This article was published in the daily newspaper New York Herald Tribune, Paris edition, on October 6, 1954.
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Out of This World
By Robert N. Sturdevant
A cardboard-box salesman, Pierre Allo[?], told Paris reporters that he spotted a huge silver saucer in the sky round 4:30 p.m. yesterday as his taxi stopped for a red light near the Porte Dorée, at the eastern outskirts of the city.
Two other persons, Gilbert Bacon and Paul Julien, reported seeing the same thing but thought it looked more like a flying wing. All witnesses spoke of a screeching sound and a smoky tail which followed the object.
These were the last reports of out-of-this-world manifestations which have been pouring in from all parts of France for the last two weeks. A Deputy in the National Assembly has asked the Air ministry what it is doing to explain the so-called phenomena.
From Lille, it was reported that a retired miner, known as a local wag, had fabricated some hot-air balloons three yards in diameter which went aloft with the aid of gasoline-saturated straw attached to the bottom.
When the balloons went up and got caught in the wind they gave off a yellowish flare, to the consternation of people who saw them in the middle of the night. Unfortunately for the jokster, one almost set a haystack on fire on landing, and the miner was arrested. He is charged with what French law calls "dangerous amusement."
A road-mender in middle France also was caught for playing a joke.
He had reported seeing a flying cigar alight in a field near his work, and claimed that when he approached the object he was paralyzed by a strange light. Afterward he pointed out three holes in the ground which he said were made by the object.
Gendarmes picked him up a couple of days later and perceived that the holes had been made by the road-mender's own hands. He was held for further disciplinary action.
