Cincinnati, 1954: um cabeleireiro procura o FBI para saber se a palestra de um “contatado” de discos era verdade ou fraude

Office Memorandum. United States Government. To: Director, FBI. Date: 6-8-54. From: SAC, Cincinnati (100-0). Subject: Truman Bethurum; Flying Discs; Information Concerning. On 6-7-54, Mr. Thomas Eickhoff, [...] Cincinnati 23, Ohio, and Mr. Ralph Zimmermann, [...] Cincinnati 12, Ohio, called at this office. Mr. Eickhoff advised he is the operator of a beauty salon in the Neave Building, Cincinnati, and Mr. Zimmermann advised he is President of the Zimmermann Packing Company in Cincinnati. Mr. Eickhoff did all the talking for the two men and he furnished the following information: On 6-3-54 an ad appeared in the "Cincinnati Enquirer," a newspaper of general circulation, Cincinnati, Ohio, to the effect that on 6-11-54 a program would be presented at Taft Auditorium, Cincinnati, Ohio, on "The Real Flying Saucer Story." The advertisement which Mr. Eickhoff exhibited disclosed no sponsor for this program and it was only noted on the ad that tickets for the program sold for $2.00 per person and would be on sale at the Central Ticket Office in Cincinnati. Mr. Eickhoff advised that although he belongs to no organization interested in flying saucers, he has been interested in this subject and has been interested to the extent that he desired to know the sponsorship of the program. He stated that he found out from the Central Ticket Office that the ad had been placed by Henry Maday, [...] Ferndale 20, Michigan. He advised that he telephonically contacted Maday on 6-3-54 and Maday stated that he was only the agent for renting the hall and that he was acting on behalf of Truman Bethurum and George Hunt Williamson. He stated that on 6-4-54 Maday called him back and told him that there had been a disagreement between Maday, Bethurum and Williamson over Maday's arrangements for the sale of tickets for the program and the renting of the hall. Eickhoff advised that at this time Maday said nothing to discredit either Bethurum or Williamson and indicated that their disagreement only concerned his placing the ad in the newspaper prior to having the tickets for the program available in Cincinnati. RCD:CVM. CC: Los Angeles (RM); Indianapolis (RM). Registered mail. Air mail special delivery. Recorded - 86. Indexed - 86. 62-83894-342. 20 Jun 11 1954.

Letter to Director, June 8, 1954. Mr. Eickhoff continued that ten minutes after he had talked to Maday on 6-4-54, he received a call from George Hunt Williamson and a Mr. Manspeaker, who confirmed to him that Maday was no longer associated with them, and who asked that Eickhoff meet with them at a luncheon at the Terrace Plaza Hotel on 6-7-54. Mr. Eickhoff, in explanation of his interest in this matter, advised that he had read such books as "Flying Saucers From Outer Space," written by Donald E. Kehoe, retired major, U. S. Marine Corps, which book was published by Harper's Publishers, and a book entitled "Flying Saucers Have Landed," by George Adamski, which book is published by Werner-Lowery Company in England, and is distributed by the British Book Center in New York City. He said that he has also heard broadcasts by persons he considers reputable news commentators, such as Walter Winchell, Fulton Lewis, Jr., and Frank Edwards, to the effect that reliable persons have reported observing flying discs or saucers. He said contrary to these reports, the U. S. Air Force has denied the existence of the flying saucer and he felt that persons such as Truman Bethurum and George Hunt Williamson, in presenting a program such as that contemplated, were either truthful or they were frauds. He stated that if they had a true story to tell, then he felt it was of such nature that it should be given as wide a distribution as possible, so that the people might learn the true facts regarding flying discs. He said, however, if their story was not true, then the holding of such a meeting as was contemplated would be a fraud on the general public. He estimated that such a meeting in Cincinnati might draw two thousand people, which, at $2.00 apiece, would result in a $4,000.00 take for the promoters. To identify Truman Bethurum, Mr. Eickhoff had with him two copies of the magazine "Valor," which he stated he got from Bethurum, this magazine being self-identified as the "Golden Times Weekly," published by Soul Craft Chapels, Post Office Box 192, Noblesville, Indiana. The two issues which Mr. Eickhoff had with him were numbers 15 and 16 of volume 6 of the publication, the number 15 being dated 2-6-54 and number 16 being dated 2-13-54. The number 15 issue contained an article concerning Truman Bethurum, in which he is identified as a truck driver from Redondo Beach, California, and it refers to an article dated 12-31-53, which appeared in the "Daily Breeze," a newspaper at Redondo Beach, California, which allegedly contained a description of an encounter

