This article was published in the daily newspaper The Champaign Daily Gazette, Champaign, Illinois, Saturday, April 17, 1897.
Warning: the airship stories must not be taken at face value as "UFO sightings." Evaluation of such stories is under way here.
The Urbana Police Force Looks out for The Terrible Airship
Chief of Police Hawley of Urbana, it is said, is seldom seen on the streets now, and one of his friends gives as the reason that he is afraid of the air-ship. "Why," said the officer, "suppose I should be struck on the head by a stray anchor, or suppose the rudder should drop and maim me, the city would be without police protection. In the conscience performance of my duty, I do not see how I can take such chances.
