Dead of Night - No 01 - 1994

Magazine Overview

Title: DEAD OF NIGHT
Issue: 1
Date: September 1994
Publisher: Quinta-Essensia
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This is the inaugural issue of 'Dead Of Night', a fanzine aiming to explore "ALL realms of what we might term, for want of a better description, 'Strange Phenomena'." The magazine is edited by Lee Walker, with S Griffiths serving as Editorial Assistant. It is published by Quinta-Essensia at 156 Bolton Rd. East, New Ferry, Wirral, with a contact telephone number of (051) 644 7095. The cover illustration is by Lee Walker.

'Dead of Night Magazine does not subscribe to any one belief system. All views are welcome.' Contributions are encouraged and should be sent to the published address. The magazine promises to cover a vast array of topics, including ghosts, weather anomalies, corn circles, occult crimes, vanishing people, and falls of animate and inanimate objects, among many others.

Special Features

The Eilean Mor Lighthouse Mystery

This feature delves into the enigmatic disappearance of three lighthouse keepers from the Eilean Mor lighthouse in the Flannan Isles in December 1900. The article recounts how the light went out on the evening of December 15th, and subsequent investigations found the lighthouse empty, with no signs of struggle, but with stocked provisions and clean living quarters. Peculiarities included unidentified seaweed found on the stairs and in an office, and the absence of oilskins and sea-boots, suggesting the keepers left together. The logbook entries detail a severe storm on December 12th, with Ducat being irritable and MacArthur crying, and on December 13th, Ducat praying and MacArthur and the narrator also praying. The final entry on December 15th states, 'Storm ended, sea calm. God is over all'. The article notes that while the log reported gales, no such storm was experienced on the nearby island of Lewis, leading to speculation about shared visions. The official verdict was that the keepers may have panicked and tried to swim to the mainland, drowning in the process. However, local opinion suggested the islands were haunted or accursed. The article draws a parallel to the mystery of the 'Marie Celeste', concluding that the keepers vanished without trace, only to reappear in folklore and superstition.

A Step Back In Time

This article poses the question: "Did two English teachers re-visit 18th Century France?" The content for this feature is not detailed on the cover or contents page, but it is listed as a special feature.

Spring Heeled Jack's Last Stand?

This feature promises "The anatomy of a real-life bogeyman." The cover art prominently features 'Spring Heeled Jack', indicating this is a key topic for the issue.

The Opener of the Ways

This article explores the question: "Were the ancient Egyptians trying to re-create Heaven on Earth?" It is presented as a special feature.

A Carnival of Monsters...Part 1 of a Special Pull Out

This indicates the beginning of a special pull-out section dedicated to monsters.

Regular Features

Editorial

The editorial welcomes readers to the first issue of 'Dead Of Night'. The editor, Lee Walker, explains the fanzine's mission to explore "Strange Phenomena" and mentions his and the assistant editor Steve's lifelong interest in subjects often dismissed as nonsense. He references similar publications like 'The Fortean Times' and 'The Unexplained'. He then provides examples of phenomena the magazine will cover, including ghosts, weather anomalies, corn circles, and occult crimes, giving brief, often graphic, anecdotes for each. He touches upon vanishing people and falls of objects, and then lists an extensive array of other topics such as UFOs, vampires, werewolves, urban mythology, yetis, armageddon warnings, demonology, angel lore, faeries, ley lines, conspiracies, the Bermuda Triangle, ancient astronauts, archaeological anomalies, men in black, and even talking animals and reincarnation. The editorial concludes with a quote from Prefab Sprout's 'Looking For Atlantis'.

Reflections in a Golden Eye

This section is subtitled "Unexplained Phenomena In The 20th Century". The introduction states that this is an "admittedly flawed attempt to chronicles as many strange events as possible on a year-by-year basis beginning naturally enough with 1900 and working on through to (assuming we're still here) the end of millenium." The editor acknowledges the vastness of the subject and the impossibility of cataloguing every snippet. He also notes that reports can be tainted by the author's bias or imagination. The series aims to bring attention to the "wealth of unexplained mysteries" that challenge science and reality, quoting Charlie Fort: "These are examples of the magic that surrounds everyday life."

