Anomaly 06 1971 Febr

Magazine Overview

Title: ANOMALY
Issue: No. 6 (Supplement to Issue No. 6)
Date: February 1971
Publisher: Specialized Research
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of ANOMALY, a journal of forteana, presents a collection of intriguing and often unexplained events, ranging from technological anomalies to paranormal occurrences and ancient prophecies.

Odd Noises Mute Video Tape Facility

An article by Richard J. Wall, Jr. details a peculiar situation at Waddell & Reed, Inc., a large industrial television tape studio. Since July 1, mysterious noises have been cropping up in the audio parts of recent productions, causing production to halt. Mrs. Kevin Eisenbrandt, the video manager, reported over 30 different noises detected, ranging from crackles and pops to what sounded like music from a local radio station. Despite thorough checks of studio equipment, consultations with Sony officials, and visits from power and telephone company experts, the cause remains elusive. The problem also affected Commerce Bank's tape operations on the same day, suggesting a wider issue. Experts theorized that the equipment had become overly sensitive to external factors, but the exact source was unknown.

Aeromagnetic Maps and UFOs

The issue addresses a controversy surrounding 'aeromagnetic maps.' John Henderson of the Geological Survey Office in Denver reportedly dismissed them as a 'figment of imagination.' However, H.L. James, Chief Geologist of the Geological Survey, clarified that these maps are not imaginary but that the Survey's coverage is less than 20 percent of the country. Readers are advised to inquire directly and to avoid mentioning UFOs in correspondence with official agencies.

Electrical 'Spook' in Mill

A widely published AP dispatch from November 5, 1970, reports on Hans Thustrup Nielsen, a sawmill owner in Noebbet, Denmark, who is closing his business due to mysterious electrical forces. These forces have caused thousands of blown fuses and bulbs, and damaged motors, costing him $13,000. The phenomena occur even when electricity to the mill is cut off. Experts from two power companies, a university professor, and motor manufacturers have been baffled. One theory suggests the mill installations might form an antenna picking up high-frequency radio, television, and radar waves, possibly due to abnormally charged air and ground.

Ghost Shuts Down Box Works

An article by Adella Lithman from the London Express describes a haunting at the Flair Cartons factory in South London. The 27-year-old boss, Barry Ray, is concerned about staff being scared away by doors opening and closing mysteriously, lights flickering, and machinery starting on its own. An 18-year-old assistant, Pat Bailey, reported seeing a mass of 'jelly' floating on the stairway, which he described as moaning. This sighting was enough to scare the staff into leaving early. The partners have called in a medium, who identified the ghost as Alfred Barnes, who died of starvation in 1873. The ghost reportedly asked for prayers.

Hopis Get Prophecy Sign From UFOs

By Bill Hume, a report from Albuquerque, N.M., dated October 10, 1970, discusses a series of UFO sightings near Prescott, Arizona, and the Hopi village of Hotevilla. Traditionalist Hopi leaders interpret these sightings as signs that the ancient Hopi prophecy of 'Purification Day' is near. Paul Solem claims he can call down saucers and that he was instructed by inhabitants of saucers to come to Hopi land. Chief Dan Katchongva, who claims to be 109 years old, states that Hopi Indians know other planets have people and are watching us. The prophecy involves the land being divided and cut four times, with highway construction being an indication. Hotevilla was settled by traditionalists who split from the progressive element of Oraibi. Mrs. Tawangyawma estimates about 500 people at Hotevilla believe in the prophecy, while other villages have adopted the 'white man's way.' The 'last warnings' are the flying saucers, and Purification Day is expected within the present generation. The only way to escape destruction is to 'go back to their teachings.' Solem suggests the saucers are piloted by people descended from the 10 lost tribes of Israel, similar to the Hopi.

Hoax'Mom' Returned To Jakarta

A Reuters report from Jakarta details the return of a woman who perpetrated a 'talking baby' hoax. Mrs. Tjut Zaharafonna claimed her 19-month-old unborn baby could talk and recite the Koran. This hoax fooled Indonesian leaders, including President Suharto. Medical experts examined her and found she had been feigning pregnancy, though indications suggested she may have recently given birth. She was taken for psychiatric examination. A foreign newsman speculated she might have been using a tape recorder. The Indonesian Doctors Association later confirmed she was not pregnant but could not explain her swollen stomach or the 'baby.' She was later arrested near Bandjarmasin.

