Excerpts From
Truman
Bethurum's Personal Scrapbook
..As made available to the public by Arcturus Book
Service in 1982..
The Honesty Of Truman Bethurum:
A Preliminary Note by Daniel Transit -
The excerpts that I am reproducing here are, in the main,
U.S. newspaper reports from the period September 1953 to April 1954 that relate
specifically to Truman Bethurum and the remarkable claims he made concerning
contacts with Space People. Having just re-read 'Aboard A Flying Saucer,' it
is my considered opinion that - although there are aspects to his account/s
that have proven to be effective in putting off those who are easily put off
by features that they find 'ridiculous'/'absurd'/'kooky' (etc). - Truman Bethurum
was basically an honest man who reported what had happened to him in a fair
and reasonably accurate manner.
From this time on, let's resolve to question the commonly received opinion,
which is based on little more than prejudice, and restore honour to his name!
Redondo Beach Daily Breeze, September 25th, 1953:
EYE-WITNESS:
Redondoan Tells of Visiting Space Ship
By JOHN MOON
There's a man in Redondo Beach who says he has been aboard a
flying saucer 11 times. What's more, he plans to take a flight in it to a distant
planet next time he sees the lady captain and makes arrangements.
That trip, when arranged, will take Truman Bethurum, 55, of 519 N. Gertruda
Ave., Redondo Beach, to the planet Clarion.
Bethurum has been promised a space flight to the far distant planet by the captain
of a flying saucer, Aura Rahnes, with whom he became acquainted last year.
Mrs.Rahnes, who said she had two grandchildren back on the planet
Clarion, told Bethurum the trip through space would take "about two nights,"
in other words, about 48 hours.
Bethurum says he struck up the acquaintance with the lady captain of the flying
saucer in June (*written over 'July') 1952, while he was working on a road-building
job near Mormon Mesa. Mormon Mesa is located on Highway 91 in Nevada about 70
miles from Las Vegas.
But for full details of Bethurum's experience on the flying saucer we'll start
from the beginning.
Bethurum's Own Story
Here, then, is Bethrurum's story as told to a Daily Breeze reporter.
Before he began the story, however, Bethurum assured the reporter he was "not
a drinking man" and that he had "never been in a straight jacket or
confined in any institution."
In June (*) of 1952 Bethurum began work for E.E. "Whitey" Edwards,
an old friend, who was boss of a road job being done by the Wells Cargo Construction
Co. near Glendale Junction, Nev.
Work was pretty well caught up, recalled Bethurum, and he was transferred to
a position as night mechanic on the water trucks.
ELEVEN VISITS TO A FLYING SAUCER - Are claimed by Truman Bethurum, (above) 519
N.Gertruda Ave., Redondo Beach. Bethurum, 55, who is pictured with his wife,
Mary, told a Daily Breeze reporter of 11 visits aboard a flying saucer he contacted
in June of 1952 in the Nevada desert. Since then he has been bombarded with
all types of scientific fiction and literature on the outer spaces. (Daily Breeze
photo)
One night, either on Saturday or Sunday of July 26 or 27, Bethurum
had finished his work and decided to visit a nearby hilltop because he heard
the ocean once covered it and left deposits of sea shells.
It was about 3:30 a.m. when he parked his truck and used a flashlight to hunt
for sea shells. He had no success during an hour or so of searching, so he returned
to the truck and slept awhile.
Suddenly he was awakened by a "mumbling around the truck."
The mumbling was unintelligible.
Bethurum looked out the window and saw "eight to 10 small men, all about
4 feet 8 inches to 5 feet high." They were not dwarfs but fully developed
men, said Bethurum.
'You Name It'
The strange men made no made no effort to molest him. Bethurum
said he was afraid to attempt a getaway. He was still in the truck cab.
One man spoke to him in a foreign tongue. Bethurum shook his head, indicating
he could not understand.
Then the small man said:
"You name it."
It was perfect English, recalled Bethurum, who answered:
"My God, you can speak English, too?"
"We have no trouble with any language," replied the man.
