Were UFOs already flying around in 1897?

In 1897, the country was very much enthused in the then-infant aviation industry. Inventors around the world were attempting to construct flying machines, some of them so outlandish that they were beyond belief. Balloon ascensions drew gigantic crowds wherever they took place, and Sheboygan was no exception. On several occasions in the city, to attract large crowds to picnics, balloon ascensions were held. But, large airships that could fly long distances and maneuver at will were still some 20 years off in the future. In late 1896, strange reports began to appear in newspapers in the western United States of a mysterious airship cruising over cities. The Galveston Daily News carried the first of these stories on Nov. 23, 1896, and it told of a mysterious airship that was seen cruising slowly over the city of Galveston the previous night at about 2 a.m.

The story went on to relate that this cigar shaped object had what appeared to be a large headlight, similar to, but brighter than what would be found on a railroad locomotive. This headlight, according to witnesses, could be swiveled back and forth and directed up and down so that it could illuminate objects on the ground. The newspaper article also related that a similar incident had taken place over numerous cities in California.