Anomaly 08 1972 Summer

Magazine Overview

Title: ANOMALY
Issue: 8
Volume: 11
Date: Summer 1972 (Issue Date: 1972-06-01)
Publisher: SPECIALIZED RESEARCH
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of ANOMALY, a journal of forteana, is dedicated to exploring unexplained phenomena, with a particular focus on the 25th anniversary of the disappearance of the Sodder children and the psychological and medical aspects of UFO experiences.

The Sodder Children Mystery

The lead story, "25th Anniversary of a Sad Christmas" by Kaj Spencer, revisits the tragic events of Christmas Eve 1945 in Fayetteville, where the Sodder family home burned down. Mr. and Mrs. George Sodder had allowed their nine children to stay up late. At 12:30 am, Mrs. Sodder was awakened by a prank phone call. Shortly after, she smelled smoke and discovered the house was engulfed in flames. While Mr. Sodder and the oldest daughter managed to rescue three children, five children—Betty (5), Jenny (8), Louis (9), Martha Lu (12), and Maurice (14)—were unaccounted for and presumed lost in the fire. The article highlights the family's long search for answers, the lack of cooperation from authorities, and the lingering mystery surrounding the event. Mrs. Sodder, facing the 25th Christmas since the fire, is described as "about ready to give up." The community is divided on whether the children perished or were spirited away. The article also notes that the fire department was delayed in responding due to wartime staffing shortages.

Further details on the Sodder case are provided in "Sad Christmas." Mr. Sodder's extensive search across the United States is detailed, including a report from a Mrs. Ida Crutchfield who claimed to have seen four of the children with two men. A photograph of a young man, identified as Louis Sodder, was received years later with cryptic messages. The family hired a private detective who disappeared after being paid. The article questions whether the fire was hot enough to completely consume the children's bodies or if they were kidnapped, as Mrs. Sodder believes. The lack of cooperation from law enforcement and the inconclusive investigations are emphasized.

Highlights from Recent Back Numbers of Flying Saucer Review

This section provides a list of articles from previous issues of Flying Saucer Review, covering topics such as UFO sightings near Rio, possible UFO-induced paralysis, the 1909 airship wave, the Aveyron enquiry, a humanoid sighting at Imjärvi, photographs from Cradle Hill, and mystery aeroplanes of the 1930s. It also lists articles on UFOs over Lakenheath, the speech of aliens, palaeolithic UFO-shapes, San Jose de Valderas UFO photographs, the Kuala Lumpur UFO, and the time-cycle factor.

Actual Films of Flying Saucers!

A 30-minute movie narrated by John A. Keel is available for free to bona fide clubs and organizations. The film, shot in full color and sound from Florida to Maine, requires a Super-8 sound projector for viewing.

Medical Aspects of Non-Events

This section, "MEDICAL ASPECTS OF NON-EVENTS," by John A. Keel, delves into the psychological and physiological experiences of individuals reporting encounters with the unexplained, particularly UFOs.

1. Classification of Hallucinations

The author distinguishes between "hallucination" (an apparent perception with no external cause) and "hallucinosis" (repeatedly seeing or hearing things without external cause and not physically real). Three main types of hallucination are detailed:

• Visual: Eye-ball impressions of objects not in reality, including animals, insects, ghosts, monsters, and unidentified flying objects (UFOs).
• Audio: Hearing sounds and voices with no discernible external cause, such as a baby crying or an unseen car door slamming. This is common among UFO witnesses and those reporting ghost encounters.
• Sensual: Physical perceptions, such as the sensation of being touched by invisible hands. These can range from religious experiences to demonology and ufology, and in advanced forms, can be sexual or involve impressions of pain (e.g., solar plexus pain, stigmata).

The article notes that many reported UFO sightings fall into the subjective category, where percipients may have active or latent psychic abilities and experience trance-like states, time lapses, and physical symptoms. An example given is Miss Clem, a witness at the Presque Isle landing in 1966, who had a history of psychic experiences.