Letter to Director, June 8, 1954. which Truman Bethurum had with a crew of assumed space explorers under the supervision of a ravishing woman commandant in the Nevada desert. The article also reflects that Truman Bethurum allegedly was aboard flying saucers on eleven occasions. At the bottom of the first page of issue number 15 there appeared in what Mr. Eickhoff stated was the handwriting of Truman Bethurum the statement "This is a true story, a factual experience -- Truman Bethurum." The above mentioned article in "Valor" also reflected that Truman Bethurum is 55 years of age and that his residence address is [...] Redondo Beach, California. Mr. Eickhoff also had with him a letter addressed to Truman Bethurum from William Gilroy of the Saucers Research Foundation, which letter reflected that that organization was holding a three-day convention June 4, 5 and 6, 1954 at the Carthay Circle Theatre in Los Angeles, California, and that it had invited Truman Bethurum to this convention to say a few words concerning his experience. Gilroy was identified in this letter as business manager of Criswell Predicts Your World of Tomorrow, [...] Hollywood 28, California. Mr. Eickhoff reiterated that he felt Bethurum's story, if true, should be given wide publicity, but that if the story was false, then he should be prosecuted for fraud. He stated that he first took his information to the Air Force in the person of Lieutenant Colonel John O'Mara of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, whom Eickhoff visited personally at O'Mara's home in Fairborn, Ohio, on Sunday, 6-6-54. Eickhoff indicated that he asked Colonel O'Mara if there were such things as flying saucers and if Bethurum's story could be true, and he said O'Mara denied that there was such a thing as a flying saucer and indicated to him that Donald E. Kehoe, the author of "Flying Saucers in Outer Space" was a fraud and that information is available in Washington that Kehoe is a fraud. He said he was advised, however, by Colonel O'Mara that the Air Force could take no action with respect to Bethurum or Williamson. Eickhoff continued that it was his intention to aid in the promotion of a meeting for Bethurum in Cincinnati. He advised that the original meeting scheduled for June 11 had been cancelled, and that he felt this meeting had such important information for the people as a whole that he was going to make every effort to make the meeting one of national

Letter to Director, June 8, 1954. significance. He said he intended to invite to the meeting all nationally prominent news commentators. He intended to try to get radio time to advertise the meeting but he did not wish to participate in this matter in any way if it would violate security regulations in any manner, or if Bethurum and his associates were in any way fraudulent. He stated that he so informed Bethurum, Williamson and Mr. Manspeaker at the luncheon meeting which was held at the Terrace Plaza Hotel on 6-7-54. They informed him that they were not afraid of an investigation; that Bethurum's story was factual, and that they had no objection to Eickhoff's advising Government authorities regarding it. Mr. Eickhoff stated that his report to this office was part of his plan to inform all the Federal agencies he thought should know about the activities of Bethurum. He advised that in line with his contemplated plans that on the evening of 6-7-54 there was to be another meeting at the home of L. H. Stringfield, [...] Cincinnati 27, Ohio, at which meeting there would be Mr. Stringfield, Williamson, Manspeaker, Bethurum, Ralph Zimmermann and Mr. Eickhoff. He said at this meeting they would plan a method of operation and make arrangements for this meeting of national significance. He said he intended to set the date of the meeting far enough in advance so that if any Governmental agency determined that there was fraud involved that agency would have sufficient time to act prior to the holding of the meeting. He advised he intended to keep a detailed record of all actions taken by this group, and that he would voluntarily furnish such information to the FBI. Eickhoff advised that he had not known and had not met either Bethurum, Williamson or Manspeaker prior to the events described above. He said that George Hunt Williamson identified himself as an archeologist and a writer for the magazine "Valor," who resides in Noblesville, Indiana. He said that Manspeaker, whose first name he did not know, is also connected with "Valor" magazine in some way. He was asked as to what interest "Valor" magazine has in Bethurum, and whether Bethurum was sponsored by any other organization. He advised that he did not know the interest of "Valor" magazine in Bethurum, and so far as he knew, Bethurum was acting on his own and had no organizational affiliations or sponsorship. He was asked as to what disposition would be made of receipts from a large meeting and he advised that he did not know what disposition would be made of the money. He said he understood that

Letter to Director, June 8, 1954. Bethurum had been on tour for some time and that the meeting scheduled for Cincinnati originally on 6-11-54 was to be the beginning of a new series of meetings. The files of this office contain no information which can be identified with Thomas Eickhoff, Truman Bethurum, George Hunt Williamson, L. H. Stringfield, and Lt. Col. John O'Mara. The indices reflect that by letter dated 2-7-52, Indianapolis file 61-5, the Indianapolis Office advised the Cincinnati Office under the caption of "Silver Shirt Legion of America, Inc.; Internal Security - X," that the Silver Shirt Legion of America, Inc., whose leader is William Dudley Pelley, was at that time operating under the name of Soul Craft Press, with headquarters and printing facilities in Noblesville, Indiana. With regard to Ralph Zimmermann, the indices of this office reflect that as of June, 1942, he was general manager of the Zimmermann Packing Company, a mechanical packing firm at [...] Cincinnati. No further action is being taken in this matter by this office, and the foregoing is for the Bureau's information and for the information of the Los Angeles and Indianapolis Offices.

