searchlight. The ship was described as cigar-shaped, about 200 feet long, and operated by large
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gasoline engines connected to steel snail shell-shaped devices for propulsion. (Chapter 1, Ref 51)
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50
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Apr. 15, 1897 Cisco, Texas. A man encountered a landed airship approximately 200 feet long with crewmen repairing a searchlight. Similar to a
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previous incident, the witness was informed that the airship was heading to Cuba with a cargo of dynamite. (Chapter 1, Ref 52)
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51
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Apr. 15, 1897 Pine Lake, Michigan. An airship crew stopped at Pine Lake, Michigan, for repairs and provisions. A witness reported being
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awakened by a tap on his window and a bright light, and the crew requested egg sandwiches and coffee, which they hoisted on
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board in exchange for payment. The witness observed the ship with a brilliant searchlight and red lights at each end, noting
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its departure towards the city just before daylight. (Chapter 1, Ref 53)
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52
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Apr. 15, 1897 Chattanooga, Tennessee. Local citizens in Chattanooga, Tennessee encountered an airship that had landed on a mountain spur for
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repairs. The crew explained that their machinery was out of order and one of the men identified himself as Professor Charles
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Davidson, claiming the ship had been traveling across the country after leaving Sacramento a month earlier. (Chapter 1, Ref 54)
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53
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Apr. 1897 Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Nora, Illinois. An electrician in Chillicothe, Missouri, was summoned to recharge an airship's
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fuel supply during the night, and a railway worker assisted in repairing a faulty steering mechanism for an airship
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near Nora, Illinois. (Chapter 1, Ref 55)
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54
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Apr. 12, 1897 Kalamazoo, Michigan. Witnesses claimed to have observed an illuminated airship that suddenly exploded with a loud noise,
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leaving behind evidence like a coil of heavy wire and partially-fused propeller blades. The witnesses described the object's
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rapid movement and subsequent explosion. (Chapter 1, Ref 56)
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55
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Apr. 13, 1897 Battle Creek, Michigan. A bright object seen near Battle Creek, Michigan, was described as a meteor-like airship that
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dropped a part resembling a large aluminum wheel with a turbine shape. The wheel was discovered by witnesses in a field and
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kept as a memento on a local farm. (Chapter 1, Ref 57)
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56
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Apr. 7, 1897 Bethany, Missouri. In a letter to a Missouri newspaper, a witness reported witnessing an airship crash near Bethany. The two
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occupants were fatally injured, and the letters found on them indicated a possible origin from San Francisco or Omaha. (Chapter 1, Ref 58)
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57
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Apr. 10, 1897 Lanark, Illinois. A farmer reported an airship crash during a blizzard near Lanark. Two occupants were killed, and a third, dressed in
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a unique manner, survived and claimed to be from Mars. The farmer charged people to view the "Martian" until he recovered
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and repaired his craft. (Chapter 1, Ref 59)
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58
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Nov. 17, 1897 Sacramento, California. Despite theories of an alien origin, the prevailing belief surrounding the mystery airships of the late
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19th century pointed to an earthly source. The prevailing notion was that an unknown inventor or inventors within the
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United States had achieved breakthroughs in flight technology. Reports of airship inventors date back to the earliest days of the
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phenomenon, as exemplified by a telegram from a New York entrepreneur in 1896 claiming plans to fly his invention to California. (Chapter 1, Ref 60)
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59
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Nov. 22, 1897 San Francisco, California. A San Francisco lawyer initially claimed to know the inventor behind the mystery airship, describing it as a
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metal machine with wings and a rudder, capable of ascending and descending gracefully. The inventor was identified as E. H. Benjamin,
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a former dentist from Maine. However, the story took confusing turns as the lawyer's statements were retracted, replaced by another
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lawyer's claims of multiple airships under development, with details of their potential capabilities. Eventually, all pronouncements
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ceased, and no airship was publicly presented for inspection. (Chapter 1, Ref 61)
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60
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Nov. 22, 1897 San Francisco, California. An individual claimed to have encountered an airship in the Tamalpais range of mountains near San Francisco.
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The witness described meeting six men working on the ship, which was said to be the source of the mysterious lights seen in the sky.