Sub in Crash? Liner Boss May Sue Russians

A Reuters report from Marseille states that an inquiry commission found a Tunisian tanker bore marks indicating a collision with an underwater object near where the French submarine Eurydice was lost with its crew of 57. The tanker, Tabarka, had parallel scratches and traces of paint and metal. Rear-Admiral Georges Devie noted it was 'going too far' to say the Tabarka collided with the Eurydice. The owner of the Italian liner Achille Lauro suggested the submarine might have collided with the liner's rudder, explaining the damage found. The shipping line intends to claim damages if the submarine is proven to have hit the liner.

Purple People-eater?

A UPI report from Melbourne describes a hunt in western Australia for a mysterious beast whose tracks have been found in the outback. Local aborigines call it the legendary 'tjangara.' A government hunter, Peter Muir, found tracks resembling those of a creature with soft pads and two elongated toes, at least 10 inches long, tipped with a hard toe-claw. Aborigines described it as something like a caveman with a big club. The creature has been dubbed 'the abominable spinifex man.'

Anaheim Cogged Stones

An article discusses the mystery of 'cogged stones' found in Orange County, California, dating back about 8000 years. These artifacts, generally round with grooved edges, are precisely made but offer no clue to the life and culture of the early settlers.

Giant Cannibals in Nevada

By Charles Hillinger, this article explores the legend of giant, red-headed cannibals in Nevada, as believed by Piute Indians. Scores of red-haired mummies and thousands of artifacts have been found in a smoke-coated cave 22 miles southwest of Lovelock. Carbon 14 dating places occupation of the cave between 2000-3000 BC and 1800-1850 BC. Local Indians, like Annie Bill, were not surprised by the discovery of mummies, as they had legends of these giants. Annie Bill's aunt, Sarah Winnemucca Hopkins, described the tribe in her book 'Life Among the Piutes,' stating they were exterminated earlier in the 19th century. Clarence (Pike) Stoker, curator of Stoker's Museum, exhibits a giant skull and artifacts, theorizing the mummies might be descendants of Egyptians who sailed to America.

Hoax in Sailor's 'Death'

A report details a cruel hoax perpetrated on Mrs. Rita Lane, whose son, Seaman Ralph Lane, was falsely reported to have died in Vietnam. Two men in military uniforms delivered the false news. Mrs. Lane's family gathered, but later a telegram and a phone call from Ralph himself confirmed he was alive and well. The FBI is investigating this and similar incidents where individuals impersonate government officials to deliver false death notifications.

Seven Foot Prowler?

A report from Springdale describes a prowler investigation where a policeman noted the suspect had to be at least seven feet tall to look through a bedroom window.

'Ghost Man' Shoots Girl On South Side

This Chicago Tribune report blames a 'ghost man' for shooting a 17-year-old girl. The assailant, wearing a red ski mask and white sheet, fired a shotgun at the victim before fleeing.

Animal Killer Sought Near Waterloo, la.

An AP report details a search for an unidentified animal near Waterloo, Iowa, after footprints of four to six inches were found near three dogs and six hogs that were slain. One hog was partly devoured, and two dogs had broken necks or backs. Speculation on the animal ranged from a large dog to a mountain lion.

Watching the Watchers: Agent-Newsmen Exposed

By Ron Dorfman, this article discusses a trend of undercover agents posing as newsmen to gather information, particularly at peace demonstrations and corporate meetings. Examples are given of individuals posing as reporters for WJJO-TV and the Grand Rapids Press. The article also mentions a tip about U.S. Army Intelligence purchasing equipment for agents posing as television crews and a statement by Washington Star reporters vowing to expose any agents posing as newsmen. It also touches on the press corps itself being targeted, with the CIA suggesting the Overseas Weekly newspaper hire two agents.

