Anomaly 10 1973 Nov

Magazine Overview

Title: ANOMALY
Issue: 10
Subtitle: A JOURNAL OF FORTEANA
Date: 1967 Edition (likely Winter 1971 based on page 2 date)
Publisher: Specialized Research

This issue of Anomaly delves into a wide array of unexplained phenomena, historical curiosities, and alleged monster sightings, reflecting the Fortean tradition of exploring the unusual and the unexplained.

"Flying Saucers" or "Fairy Rings"?

The lead article explores the historical context of aerial phenomena, suggesting that 'flying saucers' are not exclusive to modern times. It references a couplet from Erasmus Darwin's 1789 poem, 'The Botanic Garden,' which describes 'fairy rings' and links them to lightning. The article elaborates on Darwin's scientific explanation of fairy rings, attributing them to electrical discharges from thunderclouds that strike the earth, creating a calcined ring of grass that becomes a richer soil, often producing funguses or bluer grass. Darwin observed these in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, noting their persistence. The article also mentions a modern instance where a fairy ring discovered in Jaffrey, New Hampshire, in the summer of 1965, was reportedly left by a flying saucer, according to local residents.

Rapid Disorganization of the Human Body

This section recounts an unusual event from March 16, 1802, in Massachusetts, where the body of an elderly woman reportedly evaporated and disappeared within approximately one and a half hours. The incident occurred while part of the family was asleep and the rest were abroad. A grandchild discovered a fire near the hearth, and during the efforts to extinguish it, peculiar appearances were observed, including greasy soot, ashes, and remains of a human body, along with an unusual smell. All her clothes were consumed, and the grandmother was missing. While initially thought to be a case of burning to death, the small size of the fire made complete consumption unlikely, leading to the conclusion that it might be a case of spontaneous human decomposition.

The Comet Ikeya-Seki

This brief note reports on the discovery of the comet Ikeya-Seki in September 1965 by two Japanese astronomers. It became visible to Japanese and mid-Pacific observers on October 25, 1965. The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Woomera, Australia, captured good photographs. However, scientists from NASA Ames Research Center were hindered by the comet's proximity to the sun and its long tail. The comet did not collide with the sun and subsequently disappeared.

New Mystery... Arrow in Sea Points West

This section, accompanied by a photograph, describes an underwater arrow-like object discovered off the Bahamas. Measuring 150 feet long and 70 feet wide, its origin, purpose, and creator remain unknown. The report is attributed to the Miami News, dated April 14, 1973.

Anomalies: Types and Classifications

Written by Marcello Truzzi, this article, dated Winter 1971, categorizes anomalies into two main types: (1) anomalous objects (things or events that deviate from the usual, credible order) and (2) anomalous processes (ordinary things or events in an extraordinary conjunction or causal relationship). Examples of anomalous objects include sightings of the abominable snowman or sea serpents. Anomalous processes are illustrated by occult beliefs, such as a pin in a wax image causing death or planetary positions affecting personality. Anomalies are further classified as isolated (e.g., belief in UFOs) or integrated (where multiple anomalies are linked). Integrated anomalies often involve process anomalies, where an occultist might accept various magical processes, whereas UFO believers are not necessarily more likely to accept claims about other phenomena like the Loch Ness Monster. The article suggests that anomalous processes, based on inferred strange causalities, require more evidence to convince skeptics than anomalous objects.

1973 - A Great Fortean Year

This editorial, attributed to John A. Keel, highlights a surge of unusual events in 1973. It mentions a major UFO flap, sightings of 'Abominable Swamp Slobs' in Pennsylvania and Illinois, and the 'Enfield monster' with three legs. The article notes the recurrence of the McDaniel name in connection with paranormal events, referencing a previous Anomaly issue about a McDaniel encounter. It also reports on a 'Blob' sighting in Garland, Texas. Expeditions are noted to be searching for Sasquatch in the northwest and investigating the Loch Ness Monster in Scotland. North American Rockwell's project in Florida is mentioned in relation to the Bermuda Triangle. The article also touches on the failed expedition to find Lost Atlantis led by Mrs. Maxine Asher, who allegedly departed with funds. F. Lee Bailey is mentioned for claiming a client found Aztec treasure in White Sands Proving Grounds, a claim dismissed by the government. Finally, the editorial notes unusual solar activity and magnetic conditions, with probes sent to the sun, and anticipates a major comet that will bypass Earth in December, potentially causing a 'sky spectacular' or even ending the world. The editorial concludes with a somewhat ominous, "It's going to be a great year."