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The ship was reported to make trial trips at night and return before daylight as it continued its development. (Chapter 1, Ref 62)
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61
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Dec. 2, 1897 San Francisco, California. Two fishermen near San Francisco claimed to have witnessed an airship descending and landing on the ocean
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surface. They observed the crew guiding the craft to shore, and despite being initially ordered to leave, they were later allowed to
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observe the crew making repairs and share a meal from the airship's provisions. (Chapter 1, Ref 63)
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62
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Dec. 7, 1897 Fresno, California. A letter in a Fresno newspaper claimed that the airship was present in Fresno County and mentioned details about
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its construction and functionality. The letter indicated that the airship's inventor had faced involuntary challenges during its
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flight and was planning to bring the airship to Fresno for public viewing pending favorable news from Washington. (Chapter 1, Ref 64)
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63
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Dec. 6, 1897 Watertown, CA. Residents of Watertown reported seeing a large airship with a bright light narrowly avoiding collision with the town's
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post office, providing potential corroboration for a letter writer's account of the airship's presence in the area. (See Dec. 7, 1897.) (Chapter 1, Ref 65)
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64
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Apr. 19, 1897 Beaumont, Texas. Approximate date. A rabbi in Texas encountered an airship that had landed on a farm near Beaumont. He spoke briefly with one of the
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occupants who mentioned traveling and testing the machine but couldn't recall specific details about the inventor or the place of origin. (Chapter 1, Ref 66)
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65
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Apr. 1897 Appleton, Wisconsin. A letter found near Appleton, Wisconsin, claimed to be from the occupants of an airship named "Pegasus." The letter
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described their successful aerial navigation experiments, achieving speeds of 150 miles per hour and reaching a height of 2,500 feet.
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They stated the airship was propelled by steam, lit by electricity, and had a carrying capacity of 1,000 pounds. (Chapter 1, Ref 67)
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66
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Apr. 1897 Newport, Kentucky. A message reportedly dropped from an airship named "Pegasus" was found by Miss L. Remme in her yard. The note claimed
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the airship had traveled 200 miles at 40 miles an hour since 4:30 Friday afternoon and intended to reach Nashville by Sunday at 3:30. (Chapter 1, Ref 68)
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67
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Apr. 22, 1897 Lorain, Ohio. A note allegedly dropped from an airship named "Airoia" was found by a prominent townsman. The note claimed the airship
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had traveled across various states, fished in the Great Lakes, and was piloted by William R. Harris, along with his wife and child.
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The writer mentioned plans to return to New Mexico and construct a larger boat to cross the sea. (Chapter 1, Ref 69)
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68
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Apr. 10, 1897 Omaha, Nebraska. In Nebraska, especially near Hastings, rumors of an airship inventor circulated in 1897. The individual was said to be
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working on an airship and keeping their identity hidden to prevent theft of their invention by unscrupulous individuals. (Chapter 1, Ref 70)
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69
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1897 Omaha, Nebraska. In Omaha, John O. Preast was speculated to be the inventor behind the mysterious airship sightings. Known for his experiments
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with airships over the past decade, Preast was suspected of working on a functioning model. The airship's sightings near his residence
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further fueled these speculations. (Chapter 1, Ref 71)
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70
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1897 Nebraska. An individual named Anton Pallardy claimed that the airship sightings in Nebraska were real and not a myth. He suggested that
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the airship was constructed in the remote Mauvais Terres region and described its appearance as resembling a large umbrella with a
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transparent covering. (Chapter 1, Ref 72)
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71
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1890 Mt. Carmel, Illinois} Edward J. Pennington, a successful manufacturer, claimed to be an airship inventor and intended to create a large
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aluminum airship propelled by hydrogen gas and a gasoline engine-powered propeller, capable of speeds up to 250 miles per hour. (Chapter 1, Refs 73, 74)
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72
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1891 Chicago. Edward J. Pennington demonstrated a 30-foot unmanned model of his airship inside a Chicago exhibition hall, which circled at
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25 feet and achieved a speed of six miles per hour. Despite public enthusiasm, his attempt to scale up the model for a full-sized airship
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faced challenges, leading to the failure of the Mt. Carmel Aeronautic Navigation Company. (Chapter 1, Ref 75, 76, 77)
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73
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1850's Sonora, California. Charles A. Dellschau and a group known as the Aero Club, comprised of inventive individuals, reportedly secretly built
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and flew revolutionary aircraft in the 1850s. Dellschau's illustrated notebooks detail their activities, claiming the aircraft used a
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substance called "supe" or "NB" with anti-gravity properties for propulsion and lights, but disbanded after the substance's inventor
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died, with mention of a possible larger secret organization called NYMZA. (Chapter 1, Ref 78)
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74
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1897 Texas. Amidst the airship mystery, an 1897 report suggested a potential connection between the mysterious airship sightings and
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government experiments. It was speculated that the U.S. government, employing a high-salary aeronaut, might be working on airship-related
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experiments at Fort Logan near Denver, leading to theories about government involvement in the phenomenon. (Chapter 1, Ref 79)
