Flying Saucer LbNA #66108

The term Flying Saucer was used as early as 1878, in Denison, Texas, by farmer John Martin. Martin was outside of Denison on a hunting trip on January 2, when he was shocked to see an unknown object flying over his head. This was unheard of at the time, being years before the Wright Brothers first flight. The object that Martin saw was actually "round," but he used the common term "saucer" to describe what the object looked like at arm's length. Martin had first seen the object in the distance, but it grew larger and larger as it came closer to him. The object appeared to be moving fast, but he had nothing to compare it with, except a balloon or a kite. The object was of a dark color, or possibly it was lit from behind, causing it to appear dark to Martin. He would report his fantastic sighting to local authorities.

The local newspaper, the Denison Daily News reported his sighting in an article on January 25, 1878, titled, "A Strange Phenomenon." The newspaper reporter, unfamiliar with this type of report, used Martin's startling account almost verbatim. "From Mr. John Martin, a farmer who lives some six miles south of this city, we learn the following strange story: Tuesday morning while out hunting, his attention was directed to a dark object high up in the southern sky. The peculiar shape and velocity with which the object seemed to approach riveted his attention and he strained his eyes to discover its character. When first noticed, it appeared to be about the size of an orange, which continued to grow in size. After gazing at it for some time Mr. Martin became blind from long looking and left off viewing it for a time in order to rest his eyes. On resuming his view, the object was almost overhead and had increased considerably in size, and appeared to be going through space at wonderful speed. When directly over him it was about the size of a large saucer and was evidently at great height. Mr. Martin thought it resembled, as well as he could judge, a balloon. It went as rapidly as it had come and was soon lost to sight in the heavenly skies. Mr. Martin is a gentleman of undoubted veracity and this strange occurrence, if it was not a balloon, deserves the attention of our scientists."

DIRECTIONS TO THE "FLYING SAUCER" LETTERBOX: This box is hidden in Eisenhower State Park on the Texas side of Lake Texoma. From Dallas, take U.S. Hwy. 75 north to Denison, TX. Take exit 72 to State Hwy. 91 north to Denison Dam, to FM 1310 West. Go 1.8 miles to Park Road 20 entrance.

At the entrance to the park, pay your fee and get a trail map. Make your way to the Fishing Pier at the Fossil Ridge Campsite area where you will find a parking area across from campsite 156. After parking you will see steps leading down to a fishing pier. Go down the steps until you come to a wide trail crossing the stairs. Go left of the trail (do not continue down the steps to the pier). In about 45 steps, you will see a very large oak tree about ten feet off the trail on your right. Continue past this tree about another 8 steps and you will come to a small clearing on your left. Look about 20 feet into the clearing for a small outcropping of rocks. Make you way to the rocks and you will discover a smaller pile of rocks toward the front of the outcropping which is concealing that which you are seeking.

Note: If you feel like a little longer hike through a beautiful wooded area, you may park by the trailhead marked on your map as Trail Marker 9. This trail leads to the Ammonite Scenic Point. There is another wonderful letterbox hidden along this trail which I am certain you will want to find. After finding it, you can proceed about another 8 minutes down the trail until you come to the steps mentioned in my clues, and go from there.