(August 21, 1898 – May 21, 1969)
One of the classic 1950s contactees, who claimed to have spoken with humanoid space aliens and entered or ridden on their flying saucers.
He seemed directly inspired by his immediate forerunner, George Adamski.
The business card he gave Long John Nebel described himself in the following way:
Construction Engineer; Analytical Research; Author of Books on Extraterrestrial Beings and Travel; Reader, Analyst and Appraiser of Unseen Human Vibrations — Appraisal by Special Appointment Only
(Nebel, 35)
Bethurum was first contacted on Sunday July 7, 1952. While driving a truck across the desert near Mormon Mesa in Arizona, Bethurum stopped to take a nap. When he woke, his truck was surrounded by little people. A large silver disk-shaped craft was hovering nearby. In subsequent months he was visited several times (both physically and astrally) by the little people and a space woman named Clarion. At their request, he purchased property to establish a Sanctuary of Thought. (Nebel, 36-37)
With the encouragement of George Adamski and the ghostwriting of Mary K. Tennison, Bethurum published the book Aboard a Flying Saucer!
References
- http://www.uforia-research.com/beth01.htm
- http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Shadowlands/6583/et051.html
- http://www.magonia.demon.co.uk/arc/90/revis02.html