It also discusses the "pregnancy test" experienced by Betty Hill and a similar account from a woman interviewed at Wanaque Reservoir, New Jersey, in 1966, who described "little men" performing a procedure on her.

Euphoria

Euphoria is described as a common symptom in religious miracles and UFO contact cases, characterized by stimulated pleasure centers, diminished volition, and a sexual feeling, akin to an extreme orgasm. This state makes percipients receptive to further contact.

2. Broadcasts to the Mind

This section explores the phenomenon of hearing voices that are not externally present, known as clairaudience in psychic circles and often labeled as schizophrenia in psychiatry. The author links clairaudience to UFO manifestations, referencing Richard Shaver's theory of "rays" from the "Deros" and early FATE magazine articles. Cases investigated by the author suggest a combination of visual and audio hallucinations, with the percipient entering a trance-like state where their consciousness is cut off from reality, and their mind constructs a false but seemingly genuine reality.

3. Games Non-People Play

Contact experiences are described as often beginning with a visual hallucination, such as seeing an angel, demon, spaceman, or a large animal. Entities establish credibility by demonstrating knowledge of the victim's history and predicting future events. These encounters can lead to a "solid friendship." The UFO frame of reference may involve staged encounters on isolated roads, often initiated by an inexplicable urge to drive. Prior minor experiences and symptoms, such as sudden blackouts (weeks or months before contact) and the "number-calling phenomenon" (hearing monotone numbers), are presented as early warning signs.

The article details how victims are prepared for contact subliminally, potentially programmed like a computer. Once contact is established, victims may be drawn into complex "games" involving purchasing items to be left in isolated fields or retrieving them, mirroring accounts from contactees like Howard Menger. These games suggest a controlling intelligence or force beyond ordinary schizophrenia. Some victims are directed to use indirect communication methods like Ouija boards or take hypnotics, and to visit specific locations such as high hills, graveyards, and deserts, which are often sites of original UFO observations.

The use of Ouija boards can lead to manifestations like incubus and succubus phenomena, with invisible entities allegedly attacking individuals sexually. The author notes striking similarities across widely separated, rarely publicized cases, suggesting a psychological basis rather than pure fantasy.

Even Large Talking Animals Like "Harvey" Are Commonplace

This subsection briefly mentions that seemingly unrelated facts surface during interviews, and victims may have had minor experiences and symptoms long before contact. Sudden blackouts and the "number-calling phenomenon" are highlighted as precursors.

4. The Road to Paranoia

This section posits that paranoia in UFO cases is induced, not innate. Entities reportedly make victims aware of constant surveillance through mysterious mail and phone activity. Precise future predictions, such as a specific phone call at an exact time informing of a distant relative's death, serve to convince the victim that the entities possess complete knowledge of the future.

Other Mentions

Brief news items include the disappearance of Melvin Aaron Nelson from Kansas City in December 1970, the ending of a Coast Guard search for a Virginia man at Cape Hatteras, and vandalism at the N.Y. Children's Zoo where animals were killed or mutilated.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the unexplained, particularly mysterious disappearances, UFO phenomena, and the psychological and perceptual experiences associated with them. The magazine appears to adopt a stance of serious inquiry into these subjects, presenting detailed accounts and attempting to categorize and understand the reported phenomena from both a fortean and a psychological/medical perspective. The editorial stance seems to be one of open-minded investigation, acknowledging the subjective nature of many experiences while also seeking patterns and potential underlying causes, whether psychological, paranormal, or extraterrestrial.

This issue of the magazine, dated from the early 1970s, features a collection of articles exploring various unexplained phenomena, including local legends, UFO sightings, psychic experiences, and theories of government manipulation.