Bethurum then climbed out of the truck and stopped, awestricken.
He saw a flying saucer parked about 75 yards away from his truck. It looked
like burnished stainless steel.
Bethurum said his heart was thumping so hard "I thought I was going to
die."
However, he shook hands with all the "friendly" men
and asked if their captain was around. The spokesman for the group volunteered
to escort Bethurum to the captain, and led him toward the parked space ship.
Meanwhile, Bethurum looked around and saw the short men were "Latin types,"
that is, with complexions "something like Italians." All were neatly
dressed in uniforms similar to those "worn by Greyhound bus drivers."
All had coal black hair and dark eyes. They had beautiful skin - skin which
contained no wrinkles or blemishes.
The Space Ship
The spokesman for the group took hold of Bethurum's right elbow. While holding the arm gently, said Bethurum, the man seemed to "have me in his power completely. He gave the impression of great strength."
Soon the group arrived at the space ship. Bethurum described it as being made of some type of metal. He learned that it measured 300 feet in diameter and was "six yards deep in the center." A 3-foot metal rim with beveled edges surrounded the saucer-like ship. The rim, said Bethurum, was about 2 feet thick. The ship had "no rudder or stacks."
DRAWING OF SPACE SHIP - Shows dimensions of flying saucer from the planet Clarion, reportedly seen by Bethurum last year. He said the "scow" appeared to be made of bunished stainless steel. It measured 300 feet in diameter and was 18 feet thick at the center. It contained a crew of 32 men and a woman captain. The rough drawing shows exaggerated thickness. (Daily Breeze photo)
They entered the ship through a large wide door that Bethurum
estimated was 41/2 feet wide and
about 10 to 12 feet long. It was located atop the ship close to the metal rim
around the edge.
Inside, he met the woman captain, Aura Rahnes. He described her as having a
"slender" Latin-type face. She wore a "radiant red skirt, black
velvet short-sleeved blouse and a black beret with red trim."
He went into her lounge and talked.
The woman captain said she was from the planet Clarion, which could not be seen
from earth even with "progressive magnification," which Bethurum interpreted
as meaning by telescope.
She also said the planet was not known by people on earth by another name -
such as Mars. About Mars: She said it was peopled and contained atmosphere,
industry and homes. She said the people on Mars did not have to have any special
breathing apparatus.
At that time Bethurum became aware that the Clarionites from the flying saucer did not need breathing apparatus.
Calls Them 'Scows'
The woman captain, said Bethurum, explained it was only re-
(Continued on Page 2, Column 3)
[Page 2 continuation missing from scrapbook]
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Redondo Beach Daily Breeze, unknown date:
FLYING SAUCER STORY REPRINT TODAY PAGE 13
Hundreds of telephone calls and letters have been received by
the Daily Breeze from persons all over Southern California who want a copy of
the flying saucer story that was published Sept.25.
Our harried circulation department can't fulfill the orders, having run out
of extra copies almost immediately after the story appeared.
Therefore, the story - minus the pictures - will appear once more. It will be
on page 13 of The Breeze.
The story concerns an interview by a Breeze reporter of Truman Bethurum, 519
N.Gertruda Ave., Redondo beach, who claims to have been aboard a flying saucer
11 times.
So hang onto your paper today. Save it for a friend. Send your clipping to the
person who wants a copy. Keep them off our necks, please.
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Los Angeles Herald & Express,
Cobina Wright Society as I Find It, February 18th, 1954 (sp):
The name, Turman Betherum, will either go down in history as famous or infamous after he appears on Platter Panel next Sunday riding the TV waves. Mr.Betherum claims he has ridden a rocket ship to Clarion - some nebulous planet in the nebulae - and also says he has talked 11 times with Clarions who this very minute are walking our highways and biways. Frank Danzig and Bart Ross, the TV producers whom I have always considered out of this world anyway, are giving Mr.Betherum the chance to prove himself on their show, Platter Panel, because they are considering beaming the program to Clarion.