Other Creature Sightings Recalled

Wabash "Monster" Being Sought: An anthropology student, Loren Coleman, is planning to hunt the 'Enfield monster' in White County, Illinois, with a camera and tape recorder. Coleman has been collecting data on such sightings for 10 years and believes the creature may be a type of anthropoid ape. He recounts previous reports of ape-like creatures from Lawrence County (1962), Jackson County (1942), Florida ('skunk ape,' 1971), and Canton, Alabama (1960). A report from Bonnie, Illinois, in 1941, describes a creature that knocked off a clergyman's hat.

Snallygaster Loose in Carroll County, Md.: Residents of Sykesville, Maryland, are reporting a creature described as 7 to 10 feet tall, thin, with long grayish-brown hair and large feet. State police are investigating. The term 'snallygaster' is defined as a mythical, nocturnal creature, half-bird and half-reptile, preying on children and poultry, possibly a corruption of the German 'schnelle geeschter' ('quick spirits'). The article notes that sightings ceased in the 1930s after a newspaper story claimed the winged creature drowned in a mash barrel. More recently, a creature described as 6 feet tall with a bushy tail and black hair was sighted, possibly a 'Son of Snallygaster.' Footprints measuring 13.5 inches long and 5 inches wide were found, and a Baltimore Zoo expert was summoned.

Heat Stirs Up Crackpots

This brief article, attributed to Toni House and dated June 12, 1973, notes that during extended heat waves, individuals claiming divine messages, extraterrestrial contact, or secret agent status swarm City Hall. It recounts an incident where a caller claiming to be a representative of Howard Hughes asked what Cleveland needed, to which the executive secretary replied, "A few million dollars."

Hunt: 'A Bit Of a Romantic'

This extensive article delves into conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination of President Kennedy, suggesting it was a complex event involving multiple parties rather than the work of a lone gunman. It mentions civilian investigators who have faced harassment and highlights the alleged wholesale deaths of key witnesses and tampering with evidence. The article anticipates the release of the motion picture 'Executive Action,' which it claims will demonstrate the probable manner of the assassination without naming co-conspirators. It asserts documented evidence of Lee Harvey Oswald's connections with the F.B.I. and C.I.A., citing David Ferrie's library card found among Oswald's effects. Ruby's connections with the Mafia and C.I.A. are also mentioned, along with Ferrie's past as a C.I.A. pilot. The drug trade and Cuban interests are implicated. The article suggests that multiple individuals were involved in setting up false trails and covering the escape of the gunmen. It posits that the fatal shot was fired by a .45 automatic at close range, and ballistics studies indicate three gunmen were involved, with one shot missing, one hitting Governor Connally, and one striking President Kennedy in the throat. The operation is estimated to have cost between two and five million dollars.

The Bay of Pigs

This section continues the discussion of the Kennedy assassination, linking it to the Bay of Pigs invasion. It suggests that the motives for the killing were complex, involving various groups with their own agendas, including fanatical right-wingers and unwitting Cuban refugees. The article mentions Madame Nu, who allegedly ruled the drug traffic in Southeast Asia and fled to the US before the coup that wiped out her family in Vietnam. It claims that C.I.A. agents in Vietnam operated a profitable drug trade, and Jack Ruby served as a 'bag man' for drug gangsters. President Kennedy is portrayed as being disturbed by the C.I.A.'s activities and appalled by the murder of Vietnamese leaders. The Bay of Pigs invasion, planned during the Eisenhower administration, is discussed, with Vice President Nixon as liaison. It suggests that Nixon's associates had business interests in Cuba that were lost when Fidel Castro seized power. The article states that Kennedy ordered U.S. air support removed from the invasion plan, insisting on Cuban refugees only. The C.I.A. believed the invasion would spark an uprising, but it failed, leading Cuban refugees to blame Kennedy. E. Howard Hunt is identified as a C.I.A. agent involved in planning the Bay of Pigs invasion, and Major Alexander Haig as the army officer liaison between the White House and the C.I.A.

