The Missouri Democrat newspaper was reporting that a trapper, James Lumley, had seen a “bright luminous body” in the skies moving toward the east. Then there was a loud explosion and the smell of sulphur in the air. He found the large object which was divided into compartments and had something like hieroglyphs on its surface. He also discovered glass and “strange stains.”

This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.