This happened to people in 1947. So they lived in the country- so what. That does not make them stupid, jumpy or cowards of any kind.
I noticed a lot of people focused on the clothing and noticed "make up" on women in black and white photos- that's how those pictures looked.
I do believe something happened that night- nothing scares people that badly to have them fire so many high-powered weapons at "nothing." Monkeys? Please. Bullets and shotgun pellets don't bounce off animals.
In 1947, crime investigation was still very basic, and evidence collecting for an "unknown" incident like this. The police simply weren't trained to know what they were looking for, what to collect or what to do with it. The technology to test it didn't exist, either.
Think about it- if you were a cop investigating something like this, what would you do if you found out it was real? How about if your bullets bounced off with no effect?
Over and over, these honest, God-fearing people who were sober were terrified out of their wits. This was no prank. They did see something.
Assuming someone from any particular state is stupid is immature and uncivilized.