The J-TAC

Issue date: 1/31/08 Section: Features

Media Credit: Courtesy: Sarah Cannary Forrest Jackson is a Dallas author and bookstore owner who came to Stephenville to promote his books.

On Jan. 24, most fans of the local UFO sighting could be seen attending Richard Hastings' presentation on government conspiracies and cover-ups in the Ballrooms of the Barry B. Thompson Student Center. A few locals on the other hand spent their time at The Literary Lion Rare Books Store located near the square on Washington St. recording their eyewitness accounts of the event or talking with Dallas author Forrest Jackson. Jackson has co-authored two books on religious UFO cults and mythical beasts and devils.
Many attendees had stories to tell about what they saw on Jan. 8, and were encouraged by store owner Sarah Cannady to document what they saw as part of the Lone Star Library, a private historical achive of Stephenville and Erath County located on the second floor of her establishment. One witness, Rodney Pate, stated that what he witnessed occurred on Jan. 10 and was very different from what everyone else saw.
"I didn't get any photos of it. I was only 30 seconds away from a camera driving as fast as was safely possible. But I had to make a choice, to not get a picture of it or to possibly cause an accident," said Pate.
He plans on writing a book about what he witnessed. He also sketched some pictures of what he saw and they appeared in the Jan. 20 edition of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Cannady and Jackson listened as Pate related the story of his accident, and Jackson later gave a little history on himself.
"I've always had a fascination with bazaar things. My mother believed in UFOs her whole life and raised me to believe also. But lately she has fallen away from that belief," said Jackson who is also the owner of a rare books store in Dallas.
Jackson and Rodney Perkins both authored a book titled; Cosmic Suicide: The Tragedy and Transcendence of Heaven's Gate. The book chronicles the rise and fall of the "UFO cult," called Heaven's Gate, in which 39 of its members seceded in committing the largest mass suicide in U.S. history.
Jackson also assisted The Rhipidon Society in pinning the book; Three Myths of Gods, Devils and Beasts. He explained that this book explores different legends and folk lore that have helped create many different myths.
Both books were on sell during the event and participants were treated to refreshments as well as socializing with like-minded individuals and witnesses. Cannady also displayed a calendar presented by Town & County Bank, and compiled by Dan Young, which documented all the noteworthy events that had occurred in Erath County up to the point of its printing in 1987. One date pointed out by Cannady records a night in 1891 when Dublin residents witnessed a large object in the sky as reported by the Dublin Progress.
The owners of The Literary Lion just celebrated the second anniversary of its stores opening since they purchased it. Cannady is still encouraging witnesses to come in and record their sightings.
Regardless of what the mysterious objects seen in the night sky in early January really were the sightings have now become a part of Erath County history. No doubt people will be telling their stories of Stephenville's UFO sighting for years to come.

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