Annals of the Enquiring - 1993 Vol 4 No 2

Magazine Overview

Title: ANNALS OF THE ENQUIRING
Issue: Vol 4 No 2
Date: April/June 1993
Price: £1.50

This issue of "Annals of the Enquiring" presents a diverse collection of articles exploring forteana, UFOs, paranormal phenomena, and historical mysteries. The cover features a striking illustration of a monstrous figure and lists the magazine's thematic focus: Forteana, UFOs, Earth Mysteries, Paranormal, and Bizarrerie.

Editor's Note

The editor, Gerry Lovell, introduces the issue by mentioning a recent visit to Ireland and a trip through Egypt and Israel, hinting at future UFO accounts from the Negev desert. He expresses disappointment with a Sky News UFO special, feeling it failed to address the subject in a sufficiently investigative manner, particularly regarding the Bentwaters incident. Lovell also includes his own photograph, noting its resemblance to him.

Contents

The table of contents lists a variety of articles, including:

• First Word - Editorial
• Mystery Of The Phantom Army
• Psychics Pinpoint Emerald
• 'Fire In The Sky' Movie
• EC Scrutiny Of UFOS
• The Man They Couldn't Hang
• It's A Strange World
• Time And Tide
• Brazilian Nut
• Disert Clay Banishes Rats
• 'Jinxed' Movie
• Ghost Withdraws From Bank
• Saga Of Solid Muldoon
• Mystique Of Ireland's Dolmens
• From The Annals
• Ghostly Horses
• Bloomin' Miracle
• Dogged By Good Luck
• Glowing Man
• Jack: Another Likely Lad
• File-O-Fort
• Check Out
• Turin Shroud Somerset Connection
• A Universal Panacea - Mummy
• Short Fort
• Next Issue

Featured Articles

Mystery Of The Phantom Army

This article by John Macklin details the extraordinary claim of sisters Anna and Maria Martens, who, on an August night in 1953, allegedly witnessed an "action replay" of soldiers retreating from the Battle of Mons, which had occurred 40 years prior. Dr. Jean-Jacques Laporte, a psychical researcher, investigated the case and concluded that the sisters' honesty was beyond dispute, calling it one of the century's most remarkable psychical mysteries. Historical records corroborated the details of the withdrawal. The sisters maintained their story until their deaths, and a veteran of the battle, Pierre Pantages, later recalled seeing two young girls watching the retreating soldiers from a cottage window.

Psychics Pinpoint Emerald

This piece reports on the discovery of the Isabella Emerald, a 16th-century jewel weighing nearly 1,000 carats, off the coast of Florida. Two psychics were instrumental in pinpointing its location in a wreck 12 miles from Cape Canaveral. Victor Benilous, who found the emerald, stated it is worth approximately £2 million. The emerald was originally promised by explorer Cortes to Queen Isabella of Spain but was lost at sea centuries ago.

'Fire In The Sky' Movie Based on 1975 UFO Abduction

This article discusses the controversial UFO abduction of Travis Walton in Arizona in 1975, which has been adapted into a film by Paramount Pictures. Walton, a logger, disappeared for nearly a week after reportedly jumping from a truck to investigate a glowing object. He later claimed to have been abducted by a UFO and held in a low-ceilinged room by small entities and human-like beings. His story, initially met with ridicule, was documented in a book and later inspired the film.

UFOs May Come Under EC Scrutiny

A brief report on a European Community plan to establish a European Observation Centre for Unidentified Flying Objects, proposed by Italian Socialist MEP Tullio Regge. Labour Euro-leader Glyn Ford attempted to have the plan rejected.

The Man They Couldn't Hang

William Mount recounts the true story of John Lee, a frail young man in the late 19th century who was sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of his employer, Miss Whitehead Keyes. Despite protesting his innocence, Lee was found guilty. On the day of his execution, the trapdoor on the scaffold failed to open three times, leading the prison chaplain to declare it God's will that Lee should not be hanged. His sentence was commuted to life imprisonment.

It's A Strange World

This section presents a collection of short, unusual news items:

• A woman in West Bromwich kept her deceased husband's mummified body at home for six months.
• The Amazon jungle town of Envira is being besieged by bloodsucking ants killing animals and attacking children.
• Doctors discovered a tumour in Florence DeCicco, 74, was a bingo token.
• Exploding watermelons have been reported in the US Deep South, possibly due to a bacterial disease.
• A man in China killed his neighbour's baby girl and fed her remains to pigs and dogs after a dispute over medical fees.
• Genetic scientists have created a "pig with a human heart" by altering pig genetics to prevent organ rejection in humans.
• A sky-watcher in South Wales claims to have captured a UFO on film.
• Farmers in Buckinghamshire reported a golden eagle killing a lamb and attacking a pet dog.