November 22, 1963

This section, dated November 22, 1963, claims that according to official records, no Secret Service members were stationed in Dealey Plaza on the day of the President's assassination. However, it notes that two men claiming to be Secret Service agents were present, wearing specific colored pins. The article mentions William Allen, a photographer who captured images of Dallas policemen leading a man away from the grassy knoll. This man is described as slim, with thinning hair, an angular face, a sharp pointed nose, and a determined jaw, and his presence in Dealey Plaza has no official record. The article then jumps to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis, stating that the F.B.I. announced the killer's name was Eric Starvo Galt, releasing a drawing that closely resembled the man photographed in Dealey Plaza, but not James Earl Ray, who was later convicted. The name 'Eric Starvo Galt' is identified as a literary conceit from an Ian Fleming James Bond novel.

Finally, Watergate

This section connects the Kennedy and King assassinations to the Watergate scandal. It states that the arrested Watergate burglars produced false identification bearing names from novels by David St. John, who specialized in spy novels and was an authority on witchcraft and black magic. David St. John's real name is revealed to be E. Howard Hunt, described as having an angular face, sharp nose, and determined chin. The article poses the question of whether Hunt's face matches the description of 'Eric Starvo Galt' after subtracting some hair, suggesting his romantic flair has led him from Dallas in 1963 to Memphis in 1968 and finally to jail in 1973. The New York Times is cited as calling him a failure despite earning over $50,000 a year and publishing more than forty books. The article contrasts Hunt's career with that of Alexander Haig, who rose from major to four-star general in 11 years and became President Nixon's Chief of Staff. The section concludes with a quote from the late Robert Kennedy expressing concern about guns between him and the White House and a potential revolt of the generals. Richard Giesbrecht is mentioned for overhearing a conversation possibly involving Ferrie about the assassination, and being told by the F.B.I. to forget it because "It's too big... We can't protect you." The article suggests a long-range scenario, with Ferrie mentioning "now we're getting all the money we need from Mercury, Nevada," which is identified as the headquarters for Atomic Energy Commission underground nuclear tests.

Missouri Copter Believed Spying for Cattle Rustlers

This news report from Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, details authorities' belief that an unmarked Army transport-type helicopter hovering over southern Missouri is being used for cattle rustling reconnaissance. Sheriff's deputy Louis Layton stated the helicopter appears to be spotting cattle in the early evening and picking them up late at night. Similar reports have been received from southern Illinois. The deputy described seeing the helicopter hovering low over cattle, taking off rapidly when a police car's flashing red light was spotted. While there have been no recent missing cattle reports in Ste. Genevieve or St. Francois counties, thefts have occurred in Iron and Raynolds counties. Layton theorized that rustlers use tranquilizer guns and a cable to hoist the animals aboard.

Hovering Helicopter 'Eyes' Cattle in Southern Illinois

This article, by Wanda Barras and DeMaris Berry of The Southern Illinoisan, reports on helicopter cattle rustlers sought by police for cattle thefts in Perry and Randolph Counties. Two incidents occurred in Union County. Edwin Peters and Margaret Stone reported hearing and seeing a helicopter hovering over their cattle herds. Peters fired two shotgun blasts over the helicopter, causing it to flee. The Union County Sheriff's office had no reports of thefts from county farmers. Mrs. Stone reported hearing a helicopter and a truck for about 30 minutes. Randolph County Sheriff Ralph Bollinger confirmed several helicopter sightings, including one matching the description of the one suspected in rustling operations, seen east of Chester. The county has regular patrols, and farmers are being asked to assist by notifying the sheriff's department if they spot anything suspicious. A report of three head of cattle shot near Steeleville was filed against a Randolph County man.

