Have you seen UFO’s lately?

1923: W. R. Weems, when in from Anderson Point the other day, told of the biggest rattlesnake slaughter that has ever taken place in this section. “About two weeks ago Bryant Casner discovered a big mess of the rattlers rattling away in a sort of cave, or break, in the rocks, which runs along for several miles in that country. He got down off his horse and killed 10 of them at one setting. A short time afterward he went back to the same locality and killed nine of the reptiles. A week or so later while the boys were on a roundup, he told the gang where about all the rattlers in this section of the country were holding out and the roundup outfit concluded to take the rest of the day off and clean up on the rattlesnake colony. It was a bad day for the snake family.

City Engineer J.B. Wright and City Water Superintendent John Marshall reported to city council Saturday night that during the several days’ investigation they had been making at Schulz Canyon, they became more than ever convinced that it will be feasible to dam the canyon to impound water for city use. They are still investigating. Mr. Marshall is digging numerous test holes, and so far has invariably found hardpan a short distance down.

1948: Grand Canyon Rotary Club held its regular meeting at El Tovar Hotel on Friday, Oct. 22, Vice President Walter Rouzer presiding. Program Chairman Jack Verkamp spoke on the origins of present day concessions within the Grand Canyon National Park, giving a brief historical sketch of the transportation development and how this influenced tourist travel, eventually creating demand for curios and souvenirs. Mr. Verkamp gave an interesting account of the old-time pioneers in concession work — which included his father, the late John G. Verkamp, and the Kolb brothers. These men, in the early days before the establishment of Grand Canyon National Park, envisioned the eventual influx of many thousands of visitors; and through their foresight and willingness to take investment risks, in addition to the long hours of labor and personal sacrifices, built for themselves and their followers an enviable reputation that will long be remembered by their fellow men.

A missing Utah airman was found today at a ranch house about 4 miles from where he crash-landed his light aircraft yesterday. The plane ran out of gas in the almost uninhabited “Arizona Strip” country north of the Colorado River. Utah State Aeronautics Director Joe Bergin said the flier was unhurt. Grant W. Walker, 20, left Cedar City yesterday flying alone in a light trainer. He and four companions, flying in two other light planes, intended to go to Kanab, Utah, for an airport dedication. Royce Knight, Cedar City flier, reported seeing Walker’s plane near Mount Trumbull, Arizona. The plane appeared to be only slightly damaged.

The Arizona Times today announced the retirement of Columbus Giragi as its editor. Since the Phoenix afternoon daily newspaper was established about 18 months ago, Giragi has served for various periods as columnist, publisher and editor. A few years ago Giragi sold his weekly newspapers in Flagstaff, Winslow and Holbrook, and retired.

1973: In September of1967, the retired Texas school teacher — a down-to-earth man — took photos of a great bluff in Oak Creek. When the pictures were developed, N.C. McEntarfer, of Flagstaff and Sedona, pointed out there was something the man probably had not noticed — a streak rising from ground to sky. It turned out the teacher had seen something just prior to taking the picture, had thought he was “seeing things,” and had forgotten the incident. McEntarfer was the right man to hear his story. The Flagstaff photographer and business house manager is area representative of a group known as Aerial Phenomenon Research Organization (APRO). Today, the teacher’s picture is accepted as a well-documented sighting of an unidentified flying or aerial object. APRO, founded and operated by former Kitt Peak astronomer Jim Lorenzen and his wife, Coral, is worldwide and makes careful documentation of UFO or UAO sightings in dispassionate scientific fashion. Since Jan. 1, McEntarfer says he has experienced five sightings, always in the Sedona area. He also has a number of photographic sightings, unexplained objects appearing in pictures he’s taken of the sky. McEntarfer says it takes three things to be a successful UFO observer. The first is an open mind. The second is a cool head, so the observer can note as much pertinent data as possible about the sighting. The third, he says, is a good pair of binoculars.

1998: Hopis say that this year has been a good year for their corn crops although there have been some farmers who did not have good crops. Most of the harvest is brought in during mid-October. By now, most Hopis have completed their harvest. Corn is used in several Hopi ceremonies and also used in many of their foods including blue corn pancakes. They are particularly known for their sweet corn. One of the largest problems for Hopi farmers is the ravens. Some of the farmers have taken to using propane cannons that make a popping sound and scare them off temporarily. Some use fake owls, but those are said to work only if they have a rotating device to make them move. Leigh Jenkins, director of the Hopi Tribe’s Cultural Preservation Office, said he had an excellent crop this year, although he had heard a lot of complaints about damage caused by ravens. “I don’t believe there has been much of a problem this year, but we could use more rain,” he said.

Let’s get this straight from the get go, we can root for underdogs with the best of them. In spite of those sympathies we have to admit it’s only fitting that the winningest team in all of professional sports — the New York Yankees with 24 titles in all — bagged the World Series in 1998. It’s a season that may go down as the greatest ever in the history of baseball.