Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-10-28
SPOOK IN HEAVENS
TARGET FOR SHOTS
Citizens in Northeast Section
Mystified by Soaring
Something"

A white object Of sufficient luminosity
TO outline dtmly itself against the sky,
described by some who saw 1t as being
huge bird. and by otuers as noiseless
aeroplane. is reported to have scared
about in the air for two hours or more
last night to the northeast OF the CITY,
1t was seen by residents Of Brightwood
and Takoma Park between the hours OF
7:3o and o'clock. It was shot ut several
times with rifles.
The evolutions of this mysterious object
were witnessed by many residents OF
North Brightwood. Some declare that it
carried light which could be seen quite
plainly at times. but which disappeared
at intervals. All maintain it had a shape
not unlike that of a monoplane and yet
none heard the customary purring sound
OF the motor. Every one who saw 1t
is completely mystified, and while many
explanations OF the phenomenon have
been offered no one has been accepted
as being entirely satisfactory.
Not Noticed by Officials.
Inquiry at the Naval Observatory and
at the weather bureau today developed
the fact that no unusual atmospheric
phenomena were recorded last night. At
the weather bureau 1t was said that the
mysterious white object could not have
been a cloud. for it appeared to move in
wide circle. having q radius Of mile
or more. A number Of the experts at
the observatory were at their instruments
iast night during the hours when the OBJ
1ect was seen at Brightwood, but none of
them recorded anything unusual.
inquiry at the aviation field at College
Park today developed the fact that there
are three aeroplanes quartered in hangers
there, but that none of them made any
flights yesterday.
The first person to see the mysterious
white object in the vicinity Of Bright
wood was William Fowler, the twelve
year-oid son Of J. Edward Fowler Of 9O1
Fittenhouse street, who was talking to
some playmates in front of his home at
the time. The object appeared to be
right overhead at the time. The boy
called his father. who ran out onto the
lawn In front Of the residence.
Looked Like Huge Bird.
'The object was circling about in the
air to the northeast Of the house." said
Mr. Fowler today. 'It had the appear
ance of huge bird. and scared about
like an eagle. From time to time it would
dip down toward the earth and then rise
again. 1t seemed to be a hundred or
more feet in the air, and as large as an
aeroplane. 1t made no noise.''
soon the entire community was aroused,
ana score or more OF residents gath
cred in the center of Rittenhouse street
and viewed the strange object. Opera
glasses and field glasses were brought out
In order to obtain better view.
Howard Galley. son of Albert s. Cat
ley, cashier of Lincoln National Bank,
took several shots at the strang OBJ
1ect with a 22-caliber rifle. Shots also
were fired at it with weapons Of great
err power. Mr.. Galley said the object
had the appearance of gigantic white
bird.
Followed Wide Circle.
1T seemed to be flying in wide
circle" said Mr.. Galley today. TT ap-
peared to be over Takoma Park at
times and then seemed to come within
a comparatively short distance from
where he was standing.
THE thing was to slight degree
luminous. for although the night was
quite dark we could follow Nits flight.
At no time could we get a very definite
idea of it's shape"
F. w. Heine, who lives just south of
Takoma, said the object had the appear
ance of a huge swan. He was of the
opinion it was a noiseless flying machine
of some description. He said it carried
a light which could be seen at intervals
George Goodacre of Georgia avenue and
Rittenhouse street said he saw strange
object flying about In the air and thought
it was some unusually large bird. The
thing mystified him by reason of the
fact that he could see it flying about
high in the air, although the night was
dark