The Goatman Legend

The lead article, "Legend of Fletchertown Road" by Ivan G. Goldman, investigates the myth of the Goatman in Prince George's County, Maryland. The legend is fueled by sightings and incidents, including a discarded refrigerator with "Goatman Was Here" scrawled on it and, more disturbingly, the decapitated head of a dog named Ginger. The article notes that descriptions of the Goatman vary, with some saying he has a man's upper body and a goat's lower body, while others describe him as a madman living in the forest. The folklore archives at the University of Maryland contain stories gathered from high school students, some suggesting the Goatman was a scientist who experimented on goats and later lived in seclusion.

UFOs and Psychic Phenomena

Several articles delve into UFO experiences and related psychological phenomena. One section discusses how victims of alleged alien encounters can begin to believe they are causing future events, leading to fear and mental confusion. It posits that UFO lore is based on classic psychic manifestations rather than extraterrestrial beings. The concept of "post-hypnotic suggestion" is explored as a potential trigger for UFO experiences, where specific words or sounds can induce a trance or hallucinatory state. The case of Barney and Betty Hill is mentioned, where a beeping sound is cited as a trigger.

Another article, "They Get 'High' on Religion," by Merla Zellerbach, touches upon the "Jesus Cult" and a polygraph test taken by a man named Gregory M. who claimed to have seen Jesus Christ. The examiner concluded that while the test did not prove the vision, it showed the subject believed he had received one.

"The Death Dream" discusses variations of the classic "death dream" phenomenon, where comatose patients experience vivid dreams of ascending to heaven. It notes that some UFO experiences seem to be based on these dreams, citing an incident in 1971 where a man on a boat experienced a blue light and encounters with men in black suits and frogmen.

Government Manipulation and Control

"I can't be sure whether I'm saying all this or if it's coming from the government" by Tom Huth, focuses on Peter Mason, who filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government to stop alleged manipulation of his body. Mason claims an electronic device implanted in him since childhood allows the U.S. and Soviet governments to control his thoughts and actions. He believes the device was implanted in 1968 while he was working on Bobby Kennedy's campaign. He states that the U.S. government now uses a computer as his therapist through this device, providing him with certain benefits but limiting his freedom.

Another section, "Where Do They Go?" questions the basis of the UFO "mystery," suggesting that sightings and contactee testimonies lack real evidence and that psychic manifestations and hallucinations may be responsible. It raises the question of what happens to a person's body during these experiences, with "possession" being offered as one answer. The article criticizes the lack of rigorous medical and psychological investigation in the UFO field, noting that many researchers seek to prove the existence of UFOs rather than objectively study the phenomena.

Book Reviews and Other Short Items

The issue includes several book reviews. "Dr. Hynek: Smelling Smoke" reviews J. Allen Hynek's book "The UFO Experience," criticizing its apologetic tone and lack of scientific rigor. "I.T. Sanderson: Putting Out Fires" discusses Ivan T. Sanderson's "Investigating the Unexplained," praising it as a valuable research tool for Forteana. "E. Von Daniken: Custard Pie in the Sky" reviews Erich Von Daniken's "Gods From Outer Space," noting its theory that Earth was originally settled by beings from outer space and that Daniken is moving towards more speculative theories.

Other short items include "Always on Rainday," which correlates rainfall with Apollo moon landings, and "Name of the Game," a brief anecdote about a man attempting to cash a stolen check. "Favor Returned 5 Years Later" tells a story of a man helping another on the highway and being repaid years later.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the unexplained, the nature of belief, and skepticism towards extraordinary claims. There is a clear editorial stance that leans towards critical analysis, questioning the validity of UFO phenomena as extraterrestrial in origin and suggesting psychological or sociological explanations. The articles encourage systematic and objective investigation, particularly by medical and psychological professionals, rather than by enthusiasts seeking to prove pre-conceived notions. The issue also highlights the human tendency to create and perpetuate myths and legends, as seen in the Goatman story, and explores the potential for psychological manipulation, whether by external forces or internal beliefs.

This issue of the Better Business Bureau's news release, dated February 14, 1972, focuses on consumer issues and includes several articles on unexplained phenomena.

