While it is unlikely E.T. was attempting to phone home — or anyone else for that matter — flashing lights emanating from Sentinel Peak had a few observers on edge.
One must remember that the nation was at war at the time, and while the messier facts didn't cross the ocean, uneasiness did.
From the Arizona Daily Star, June 22, 1916:
Mysterious Signals From Sentinel Peak Cause Uneasiness
Officers Make Futile Effort to Decipher Flashes From Mountain Top
Mysterious signal lights from Sentinel peak, flashed for more than an hour yesterday evening up to about 11:45 o’clock, resulted in an investigation by officers of the Tucson Safety committee, and also by Sheriff Forbes and deputies.
The lights appeared to be from a large electric flashlight or searchlight, and were flashed in “long” and “short” signals. they were first noticed by J. Monahan, a watcher stationed at the water plant, who communicated with local officers. At the same time D. L. Krebs, undertaker at the Parker Undertaking company, noticed them.
Chairman Parker of the Safety committee, and Chief Parker were notified and Mr. Parker order a detail of members of the Home Guards, including Emmanuel Drachman and Oney Anderson, in a machine, to investigate.
They went near the mountain and also saw the lights at close range, but did not attempt to climb the peak.
About 11:45 the signals ceased. Up to that time they had continued at regular intervals of perhaps 15 minutes. Twelve “long” and one “short” was a signal which was repeated a number of times. The light was a powerful one and could be seen a long distance.
The theory was that it was someone practicing signaling who had not notified the members of the committee, or else someone signaling to an observer at another peak miles away toward Mexico.
The matter was investigated later by Sheriff Forbes. A thorough search will be made for the person signaling today and an explanation demanded.
Motorcycle guards stationed on all of the roads leading into the city made no report on the matter up to an early hour this morning.