(sp) spellings as printed in piece
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U.S. newspaper, February 19th, 1954:
Bethurum Ready To Give Account Of Saucer Visit
Truman Bethurum's territory - the South Bay area - has been
invaded twice recently by "experts" who talked on flying saucers.
Now Bethurum - a resident of Redondo Beach who claims to have been aboard a
flying saucer 11 times - has been urged to mount the rostrum.
He will do that on the evening of Friday, Feb.19, at the Neptunian Clubhouse,
920 Highland Ave., in Manhattan Beach. The hour-long talk will begin at 8 p.m.
Only 'Interested Persons'
And for the first time, Bethurum will not speak for free. A
$1 donation will be asked from each person at the door. That, it was explained,
will keep out the hecklers, allowing only "vitally interested" persons
to enter.
Local residents have urged Bethurum to speak on his experiences, especially
since Orfeo Angelucci and Robert Coe Gardner gave their versions of flying saucers
to the South Bay residents.
Bethurum, 519 N.Gertruda Ave., Redondo, plans to show a half
dozen slides picturing the terrain near Glendale, Nev., where he says he made
his 11 contacts with a flying saucer in 1952.
During the past two years Bethurum has been writing a book on his experiences
and has spent thousands of dollars trying to make a 12th contact, mainly he
says, because of the extreme interest shown by his friends and their quest for
details on the life of residents on the planet, Clarion.
Clarion, according to Bethurum, is the planet whence came the saucer he visited.
Question Period, Too
The talk, according to Bethrurum, will be followed by a question
and answer period. The talk, he says, will deal with the "how, when and
where" of the 11 contacts with the flying saucer, and the discussion period
following will be devoted to answering specific questions.
His wife, Mrs.Bethurum, has explained that her husband is "no skilled public
speaker, just an ordinary citizen who has been called upon to tell his story."
Bethurum, however, has picked up a bit of experience at the
speaker's table. he talked Tuesday night before members of the 20-30 Club in
Hermosa Beach.
Now, he said, he has been engaged to speak at several churches and civic groups.
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Left: Early picture of Truman Bethurum.
Right: With his wife, Mary, at Giant Rock convention, 1954.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Redondo Beach Daily Breeze, April 1st, 1954:
Bethurum's Book Now Off Presses;
Saucers Open Up Whole New Career
Truman Bethrurum of Redondo Beach, who has gained national fame through a published story in the Daily Breeze which related his story of visiting a flying saucer 11 times, now is so busy with speaking engagements he has been forced to abandon a lifetime career as a construction worker.
Bethurum's book, telling of his adventures, is now off the presses
and is being sold at the branches of J.W.Robinson & Co. stores.
Or, those wishing a copy may get in touch with the DeVorss Publishing Co., 516
W.Ninth St., Los Angeles 15, and a book will be mailed out - total price $3.15.
Meanwhile, Bethurum is continuing to be in demand by the public.
Twice now he has appeared on the Betty White TV show on Channel 4 to receive
a coast-to-coast showing.
He will speak Friday night at the Angeles Temple in Los Angeles
between 7:30 and 8 o'clock during the regular evening services.
On Sunday, April 18 at 3:30 p.m., he is slated for an interview on the Cavalcade
of Books program on TV Channel 2. At that time his book will be discussed.
Bethurum, the South Bay's only saucer sighting enthusiast of
renown, will be called to a convention of flying saucer followers at Giant Rock
in the 29 Palms area on Saturday and Sunday, April 3 and 4. He explains that
a crowd of 5000 is anticipated in the desert community, and those attending
have been warned to take along their own water and food.
Many will "fly in" to the area and make use of the landing strip near
the convention site, said Bethrurum.
Bethurum said he is continuing to receive a flood of telephone
calls and visits.
After the appearance he put in on the platter Panel TV Show, said Bethurum,
an Air Force official visited his home. The official, according to Bethurum,
explained he had received more than 200 telephone calls from pilots saying they
had seen exactly the same type flying saucers as described by Bethurum.
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Santa Monica Evening Outlook, April 23rd, 1954,
The Cub Reporter By Gordon Macker:
Who, sire, shall believe such a tale?