Consumer Complaints and Inquiries

The Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan New York released its annual list of the "top 10" consumer complaints and inquiries for 1971. The Bureau received 83,502 complaints and 145,275 inquiries, representing a 21% and 22% increase, respectively, over 1970 figures. Furniture topped the list of complaints, while business opportunities were the leading category for inquiries. The statistics cover 141 different products and services. Jean Drissell is noted as the Director of Public Information.

On the Monster Trail: Loch Ness and Big Foot

This section, authored by Henry Allen, details the persistent search for the Loch Ness Monster by Tim Dinsdale, an Englishman who has spent 14 years hunting "Nessie." Dinsdale's efforts are compared to Peter Byrne's search for Oregon's "Big Foot." Dinsdale believes that proving the existence of one creature will help break down scientific prejudice against the other. He recounts filming the monster in 1960 and describes his hypothesis that it is a descendant of the plesiosaurus. The article also touches upon other alleged monster sightings globally. A photograph attributed to "Margaret Thomas - The Washington Post" shows Tim Dinsdale.

Belly Aches: Strange Medical Cases

This section, compiled by researcher Angelo Capparella III, presents several historical accounts of unusual medical occurrences. One item from the Charlotte, N.C. Daily Observer (July 24, 1897) reports on the ejection of live lizards from a man's stomach. Another from Hanoi, dated March 1972, details North Vietnamese doctors removing a ten-inch "monster" with a cyclopic eye from a man's abdomen. A testimony from Statesville, N.C. (May 27, 1886) describes a person's recovery after taking Dr. Bachmann's Vermifuge and Dr. Dunlap's Liver Regulator, which apparently expelled a "spring lizard."

No Definite Explanation: Stars, Air Ships, Hot Air Balloons Or Meteors?

Authored by Chap Millis, this article from the Daily Courier-News, Elgin, Ill. (November 12, 1971) revisits sightings of a mysterious "illuminated airship" in Elgin, Illinois, around April 10, 1897. Multiple newspapers reported the phenomenon, with descriptions ranging from a ship with red, blue, and white lights to a "cigar-shaped object." Explanations offered at the time included Alpha Orionis, a meteor shower, or paper balloons launched by youths. The article notes that the sightings occurred before the Wright Brothers' first airplane flight.

The Etymology of UFOLOGY

This piece discusses the terminology used in the field of ufology. The author, who previously worked as a science editor and geography editor, critiques the lack of precise terms and the use of "crackpot" language. The article suggests adopting established medical and scientific terms, such as "percipient" (for witnesses) and "skiamachia" (for the study of UFOs), to lend greater credibility to the field. It also touches upon the psychological aspects of belief and the tendency for ufologists to exhibit traits of fanaticism and paranoia.

Flickering Light Reveals Susceptibility To Epileptic Seizures

Authored by Judith Randal, this article from the Washington Star (Copyright 1971) reports on a hereditary trait that makes individuals susceptible to epileptic seizures triggered by flickering light. Studies suggest that as many as one in four people may carry this trait, which is more common in children and affects more girls than boys. The article also mentions a "black, shiny monster" sighted in a lake near suburban Chicago, with a salesman named Robert Seeger claiming to have witnessed it and found bent fishing hooks as evidence.

Stole a Stone Wall

This brief report from the Wilkesboro, N.C. Chronicle (October 13, 1897) details two unusual thefts: 15,000 live fish from an artificial lake and a large stone wall surrounding the Hebrew Burial Association graveyard in Haverhill, Mass. The wall was estimated to contain nearly 1000 cords of stone.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include consumer advocacy, the persistent human fascination with the unknown (monsters, UFOs), and the intersection of science, belief, and unexplained phenomena. The Better Business Bureau's section adopts a factual, data-driven approach to consumer issues. The articles on cryptozoology and UFOs, while presenting information and theories, often highlight the skepticism and the search for scientific validation. The medical and historical pieces offer intriguing, albeit sometimes bizarre, accounts that challenge conventional understanding. The overall stance appears to be one of reporting on diverse topics, from practical consumer advice to the more speculative realms of unexplained events and phenomena.

