Joe Simonton
From Kook Science
| Joe Simonton | |
|---|---|
| Alias(es) | "Pancake Joe" |
| Born | 5 February 1901 Potomac, Vermillion Co., Illinois |
| Died | 24 August 1972 (71) Eagle River, Vilas Co., Wisconsin |
Joseph "Joe" C. Simonton (February 5, 1901 - August 24, 1972) was an American plumber and chicken farmer who reported that a gleaming silver, oblong flying craft landed in a field near his farm in rural Vilas County, Wisconsin near Eagle River on 18 April 1961, and that he observed inside, through an open hatch, three humanoids of short stature, smooth-shaven with dark complexions, described by Simonton as Italian in appearance, each in black two-piece suits, including turtleneck sweaters, and wearing fitted helmets. According to Simonton's report, one of the three pilots requested water in a silver jug, which Simonton dutifully provided, and in exchange Simonton was offered three small pancakes, which he accepted, after which the hatch closed and the craft flew away. One of the "outer space pancakes" was analysed by the Food and Drug Laboratory of the United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW) and found to be made of ingredients of "terrestrial origin", including hydrogenated fat (margarine), starch, buckwheat, wheat bran, and soy; for his part, Simonton related that one of the three he tried tasted like cardboard.
Press Coverage
- "Flying Saucer Lands in Vilas, Man Claims", Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI): 1, 2, 23 Apr. 1961, https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/400514403/
- "State Man Trades With Saucer Crew", Oshkosh Northwestern (Oshkosh, WI): 21, 24 Apr. 1961, https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/248233495/
- "Official Decision on Space Pancake Is Expected Soon", Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI): 2, 27 Apr. 1961, https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/400514542/
- "Should Have Kept Quiet, Says Plumber", Oshkosh Northwestern (Oshkosh, WI): 2, 3 May 1961, https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/248062744/
Selected Bibliography
- Simonton, Joseph (1961), The Story of the Flying Saucer As It Was Seen by Joe Simonton