Nebraska City, USA Three unexplained objects in apparent — 24 September 1860
formation
After sunset Mr. Joel Draper and ferryman Mr. Beebout saw a bright object low in the West. “While gazing with amazement at that, which in size, color, brightness and shape resembled one-fourth of the sun taken from its edge, we soon discovered another spot further to the right and a little higher, which was about one-third the size of the first; then another directly above the first, one-third the size of the second. All of these we soon discovered to be moving towards the south, or to the left of their former position, with great rapidity (…) as they moved, they all retained the same relation to each other as when they first appeared.” The account goes on: “This took place after sunset, but, by means of the brightness of these bodies, it was as light as some ten or fifteen minutes before sunset. There were no clouds or vapors in the sky in that direction. They could not have been sun dogs or mock suns, for (such phenomena) remain, as long as they continue, in the same relative position to the sun.”
Source: Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 12 October 1860. 467. Case: W421