SAC, Cincinnati. June 22, 1954. Director, FBI (62-83894). Recorded - 3. 342. Truman Bethurum; Flying Discs; Miscellaneous - Information Concerning (Espionage). Reurlet 6/8/54. You are instructed to recontact Thomas Eickhoff, referred to in your referenced letter and advise him this Bureau has no jurisdiction concerning the investigation of matters relating to flying discs and that the United States Air Force has such jurisdiction. You are instructed to advise him this Bureau cannot approve or disapprove of his activities in connection with this matter and that the placing of this Bureau on notice as to his activities will not exonerate him in the event he engages in any fraudulent or criminal activities. You are instructed to furnish the information set forth in your referenced letter to OSI locally and to the Bureau in a memorandum suitable for dissemination to OSI headquarters. NOTE: Thomas Eickhoff, Cincinnati, Ohio, advised the Cincinnati office he is interested in flying discs and has recently met several persons who claimed to have had experiences with flying discs. He stated he intended to assist such persons in arranging for public meeting in Cincinnati, at which matters relating to flying discs will be discussed and that he expects the meeting will result in a "four thousand dollar take." He advised he believed the experiences alleged by the persons referred to above and that those persons would participate in the meeting. He stated he had been advised by the Air Force that it was it's opinion claims made by the persons referred to above concerning flying discs and their experiences with same were fraudulent. He stated he wanted to put all federal agencies on notice in order that they could act to prevent the planned meeting re flying discs if it was deemed necessary by the Government. EHM:egp. Comm - FBI, Jun 22 1954, Mailed 27.

Office Memorandum. United States Government. To: Director, FBI (62-83894). Date: 7/22/54. From: SAC, Cincinnati (65-1994). Subject: Truman Bethurum; Flying Discs; Miscellaneous - Information Concerning (Espionage). Remylet 6/8/54 and Bulet 6/22/54. Attached are five copies of a memorandum containing information set out in my letter of June 8, 1954 with additional information furnished by Thomas Eickhoff on July 2, 1954. On July 2, 1954, although Eickhoff had been so advised at the time of the original interview with him on June 7, 1954, he was again advised in accordance with instructions in reBulet. RCD:SAS. Registered mail. Enclosures (5). Indexed 79.

He said that Manspeaker, whose first name he did not know, is also connected with "Valor" magazine in some way. He was asked as to what interest "Valor" magazine has in Bethurum, and whether Bethurum was sponsored by any other organization. He advised that he did not know the interest of "Valor" magazine in Bethurum, and so far as he knew, Bethurum was acting on his own and had no organizational affiliations or sponsorship. He was asked as to what disposition would be made of receipts from a large meeting and he advised that he did not know what disposition would be made of the money. He said he understood that Bethurum had been on tour for some time and that the meeting scheduled for Cincinnati originally on June 11, 1954 was to be the beginning of a new series of meetings. William Dudley Pelley, Noblesville, Indiana reportedly operates the Soul Craft Press at Noblesville and among other pamphlets, published the weekly journal entitled "Valor", which Mr. Pelley describes as a "journal of the applied spirituality." This publication is said to deal mainly with practical mysticism, the spiritual movement called Soulcraft and the relationship between earth man and the individuals arriving on this planet from flying saucers. Mr. Pelley is said to claim that these individuals arriving in flying saucers are of greater intelligence and learning than the earth people and are here to give the earth people intellectual guidance and spiritual endowment and guidance. On July 2, 1954, Thomas Eickhoff advised that no progress had been made with respect to holding a meeting for Truman Bethurum in Cincinnati, Ohio which would be of national significance. He said that Bethurum had returned to California but that there was a possibility that he would again come to Cincinnati, Ohio in the fall of 1954. At the same time Mr. Eickhoff advised that he had communicated with Donald E. Kehoe, author of the book "Flying Saucers From Outer Space" and had advised him that he had been informed by Lieutenant Colonel John O'Mara, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio that he was a fraud and that information is avail- - 5 -

able in Washington that Kehoe is a fraud. He said that he, Eickhoff, had been requested by Kehoe to furnish him this information in writing and that he, Eickhoff, had obliged Kehoe in this respect. He said he understood that Kehoe was going to Washington with his attorneys to take up Colonel O'Mara's statements with the Air Force. - 6 -