Time And Tide

British astronomers claim that the Earth's spin has been slowing over the past 2,700 years, causing days to lengthen by 1.7 milliseconds per 100 years. This slowdown is attributed to tidal friction. The article notes that 60 million years ago, a day would have been a quarter of an hour shorter.

Brazilian Nut Cracked At Last

Archaeologist Franz Joseph Hochleitner has deciphered the Mayan calendar, which used a symbol of a rain god to represent 20 years. The article speculates on the Mayan calendar's relation to the Chinese calendar and sunspot cycles, and notes Roman corruption of the calendar.

Bigfoot Wins Kissing Contest

A contestant named Bigfoot won a non-stop kissing contest, lasting 18 hours and 25 minutes, winning $25,000.

Disert Clay Banishes Irish Rats

Nard Egan writes about a hermitage in Ireland called Disert, where tradition holds that St. Colmcille blessed a well and clay, giving it curative powers to banish rats. The article also describes ancient rituals associated with the site for curing ailments.

'Jinxed' Movie Ends In Death

This article reports on the death of Brandon Lee, son of Bruce Lee, on the set of the movie 'The Crow', where a gun meant to fire blanks fired a projectile. The film's production was marked by numerous inexplicable incidents.

Ghost Makes Withdrawal From Bank

Coutts Bank in London has reportedly enlisted an exorcist after receptionists complained of seeing a headless Elizabethan ghost. The apparition is believed to be the Earl of Essex, who was beheaded in 1601.

Saga of Solid Muldoon

Mae Leonard recounts the story of 'Solid Muldoon', a petrified giant weighing five hundred pounds and standing over seven feet tall, discovered in southern Colorado in 1877. Initially presented as a significant find by William Conant and later promoted by P.T. Barnum as the "missing link", it was eventually exposed as a hoax created by George W Hull.

The Mystique of Ireland's Dolmens

Gearoid O Broin details the over 1,300 megalithic tombs found in Ireland, focusing on portal dolmens. It highlights notable examples across various counties and discusses their construction, potential uses as sacrificial altars, and their association with ancient myths.

From The Annals

This section contains several short historical anecdotes:

• High On The...: An account from 1723 where a hog, after being pierced by a butcher's blade, burst into flames.
• Up The Creek...: In 1826, workmen digging a well in Shaftesbury discovered an instrument resembling a paddle.
• Land Ahoy...: A report from 1826 about the hull of a sunken ship seen in a ditch near Broadmoor.
• Many Hans Make Light Work...: Mr. Goldhammer's 1853 experiment with a "electric sun" apparatus in Berlin.

Ghostly Horses Foretold Death

Mai O'Higgins writes about the death of Charles Bianconi in 1875, during which the sound of galloping horses was heard, interpreted as his beloved animals paying their last respects.

A Bloomin' Miracle

Experts celebrated the blooming of a magnolia tree that developed from a 2,300-year-old seed found in an ancient tomb in Japan. The seed, sown by Professor Hiroshi Utosonomiya, produced a delicate white flower.

Short Fort

A brief report from 1849 about a shower of rain that appeared red as blood near Bonvilstone, Wales.

Dogged By Good Luck

An Israeli couple's ailing dog, given a lethal injection and buried, returned home alive and healthy six days later, having apparently escaped from its burial bag.

Nufon Correction

An editor's note correcting a previous statement about the independence of the publication "Northern UFO News", clarifying that it is wholly independent and not affiliated with BUFORA.

Glowing 'Man' In China Sky

A report from Shanghai about a strange UFO seen for over an hour, described as an orange-coloured, man-shaped object that transformed into a giant mushroom.

Jack: Another Likely Lad

This article discusses the enduring mystery of Jack the Ripper and claims that a recently discovered 64-page manuscript, allegedly written by the Ripper, has been authenticated.

File-O-Fort

A report from Eldoret, Kenya, in 1949, describing a peculiar fall of hail shaped like stars with ice arms.

The Return Of Jack

An account of an exorcism performed at Princess Diana's ancestral home, Althorp House, to drive out the ghost of her grandfather, Jack, who was believed to be a negative force affecting the Earl Spencer's health.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the unexplained, the paranormal, and historical curiosities. There is a clear interest in UFO sightings, alleged supernatural events, historical mysteries, and fringe science. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, presenting various accounts and claims for the reader's consideration, while also acknowledging skepticism and the need for investigation. The inclusion of historical anecdotes and reports from various sources suggests a broad definition of "enquiring" that spans centuries and diverse phenomena.

