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Aurora, Texas UFO Crash

Years before the Wright Brothers, an 'airship' crashed into a windmill in Aurora, Texas. The pilot was described as 'not of this world.' He was buried in the local cemetery with full rites. Metal from the wreckage fell into a well. The grave marker disappeared.

1897
Aurora, Texas, USA
100+ witnesses

The Aurora crash predates modern aviation.

The Incident

April 17, 1897:

  • Airship approached town
  • Crashed into windmill
  • Judge Proctor’s property
  • Pilot killed
  • Debris scattered

The Pilot

According to reports:

  • Small being
  • “Not of this world”
  • Papers with hieroglyphics
  • Given Christian burial
  • Aurora cemetery

The Burial

Strange interment:

  • Full funeral rites
  • Local cemetery
  • Grave marker placed
  • Later removed
  • Exact location disputed

The Well

Physical evidence:

  • Wreckage thrown in well
  • Metallic debris
  • Well later sealed
  • Property owners refused access
  • Allegedly contaminated

Modern Investigation

Research attempts:

  • MUFON investigation 1973
  • Grave located (maybe)
  • Radar showed anomaly
  • No exhumation permitted
  • Cemetery refuses

The Controversy

Hoax or real:

  • Newspaper reporter S.E. Haydon
  • Town dying (wanted attention?)
  • No other witnesses found
  • But consistent with wave
  • 1897 airship sightings

Sources

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