49 - The Phantoms of '52

The highways of the Midwestern United States were home to two unidentified individuals known as “phantoms” in 1952. Well, one individual and one that very well may have been mass hysteria. These are the stories of the 40 Phantom that haunted Ohio's roadways, terrified truck drivers, and resembled something from a Misfits song or Rob Zombie video; and the Blue Phantom, who took potshots at Illinois motorists (maybe), are featured.

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Opening music from https://filmmusic.io. "Dark Child" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com). License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Closing music by Soma.

SOURCES – 40 Phantom

Zanesville Times-Recorder, March 29, 1952.

“Columbus man is victim; stolen auto recovered.”  Newark Advocate, March 4, 1952.

“Frightened drivers glimpse Route 40 phantom in area.”  Salem News, March 27, 1952.

“Green phantom blamed in wreck; gagster fined.”  East Liverpool Evening Review, March 29, 1952.

“Green phantom fails to show after calls.”  Salem News, March 31, 1952.

“Highway ghost phones warning of tonight's run.”  East Liverpool Evening Review, March 28, 1952.

“Highway phantom calls his shot.”  Zanesville Times-Recorder, March 29, 1952.

“His name is Legion.”  Marion Star, March 19, 1952.

“Jury visits highway crime scene,”  Newark Advocate, April 29, 1952.

“Lausche refuses to intervene in Louis Angel case.”  Newark Advocate, January 23, 1953.

“Legion enter chase for phantom gunman.”  Raleigh Register (Beckley, WV), February 19, 1952.

“Marshall challenges phantom.”  Zanesville Times-Recorder, March 20, 1952.

“Mystery gunman clue uncovered,”  Charleston (WV) Daily Mail, February 14, 1952.

“Pawnbroker says he lent Angel $20 on murder gun.”  Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, May 1, 1952.

“Phantom gunman sought by police.” Charleston (WV) Daily Mail, February 1, 1952.

“Phantom dares Ohio sheriff.” Anderson (IN) Herald, March 16, 1952.

“Phantom does as boasted, haunts Rt. 7.” Salem News, March 29, 1952.

“Phantom driver scares truckers on Ohio highway.” New Philadelphia Daily Times, March 7, 1952.

“Phantom seen again.” Mansfield News-Journal, March 20, 1952.

“Phantom skeleton may be dancing now on Route 7.” East Liverpool Evening Review, March 13, 1952.

“Route 40 phantom chases 4 drivers near West Point.” East Liverpool Evening Review, March 27, 1952.

“Route 40 phantom frightens auto, truck drivers in Ohio.” Cumberland (MD) Evening Times, March 7, 1952.

“Rt. 40 phantom utilizes green smoke screen.” Salem News, March 20, 1952.

“Takes latest scientific gadgets for successful ghost these days.” Zanesville Times-Recorder, March 15, 1952.

“Terror on a highway.” Kansas City (MO) Times, March 7, 1952.

“Who's scared? Er, how much for bullet-proof windows?” Charleston (WV) Daily Mail, February 15, 1952.

SOURCES – Blue Phantom

“Blue phantom fires at three motorists Sunday, police hear.” Dixon Evening Telegraph, June 9, 1952.

“Blue phantom gunman's raiding continues in Illinois.” Tucson (AZ) Daily Citizen, June 7, 1952.

“Blue phantom gunman sought for shooting at motorists.” Denton (TX) Record-Chronicle, June 9, 1952.

“Blue phantom on prowl in Fairview – with water gun.” Decatur Daily Review, June 13, 1952.

“Blue phantom reports spread to Indiana.” Mattoon Journal-Gazette, June 10, 1952.

“Blue phantom sniper fires on motorists from fast car.” Mount Vernon Register-News, May 31, 1952.

“Boy, 16, adds to confusion in mystery shooting.” St. Louis (MO) Globe-Democrat, June 1, 1952.

“Bullet near body hampers inquiry.” Joplin (MO) Globe, June 1, 1952.

“Canton man released.” Edwardsville Intelligencer, June 12, 1952.

“Car which backfires may be phantom.” Bloomington Pantagraph, June 15, 1952.

“Drive to grab blue phantom intensified.” Mattoon Journal Gazette, June 9, 1952.

“Gunman sought near Decatur.” Decatur Herald, June 17, 1952.

“He sees the blue phantom.” Dixon Evening Telegraph, June 6, 1952.

“Holbrook tells of gunman on Route 128.” Decatur Daily Review, June 7, 1952.

“Monticello lion, move over.” Decatur Daily Review, June 11, 1952.

“Officers' car hit by gunfire from phantom.” Decatur Herald, June 16, 1952.

“One blue phantom scare was youth with rubber gun.” Mount Vernon Register-News, June 12, 1952.

“Phantom gunman continues Midwest sniping attacks.” Medford (OR) Mail Tribune, June 8, 1952.

“Phantom gunman, or the weather?” Decatur Herald, June 12, 1952.

“Phantom reported, say 3 cars shot at on highway.” Jacksonville Daily Journal, June 15, 1952.

“Phantom shooting here this noon.” Decatur Daily Review, June 2, 1952.

“Phantom sniper uses blanks now.” Terre Haute (IN) Tribune, June 14, 1952.

“Phantom snipes at 5 more drivers.” Carroll (IA) Daily Times-Herald, June 7, 1952.

“Phantom strikes,” Decatur Herald, June 17, 1952.

“Police on alert but doubt stories of blue phantom.” Jacksonville Daily Journal, June 11, 1952.

“Police take to air in hunt for blue phantom.” Mount Vernon Register-News, June 7, 1952.

“Raack shooting suspect fires on third motorist.” St. Louis (MO) Globe-Democrat, June 2, 1952.

“State police halt cars to hunt phantom.” Columbia City (IN) Commercial-Mail, June 3, 1952.

“Wabash subway shot renews phantom chase.” Decatur Herald, June 20, 1952.

Bartholomew, Robert and Hilary Evans. Outbreak! The Encyclopedia of Extraordinary Social Behavior. San Antonio: Anomalist Books, 2009.

https://time.com/3880033/behind-the-picture-love-atop-a-flagpole-1946/

http://www.genealogypitstop.com/chestermayor.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_66_in_Illinois