-SHAKESPEARE.
Do you believe in flying saucers, Josephine? (I am not referring to those platters you let fly at poor Herm when he rolls in at two in the morning.)
There is a startling new book on the market on the subject.
It is titled "Aboard a Flying Saucer," and it was written by a Redondo
Beach construction worker named Truman Bethurum.
It is undoubtedly the most controversial book of the year.
For brother Bethrurum claims he has made 11 visits on a saucer!
Some readers believe his story. Others claim he's a crackpot.
You'll get a chance to judge for yourself, if you're interested, because Bethurum
will be at Guttormsen's Book Shop at 2 p.m., tomorrow to autograph his book.
Too Much Sun
I just finished it.
Personally, I am one of the nonbelievers.
I do not claim the author is a fraud, as some readers have.
I just think he was out in the Nevada sun too long.
It was on Mormon Mesa in Nevada where Bethurum supposedly boarded the "Admiral Scow" from "Clarion" and talked to the crew of "small-sized" men and their glamorous female captain, "Aura Rhanes."
If it hadn't been for the feminine captain of the scow, I perhaps
would have "bought" the story.
For the author refers to phenomena generally unknown except in highly specialized
scientific fields.
He gives a logical explanation of the source of energy to power the craft.
He describes the huge saucer in great detail as to size, shape, kind of metal used and construction in general.
And he assures us at the conclusion of the book that Capt.Aura Rhanes has promised that she will some day soon take him on a visit through space to her planet.
As I say, I do not accept Mister Bethurum's story.
Especially because he had a tomato as a captain of the scow. That sounds too
much like a B-picture in 3-D.
But, as for recommended reading material, I can truthfully say: "Aboard a Flying Saucer" is out of this world!
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Santa Barbara News-Press, April 25th, 1954,
Radio and TV:
TRUMAN BETHURUM, author of "Aboard a Flying Saucer" photographed during his interview with Jane West which will be broadcast over KTMS, the News-press station, at 11:05 a.m. Tuesday.
Here We Go Again! Saucers to Land
On Jane West Program Heard Tuesday
At 11:05 a.m. next Tuesday morning, the KTMS staff will be alerted for what may bring on a "Here We Go Again!". The reason? Another Flying Saucer broadcast, and on Jane West's Journal.
A few months ago George Adamski, co-author of "Flying Saucers Have Landed" was interviewed by Jane West. the program was re-broadcast after a barrage of telephone calls to the station. The interest in Flying Saucers (by both believers and unbelievers!) was demonstrated conclusively.
Tuesday morning's broadcast will present Truman Bethurum, author of the newest book, "Aboard a Flying Saucer." Bethurum, a former resident of Santa Barbara, claims to have made 11 visits inside a scow (outer-spacese for "flying saucer") from the planet Clarion.
During the taping of the show, Bethrurum was questioned by Jane West and by a representative of the speech department at Santa Barbara College where a Flying Saucer documentary is now in preparation. Miss West read questions handed to her by a studio audience of neutral listeners, and Bethurum answered them.
The half hour broadcast is presented by KTMS, through Jane West, as "referee" in the absorbing question of the reality of Flying Saucers.
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Redondo Beach Daily Breeze, April 26th, 1954:
Bethurums Away On New York Trip
Truman Bethurum of Redondo Beach, who gained fame through recounting
his 11 visits to a space ship in the Nevada desert, left with his wife today
for a 14-day visit to New York City.
He indicated he would return to Redondo on May 10.
Bethurum said the trip would be a "combination of business
and pleasure in connection with my book."
The book, which describes his 11 visits to a flying saucer, now has been made
available in all book stores throughout the United States, said Bethurum.
Rhoden Bookstore of Redondo is carrying it, he said.
Sales were reported as "wonderful" by Bethurum, who
said it is difficult to keep the stores supplied.
Bethurum has been kept hopping from one bookstore to another, autographing the
books as they are sold.
The Redondoan also has been kept busy on speaking engagements..........
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