This document is a single page from a magazine titled "SPACELINK WORLD UFO NEWS FLYING SAUCER SCENE", issue Vol. 6 No. 4, with a raw date of 1897. The main cover headline is "THINGS WILL NEVER BE THE SAME!". The page also contains advertisements and reviews for other publications.

CAVEAT EMPTOR Magazine

CAVEAT EMPTOR is presented as an "all-new magazine packed with reports, articles and illustrations about the whole spectrum of strange events." It aims to help readers understand the changing future by understanding the past and present, which are filled with strange events dismissed by orthodox science. A one-year subscription for 4 issues costs $2.00. Orders are to be made payable to G & G Steinberg, Dept. A, 22 Strode Ave., Coatesville, Pa. 19320.

OUTERMOST Publication

OUTERMOST is edited by Gene Duplantier and is described as a publication where "A man risks his life to tell his UFO secret!" It includes "many articles and features" and a "worldwide directory of UFO clubs and publications." Mail orders are to be sent to Gene Duplantier, 17 Shetland St., Willowdale, Ontario, Canada. The price per copy is $1.50.

SPACELINK WORLD UFO NEWS FLYING SAUCER SCENE - Issue Details

This specific issue, Vol. 6 No. 4, is highlighted for its content on the "1897 Controversy," an interview with Dr. Allen Hynek, the Stendek air-crash story, "Saucers and Monsters," photos of the Cairo "Virgin Mary," a list of South American magazines, cartoons, Lionel's Litter, and book and magazine details, all supported by photos and illustrations. Subscription options include a sample copy for 20p or 65 cents postage, and four issues for 75p or $2.20. Contact information is provided for USA (Paradice International, Tulsa, Oklahoma), Canada (Joseph Sklaruk, Toronto, Ontario), and the UK (Atlantis Bookshop, DTWAGE Bookshop, The Bookworm, KSM Bookshop, Susanne Stebbing, and most UK UFO clubs).

Pensee Magazine and Dr. Velikovsky

An academic magazine named Pensee has released a 50-page issue summarizing new scientific discoveries that confirm many of Dr. Velikovsky's speculations and conclusions. This issue costs $2.00 per copy and can be ordered from Pensee, P.O. Box 414, Portland, Oregon 97207.

The other ANOMALY Journal

"The other ANOMALY" is described as a "magnificently illustrated sci-fi journal that'll curl your mind." It costs $2 per copy and features full-color illustrations. The editor is Jan S. Strnad, located at 1340 N. Hillside, Wichita, Kansas 67214.

Review of John A. Keel's 'Our Haunted Planet'

Ivan T. Sanderson reviews John A. Keel's book 'Our Haunted Planet', published by Fawcett Publications, Inc. (Gold Medal Paperback) for 75¢. Sanderson notes that while the book "only fringes upon our particular field" of tangible unexplained mysteries, it delves deeply into "much more difficult and weird intangible aspects." He praises Keel's journalistic style for making the reports engaging, though he points out potential inaccuracies or variances in published accounts. Sanderson believes Keel's theories, particularly regarding "ultra-terrestrials" (an idea he also explored in previous books like 'Strange Creatures from Time and Space' and 'UFOs: Operation Trojan Horse'), are terrifying to many. He criticizes the publisher for not including a full bibliography or an index, deeming them essential for such a work. Despite this, Sanderson strongly recommends the book, stating, "But get the book all of you."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The document consistently focuses on UFOs, strange events, and alternative scientific theories that challenge mainstream orthodoxy. Publications like CAVEAT EMPTOR and SPACELINK aim to explore these phenomena, while reviews of books like John Keel's 'Our Haunted Planet' and mentions of Pensee magazine's support for Dr. Velikovsky's work indicate an editorial stance that is open to, and actively promotes, unconventional ideas and research outside of established scientific paradigms. The emphasis on understanding the future through past and present "strange events" suggests a belief in the significance of these phenomena for human understanding.