Locked Doors No Use; Whole House Stolen

A brief news item from Neehan, Wisconsin, reports that thieves stole an entire 24x32-foot prefabricated caretaker's house. Four men reportedly loaded the house onto a flatbed trailer and drove off.

Multi-colored Snowfall

A brief report from Sofia, Bulgaria, mentions light brown snow with red hues being reported in northeast Bulgaria, a phenomenon meteorologists are at a loss to explain.

Entire Barn is Stolen While Owner is Away

A news item from Newton, Utah, reports that a barn was stolen while the owner, Mrs. David Griffon, was away on a trip.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Anomaly are the exploration of unexplained phenomena, unexplained creatures, and conspiracy theories. The magazine appears to adopt a Fortean stance, presenting accounts of unusual events and alleged mysteries without necessarily endorsing them as factual but rather as subjects worthy of investigation and discussion. There is a clear interest in historical accounts of the strange, alongside contemporary reports of UFOs, monsters, and alleged cover-ups. The editorial stance seems to be one of open-minded inquiry into phenomena that fall outside conventional scientific or historical explanations, often highlighting the perceived inadequacy of official explanations or the existence of hidden agendas. The linking of disparate events, such as assassinations and UFO sightings, suggests a belief in underlying, complex scenarios connecting seemingly unrelated occurrences.

This issue of the magazine, identified by page number 197, focuses on the intriguing "Wednesday Phenomenon" in UFO reports. The main article posits that Wednesday consistently produces more UFO reports than any other day of the week, a pattern observed in preliminary studies and confirmed by researchers worldwide.

The Wednesday Phenomenon

The primary article details research into the "Wednesday Phenomenon." A study of 730 reports from 1966 initially noted this anomaly. Subsequent research, including an analysis of UFO reports from 1950 cataloged by Dr. David Saunders (U.S.A.), Ballester-Orlando (Spain), and J. Bonabot (Belgium), revealed that Wednesday generated the largest number of sightings in all three countries. The distribution table for 1950 shows Wednesday with 132 reports (18.8%), the highest among all days.

However, the article also presents contrasting findings. Mr. Edgar Simons of Belgium conducted a larger study over a twenty-year period and found that Tuesdays produced the greatest number of sightings in Belgium. Meanwhile, Dr. David Saunders has been programming thousands of U.S. sightings into a computer at the University of Colorado, and his latest report indicates that Wednesday continues to hold the lead for U.S. sightings.

Further patterns are noted, with landings and contacts seeming to follow a timetable, concentrating around the 10th and 21st of the month. Mr. Simons has discovered this latter pattern also holds true in Belgium. The article suggests that UFO sightings may be related to sunspot activity and the phases of the moon, with some "lights-in-the-sky" possibly being natural phenomena responding to solar conditions.

Other Anomalous Incidents

The issue also includes several reports on other strange and unexplained events:

Shattered Windows Epidemics

Researcher Ronald Dobbins has located items concerning periodic epidemics of shattered windows. One report from the New York Times on April 24, 1921, details a "mysterious band of men" causing significant damage by cutting plate glass windows in London, with over 2500 windows ruined in the London area. Another report from the Los Angeles Times on November 23, 1972, mentions forty motorists in Naples, Italy, reporting their car windshields stolen overnight. A report from The Arizona Republic on January 7, 1973, notes over 60 reports of vandals smashing car windows in one police district on a Friday night, with damage attributed to pellet guns but no suspects seen.

Mysterious Disappearances and Thefts

A report from The Courier on July 20, 1973, details the disappearance of a five-ton wrecking ball from a demolition site in Indianapolis, Indiana, where it had been suspended about 200 feet up on a crane's cable. From Cairo, Egypt, a Middle East News Agency report from March 29, 1973, describes a 20-year-old bride who vanished when the ground opened up under her and swallowed her on an Alexandria street. In Russell County, Kansas, 80 barrels of crude oil were reported stolen from a storage tank, with authorities puzzled as to the motive.