Title: CHECK OUT
Issue: 20
Volume: 1
Date: January 1993 (estimated from issue number and context)
Publisher: SPI (based in Scotland)
Country: Scotland
Language: English

This issue of CHECK OUT magazine, a bi-monthly publication focusing on 'Strange Phenomena,' offers a diverse range of articles and reviews. The cover prominently features the mystery of the Turin Shroud, exploring its connection to the Knights Templar and the debate over its authenticity.

Featured Articles and Topics

The Turin Shroud: The Somerset Connection

The lead article delves into the enduring mystery of the Turin Shroud, questioning whether it is the burial cloth of Christ or a medieval forgery. It highlights the 1898 discovery of its striking image on a photographic negative and discusses theories linking the shroud to the Knights Templar throughout the 13th century. The article also touches upon a reproduction found at a Templar preceptory in Templecombe, Somerset, which bears a resemblance to the shroud's head and is connected to the severed head of John the Baptist. It mentions the 'Johannite heresy' which denounced Christ as a 'false' prophet and acknowledged John as the true Messiah. The piece notes that forensic and radiocarbon tests, pollen analysis, and image enhancements, some conducted with NASA equipment, have dated the shroud to between 1260 and 1390, suggesting a possible Templar forgery.

A Universal Panacea: Mummy

This section explores the concept of mummies, moving beyond the typical Egyptian association. It details how ancient authors like Herodotus and Diordorus Siculus described the mummification process. The article notes that natural preservation methods like desiccation (Egypt), deep freezing (Siberia), and saturation (peat bogs of Jutland and Britain) also create mummies. Discoveries are mentioned worldwide, including Peru (Lima, 1560), Australia, Melanesia, Japan, China, Palermo (Sicily), the Canary Islands, and a remarkably preserved 'Crusader' in a Dublin church. It recounts the discovery of two mummified men in Texas in 1856, one found with clothing and a gold buckle. Historically, mummies were also considered a universal panacea, with Sir Thomas Browne quoted from 'Urn Burial' (1658) stating, "Mummy is become merchandise, Mizraim cures wounds and Pharoah is sold for Balsams." Crushed mummy was believed to cure almost any ailment.

Magazine Reviews

The issue includes reviews of several specialized publications, providing contact details for subscriptions:

• ENIGMAS: A bi-monthly magazine from Scotland focusing on 'Strange Phenomena,' edited by Malcolm Robinson.
• THE GATE: Covers the paranormal, UFOs, and Bigfoot, featuring articles by American contributors like Stan Gordon of PASU. Edited by Beth Robins.
• ANOMALY: Published by ASSAP, this journal records research into Anomalous Phenomena, with Issue #11 including an account of coincidence. Contact Hugh Pincott for membership/copies.
• THE CROP WATCHER: Edited by Paul Fuller, this publication investigates crop circles, aiming to uncover the 'real story behind the story.'
• THE UFO DEBATE: An A5 magazine described as 'Beyond the final frontier,' exploring alternate views in Ufology. Edited by David Barclay.
• NORTHERN UFO NEWS: Reports on UFO events worldwide, with Issue #159 including a critique of 'The British and Irish Skeptics' by editor Jenny Randles.
• GEM: A large-format magazine covering Earth Mysteries, Leys, Uto's, Feng Shui, and Crop Circles. Contact Gloucestershire Earth Mysteries.
• THE CEREOLOGIST: Professionally produced and edited by John Michell, it serves as a forum for discussing crop circle theories, debating hoaxing versus natural or supernatural forces. Subscription details are provided.

Other Items

• WHAT IS ONCE WAS: A brief historical note on reaping machines, mentioning Pliny the Elder's description from the first century.
• Excalibur Books: An advertisement for a bookshop specializing in Arthurian Legend, UFOs, Folklore, and Mythology, located in Bangor, Co. Down, Northern Ireland.
• Short Fort: A brief news item from the WSM Gazette dated 21 April 1855, reporting a mysterious breaking of a shop window on Regent Street without any sound.
• Brainiac: A puzzle segment with an answer provided from a previous page.
• Next Issue Preview: Teases upcoming topics including 'Vengeance Of The Werewolf,' 'UFO's In The Desert,' 'High Fliers,' and 'Mystery Of The Weeping Madonna.'

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the unexplained, the paranormal, and historical mysteries, with a particular focus on UFO phenomena and the Turin Shroud. The magazine appears to adopt an open-minded stance, encouraging readers to consider various perspectives and draw their own conclusions, as indicated by the 'CHECK OUT' title and the nature of the reviewed publications. The editorial approach seems to be one of presenting information and facilitating discussion on subjects often considered fringe or controversial, without necessarily endorsing any single viewpoint. The inclusion of detailed contact information for numerous specialized publications suggests an aim to connect readers with further resources in these fields.