Passengers Sought For Plane Thief

An AP report from Jacksonville, Florida, describes the FBI's search for a red-haired pilot who stole a twin-engined plane and flew it to Puerto Rico, abandoning it outside San Juan. The FBI also seeks four passengers picked up along the way. The plane was later seen in Grand Turk Island and Caracas, Venezuela, where the pilot used a bogus credit card.

Registry Thefts Worry Registrar

A Boston report details two burglaries at Registry of Motor Vehicles offices, where material for making possibly 150 plastic licenses was stolen. Registrar Richard E. McLaughlin believes the crimes were planned by 'high up' criminals, and the forged licenses could be used to obtain credit cards and make purchases by individuals barred from possessing Massachusetts licenses.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of ANOMALY consistently explores the unexplained, the mysterious, and the potentially paranormal. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on these phenomena without necessarily endorsing them, but rather presenting them as subjects of interest and investigation. Themes include technological malfunctions attributed to unknown causes, alleged paranormal activity (ghosts, mysterious noises), unexplained animal behavior, ancient legends and prophecies (Hopi), and potential cover-ups or deceptions (aeromagnetic maps, agent-newsmen). The magazine seems to cater to an audience interested in forteana, fringe science, and unexplained mysteries, encouraging readers to consider possibilities beyond conventional explanations.

This issue of the Palo Alto Times, dated Monday, January 11, 1970, features a lead story on a peculiar pigeon massacre discovered in a vacant lot. Other prominent articles include a report on a failed religious prophecy, a political assassination plot in Cameroon, and details about NASA's barium cloud experiments which have been linked to UFO sightings.

Mysterious Pigeon Massacre in Palo Alto

The main cover story details a bizarre incident where 36 dead pigeons were found in a vacant lot next to the Plowshare Bookstore in Palo Alto. Animal control officer Frank Herron reported that all but one of the birds had their heads "literally pulled off" with no sign of blood, a detail he found particularly strange and intriguing. Herron noted that some pigeons may have been there for over two weeks, while others for only a few days. The absence of blood was unusual, as standard methods of killing poultry typically result in bleeding. The conclusion drawn was that the pigeons were killed elsewhere and their bodies dumped. Both Herron and investigating police officers speculated on the cause, with Herron suggesting the possibility of ritualistic use of blood or a "pigeon purge" by someone who dislikes pigeons, especially given Palo Alto's generally low pigeon population.

World Mocks a Prophecy

This article, a New York Times News Service report from Charlotte, N.C., discusses the reaction of followers of a branch of the True Light Church of Christ to the failure of a prophecy concerning the second coming of Christ. The church had taught its 450 followers in North Carolina and South Carolina that the world would end and Christ would return. The failure of this prophecy, which was expected to occur by the end of 1970, has left them "shocked," though they do not doubt the sect's other doctrines. Elder H. Flake Braswell, who holds the title "temporal head of Christ's church," stated he could not provide a satisfactory explanation, attributing the failure to a misinterpretation of terms used by the sect's founder, Cunningham Boyle. Boyle, a Methodist layman who founded the sect in 1870, had reportedly developed a chronology based on the Book of Revelation, predicting Christ's return before the end of the current generation. Some followers believed that a person alive in 1870 would still be alive at the time of the second coming. Braswell noted that the oldest person in the church at the end of 1970 was only 98, indicating the prophecy's failure. Some members who had quit their jobs in anticipation of the end were undecided about returning to work. Russell McLeod, another elder, stated that seeking a new job would be premature due to expected "more developments."

Death Sentence For Cameroon Bishop Who Planned Spiritual Coup

This report details the sentencing of a Roman Catholic bishop in Cameroon to death for allegedly plotting to assassinate the nation's president. Msgr. Albert Ndongmo, the 44-year-old bishop of Nkongsamba, was one of three men sentenced by a Cameroon military tribunal to face a firing squad. The three were allegedly members of a quasi-religious organization called the Holy Cross for the Liberation of Cameroon. The bishop admitted to knowing rebel leaders and providing them with arms as a "symbol." The Vatican expressed "deep pain" at the sentence and appealed for clemency to President Ahmadou Ahidjo. The Vatican had previously removed Bishop Ndongmo from his diocese after accusations were made against him by the Cameroon government.