City Hall Gaseous Fumes

An article from The Arizona Republic on March 2-5, 1973, discusses mysterious gaseous fumes that repeatedly invaded the switchboard room of City Hall, disabling operators. Despite investigations by technicians, fire department, and police experts, the source remained elusive. The latest incident may have been triggered by redecorating, possibly involving fumes from an adhesive mastic. The air conditioning system was modified to provide 100% fresh air, and a positive pressure system was implemented to prevent fumes from entering the room.

Astronaut's Experience

U.S. astronaut Ronald Evans is quoted stating that UFOs "may be real after all." He recounted hearing "a little sound 'whoooo'" when his craft went behind the moon and he left the radios on, even though Earth was silent.

Other Brief Reports

• Tarzan's Little Monkey Friends Thrive in Florida: Anthropologist William R. Maples notes that two packs of rhesus monkeys, possibly numbering 200, are thriving in north central Florida, descended from monkeys brought for a Tarzan movie in the early 1930s.
• Mannix License Plates Perilous: Don E. Edwards reported being followed and shot at after his personalized license plate, "MANNIX," attracted attention.
• Well, it could be littering of a sort: A police car discovered the skinned, decapitated body of a 300-pound animal in a Bronx intersection; no zoos reported a missing gorilla or bear.
• Pyramids Uncovered: A city of pyramids in the Mayan style was discovered in thick undergrowth on a mountain north of San Jose, Costa Rica.
• 18 objects orbit with Red craft: A West German space expert reported that 18 unidentified objects accompanied the Soviet space probe Salyut 2 into orbit, theorizing they could be test objects or experiments.
• Tons of Fish Dead in Gulf Mystery: A strange marine condition caused tons of dead fish of all types to wash ashore along the Texas coast, possibly due to a mysterious gas cloud.

Letters to the Editor

Two letters are featured:

• Fred Crisman expresses appreciation for the handling of his story in the magazine's book. He notes his long-standing interest in UFO followers and Ufologists, but has seldom responded to their inquiries due to past misinterpretations of his writings and a general disinterest in the "world out there."
• J. Mae Johnson from Illinois shares a family mystery dating back 75 years. Her grandfather, in rural Georgia during the 1800s, encountered a beautiful young woman dressed in white in a moonlit clearing. The woman approached him with outstretched arms, but he fled, fearing the consequences for a black man in that era.

Anomalies: Continued

This section, continuing from page 188, discusses the integration of anomalous processes and objects within belief systems. It suggests that anomalous processes are more commonly integrated with other anomalies and form occult systems.

The Last Word (Stendek)

This section reviews several books and articles:

• Is the Loch Ness Monster Related to UFOs? by F. W. Holiday, author of "The Great Orm of Loch Ness," suggests Nessie is a psychic apparition, drawing parallels between photographing the creature and UFOs.
• The Eternal Subject by Brinsley Le Poer Trench is a concise study of the relationship between UFOs and psychic phenomena, published in the U.S. as "Flying Saucer Mystery."
• A revised edition of "Our Haunted Planet" is announced, noted to be identical to the first except for minor changes on pages 127 and 160.
• Diffusionism Is Spreading! discusses Charles Berlitz's book "Mysteries From Forgotten Worlds," which re-examines archaeological and historical anomalies and suggests a longer human history influenced by a "super culture."
• God Drives The Flying Saucers by Bantam is mentioned, with a copy offered to the first requester.
• Cosmopolitan magazine is to feature an article on flying saucers, reviewing classic cases and recent European research.
• The results of a project at the Dept. of Health, Education, and Welfare were published on September 5, 1973, saving taxpayers twenty million dollars.

The International Fortean Organization (INFO)

INFO is presented as an organization specializing in the investigation of borderlands of science, including sea monsters, UFOs, and other strange phenomena. They publish findings in the "INFO Journal" and invite adventurous spirits to participate in their research.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores UFO phenomena, unexplained events, and Fortean topics. The editorial stance appears to be open-minded and investigative, presenting research findings, anecdotal evidence, and book reviews related to the paranormal and unexplained. There's a clear interest in statistical analysis of UFO reports, as evidenced by the focus on the "Wednesday Phenomenon," alongside reports of other strange occurrences and historical anomalies. The inclusion of letters to the editor and book reviews suggests an engagement with a community of readers interested in these subjects.