The Aurora Incident

On April 17, 1897, during the Great Airship Wave, a mysterious craft allegedly crashed into a windmill in Aurora, Texas. The pilot’s body was described as “not of this world” by local officials, and was reportedly buried in the town cemetery with Christian rites.

The Airship Wave

1896-1897:

• Wave of sightings across America
• Mysterious airships
• Before Wright Brothers
• Unexplained

The Dallas Morning News

April 19, 1897:

• Published account
• Written by S.E. Haydon
• Local correspondent
• Detailed story

The Crash

According to report:

• Around 6:00 AM
• Airship appeared
• Traveling slowly
• Engine trouble apparent
• Hit windmill

The Pilot

The body found:

• Small being
• “Not of this world”
• Disfigured from crash
• Papers with hieroglyphics
• Unknown origin

The Burial

Townspeople decided:

• Bury with respect
• Christian ceremony
• Local cemetery
• Unmarked grave
• Humane treatment

Texas Historical Marker

Official recognition:

• State marker placed
• Acknowledges story
• Tourist attraction
• Historical interest

Significance

Aurora case significant for:

• Pre-flight era
• Crash claim
• Body recovery
• Contemporary documentation
• Enduring mystery

Legacy

Whether hoax or history, the Aurora incident represents one of the earliest alleged UFO crash retrievals. The story predates the Wright Brothers and remains a fascinating piece of unexplained Americana.