Specialized Research Notice

A notice from "SPECIALIZED RESEARCH" states that they do not issue membership cards or have accredited representatives, urging anyone claiming to represent them to be reported immediately.

Adams County UFO Eludes Explanation

This article reports on an unexplained flash of light and unusual noises in Adams County, Idaho, near New Meadows. Sheriff Alvin (Bud) Mason stated that no new tangible evidence was found after an intensive search by 35 snowmobilers. Residents reported seeing a flash of red and orange light and hearing a sound like a car door slamming. Dogs were also reportedly aroused by a noise. The reports were received on Thursday evening.

Barium Cloud Experiments: NASA Releases

This section compiles information from several NASA releases regarding barium cloud experiments.

NASA RELEASE 70-H-1273: Filed October 6, 1970, this describes a cooperative experiment between the Max Planck Institute of Munich and NASA, launched from Wallops Island, Va. The experiment ejected a barium cloud at an altitude of about 560 miles, which appeared light green tinged with red. As the barium ionized, it attached to the Earth's magnetic field, forming an elongated pattern. A similar experiment was planned for the spring of 1971 at an altitude of 20,000 miles to study Earth's magnetic and electric fields.

NASA RELEASE 70-209 (Condensed): This release details a series of barium cloud experiments that began on December 15, 1970, using Nike-Apache sounding rockets. The first four payloads used trimethylaluminum (TMA) to create pale white clouds, while a dawn launch used sodium vapor to generate a reddish-orange cloud. These experiments are conducted in cooperation with GCA Corp. and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. E. Benjamin Jackson is the Wallops Station Project Engineer, and Dr. Reimar Luest of the Max Planck Institute is the Project Scientist. The primary objective is to measure electric fields and wind motion.

Previous U.S. launches occurred on September 24, 1966, and March 30, 1967. These earlier shots did not generate significant UFO reports, as they were considered "fireworks" by most witnesses. The barium clouds typically remain visible for less than half an hour before turning into elongated streaks. The 1971 experiment at 20,000 miles is expected to generate more UFO reports. Similar experiments have been conducted in Sweden and Australia.

BARIUM CLOUD TEST (John A. Keel, March 15, 1971): This entry mentions a "super barium cloud test" tentatively scheduled for April 19, 1971, with launch windows from April 19-27. The barium cloud would be released at an altitude of 20,000 miles and expected to be visible across the Western Hemisphere, likely inspiring UFO reports. Delayed shots were possible in May 17-25. The barium cloud tests of October 5, 1970, and December 15, 1970, did produce UFO reports, with a reference to FATE magazine, April 1971, pages 18-19, for details on the October 5th shot.

Saucers, Space & Science Advertisement

An advertisement for "SAUCERS, SPACE & SCIENCE," described as Canada's best-known UFO magazine, is included. It is illustrated, offset, and offers reports and items for 75¢ per sample copy or $3.00 per year for four issues.

Still With Us... (I See By The Papers)

This section, attributed to FATE, April 1971, presents a few UFO reports that have crossed their desk:

• Tice, Florida (October 5, 1970): Richard V. Stebbins reported seeing an object about the size of the moon over his home at 5:15 A.M. It floated around a cloud and was seen clearly before fading away. About 10 minutes later, Mrs. Gertrude Post saw a similar orange object with a tail that came close to the ground and disappeared.
• Bay City, Michigan (October 10, 1970): A brief mention of an object seen in this location.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around unexplained phenomena, including the bizarre pigeon massacre and UFO sightings linked to scientific experiments. There is also a strong focus on religious beliefs and prophecies, particularly the failed prediction of the end of the world by the True Light Church. The issue also touches upon international events with the report on the Cameroon bishop's death sentence, highlighting potential political intrigue and religious extremism. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on unusual and unexplained events, with a particular interest in UFOs and paranormal occurrences, as evidenced by the inclusion of multiple articles on barium cloud experiments and UFO reports, as well as the advertisement for a UFO magazine.