Airships

Shaded counties reported sightings of “Airships” or UFO in 1897.

The week of April 13-19 was exciting throughout the country in 1897. Or scary. Or humorous, depending on one’s viewpoint. Countless sightings of “airships” were reported that week. The media of the day, newspapers, had a field day with tongue-in-cheek articles and a plethora of corny jokes.

Prohibitionists blamed liquor; churchgoers believed the world was coming to an end, and Dr. E. Stuart of Ennis, an “acknowledged authority in metaphysics”, pronounced the sightings were due to hypnotism and bad whisky. The center of the sightings was right here in North Texas. Two sightings occurred in Hunt County, close to home.

Between April 13 and 17, 1897, there were 38 reported sightings of “airships” in 23 counties in Texas, most seen in our area. Various descriptions were given of the “airships”. Generally, it was described as a cigar-shaped body with cabins about 50 to 60 feet long. Propellers at each end, large bat-like wings, and huge floodlights at the front and back completed the general descriptions.

Several witnesses reported talking to the crews and passengers. Judge Love of Waxahachie had a long conversation with the crew who claimed to be from the North Pole. Another report from Waxahachie believed a woman controlled by the devil operated that machine.

But C. G. Williams here in Greenville was told they came from a little town in the interior of New York. The crew told Mr. Williams, “Don’t give this thing away. We are experimenting with this vessel. So far, it is a success . . .”

In Farmersville, an eyewitness saw three men in the cabin and heard them singing “Nearer My God to Thee.” They reportedly were passing out temperance tracts.

One aeronautical authority in Dallas was asked if he ever saw an “airship”? He replied that he had not; but that he didn’t imbibe in spirits and never went downtown after dark.

Two farmers in Hill County near the town of Abbott, Willie Nelson’s hometown, witnessed a man and six boys float out of the sky like birds. Once the birds spotted the humans, they remained stationary for a few seconds before ascending into Heaven and out of sight.

The most spectacular event was near the small town of Aurora in Wise County. An “airship” struck a windmill, and exploded. The body of a small man, identified as a Martian, was recovered and buried in the Aurora Cemetery. Pieces of the vehicle were recovered to be displayed and sold. The incident later inspired a movie, The Aurora Encounter. Needless to say, it was not well received by the film world.

Ironically, wet/dry elections occurred shortly afterwards. The majority of North Texas counties voted dry. Wonder if the “airships” warned the voters of a possible future? Anyhow, there is a mural on a building in downtown Greenville depicting Little Men enjoying the festive music and fun here in the 21st century.

My thanks to Mike Kingston for his article When “Airships” Invaded Texas printed in the 1990-1991 Texas Almanac.