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75
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Dec. 1, 1896 Sandy Beach, CA. During the late 19th Century airship mystery, an electrician named John A. Horen claimed to have witnessed a functioning
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airship in California. He recounted an encounter with an inventor aboard the airship, describing its noiseless and swift flight, and
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claimed it could travel to places like Honolulu and back within about 48 hours at a speed of around 100 miles per hour. (Chapter 1, Ref 80)
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76
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Apr. 16, 1897 Greenville, Texas. A man encountered a landed airship near Greenville Texas, described as a large cigar-shaped vessel with wings, a wheel
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at the front, and a fish-like tail at the rear. The crew claimed to be experimenting with the vessel and planning to revolutionize
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travel and transportation using electrical machines for propulsion and lights. (Chapter 1, Ref 81)
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77
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Apr. 16, 1897 Decatur, Illinois. During the late 19th century, a newspaper reporter from Decatur, Illinois, claimed to have been taken on an airship
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ride by inventor C. Devonbaugh. The airship featured a cabin suspended beneath gas-filled cylinders, powered by a new electricity-based
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process. The reporter described a high-speed nighttime trip to Chicago with colorful electric lights and mentioned the inventor's offer
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to assist Cuban rebels with the airship's capabilities. (Chapter 1, Ref 82)
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78
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Apr. 22, 1897 Josserand, Trinity County, Texas. A Texas farmer observed a large, brightly lit vessel in his cornfield and spoke with a crew of six or
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eight individuals. The crew claimed the aerial navigation problem had been solved using a newly discovered self-sustaining material
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and highly condensed electricity for propulsion. They mentioned building five such ships in Iowa and forming a stock company for
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the invention's public release. (Chapter 1, Ref 83)
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79
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Apr. 25, 1897 Lancaster, Ohio. A prominent individual claimed to have encountered a massive airship with two occupants. The craft had brilliant
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lights and unique features, including tubular wires that were both strong and lightweight. The inventor, referring to the craft
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as an "aeribarque," demonstrated its anti-gravity capabilities, advanced temperature control, and colorful lights before
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ascending and departing rapidly. (Chapter 1, Ref 84)
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80
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May. 13, 1897 Savannah, Ohio. A wealthy recluse residing near Savannah, Ohio, who had recently returned from Nebraska, was suspected by his neighbors
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of experimenting with an airship, potentially linking him to the local airship sightings. (Chapter 1, Ref 85)
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81
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May. 1, 1897 Shiloh, Ohio. Residents of Shiloh, Ohio, reported witnessing a well-lit, cylindrical airship with sails and propellers, apparently
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created by an unnamed inventor. The airship was described as rising into the air and moving swiftly against the wind. (Chapter 1, Ref 86)
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82
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Apr. 19, 1897 near the Texas-Louisiana border. In 1897, a man named Wilson frequently appeared in connection with occupants of landed airships. Near the
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Texas-Louisiana border, an airship landed, and two occupants introduced themselves as Mr. Wilson and Scott Warren. The witness was
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invited aboard the airship, where he saw an 8-by-14-foot cabin with reclining chairs, incandescent lamps, and a unique propulsion
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system powered by a secret gas. Wilson explained navigation techniques involving magnetic wheels and propellers. The airship was
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around 75 by 25 feet and had a top speed of approximately 160 miles per hour. (Chapter 1, Ref 87)
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83
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Apr. 19, 1897 Beaumont, Texas. In another incident in 1897, a farmer and his son discovered a landed airship near Beaumont, Texas. The
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airship, measuring around 130 feet long and 20 feet wide, had four men outside, including one named Wilson. Wilson explained that the
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ship used water ballast for landing and described its propulsion system involving large wings and propellers powered by electricity.
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He mentioned that the airship was made of steel and contained compartments for compressed air, and it was on its way from a flight
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over the Gulf of Mexico to Iowa. (Chapter 1, Ref 88)
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84
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Apr. 20, 1897 Uvalde, Texas. A Texas sheriff encountered a landed airship on his property near Uvalde. The airship's occupants, including one
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named Wilson, requested water for their craft. Wilson mentioned being from Goshen, New York, and inquired about an acquaintance
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named Sheriff Akers. This incident brought to mind previous interactions with a man named Wilson who had been working on aerial
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navigation and inventions related to airships, leading to suspicions that this might be the same person. After loading water,
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the airship's wings and fins were set in motion, and it departed northward toward San Angelo. (Chapter 1, Ref 89)
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85
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Apr. 23, 1897 Kountze, Texas. Two individuals claimed to have found a landed airship near Kountze, Texas. The airship had a cigar-shaped
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appearance, measuring about 50 feet in length and 20 feet in width. The occupants of the craft, introduced as Jackson and
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Wilson, were in the process of repairing a punctured "air compartment." Interestingly, there was also a member named Wilson
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mentioned among the California Aero Club members identified by Charles Dellschau in his notebooks, although this might
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be a mere coincidence. (Chapter 1, Refs 90, 91)
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