Time's Dark Laughter

This feature presents "A selection of recent weird and wonderful press cuttings." It appears to be a collection of unusual news items.

The Road of Dreams as Mirrors

This section offers "A bunch of classic Cosmic Jokes."

Next Issue

The next issue is previewed to include features on "HALLOWEEN" (customs and superstitions), "The Ship On The Mountain (Has The Ark been found?)", and "Strange Phenomena Of 20th Century Part 2", along with regular features.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine's stance is clearly stated: "Dead of Night Magazine does not subscribe to any one belief system. All views are welcome." This suggests an open-minded approach to investigating a wide range of unexplained phenomena, from the legendary (Spring Heeled Jack) to the historical (Eilean Mor mystery) and the potentially paranormal. The editorial emphasizes the vastness and intriguing nature of these mysteries, framing them as a source of magic in everyday life. The inclusion of diverse topics like UFOs, occult crimes, and ancient mysteries indicates a broad interest in the unconventional and the unexplained.

This document presents a collection of unusual and unexplained phenomena reported in the year 1900, compiled under the title 'The Best Of The Rest Of 1900:'. It functions as a compendium of strange occurrences, drawing from various sources to detail a wide array of mysteries.

Phenomena Reports

Ghosts and Apparitions

• Sunningdale, Berkshire, England (Early February 1900): Two ladies reported seeing a 'ghost in the form of a police officer' that vanished before their eyes. The report notes the disconcerting fact of its disappearance without a trace.

Weird Winged Creatures

• Leeds, Yorkshire, England (Date Unknown): The report details the bizarre tale of a 'Winged Cat' named 'Thomas Bessie', born in a Leeds workhouse. It gained fame in a travelling sideshow before being tracked down by a workhouse official. The creature's wings are described as 'Malformations of its rib structure', and it is noted that it was never able to actually fly. Researcher John Keel is mentioned in relation to similar cases.
• Ontario, Canada (Date Unknown): A case is mentioned where a 'Winged Cat' was seen 'sailing' and making gliding jumps of fifty or sixty feet, staying a foot or so above the ground. The cat was later shot, and an exhumation by an 'expert' found it to be 'Just an ordinary cat with growths of thick, matted hair'.

Falls of Organic Matter

• Wallingford, Oxfordshire, England (April 1st): A fall of dried Beech leaves occurred from a clear blue sky, from a great height. The strangeness lies in the fact that there were no Beech trees for at least two miles from the area.
• Sart, Belgium (June 8th): A substance smelling 'quite a bit like glue' rained down on the city, with no explanation forthcoming.
• Providence, Rhode Island, USA (May 15th): During a severe thunderstorm, a variety of fish, including Perch, fell onto backyards and city streets in their hundreds.
• Buffalo, New York, USA (Date Unknown): A group of boys found small fishes in abundance in rain puddles after a heavy shower, leading to the conclusion they fell from the sky.
• Warwick, Queensland, Australia (Date Unknown): There was a fall of a species of fish called Gudgeon upon the town.

Unexplained Disappearances

• Augusta Mills, USA (June): Sherman Church entered a cotton mill and was never seen again.
• Isle of Man (Date Unknown): A classic case of premonition is recounted concerning Mrs. J. George's grandmother, who dreamed her granddaughter Dorothy would drown in a boat accident. The warning prevented Dorothy from going on the trip, but two other occupants of the boat did drown when it capsized during a squall. The grandmother later provided a detailed description of the house and its surroundings, despite never having visited the island.
• Eilean Mor (Date Unknown): Mention is made of a Lighthouse Keeper who vanished without trace, similar to the Lighthouse Keepers of Eilean Mor.

Strange Objects and Phenomena

• North Morton, Oxfordshire, England (July 20th): A 'perfectly preserved toad' was found inside a skull buried beneath a local church.
• Sandwood, Sutherland, Scottish Highlands (Date Unknown): Alexander Gun reported seeing a Mermaid, and his dog howled mournfully upon seeing the entity.
• Lough Auna, Ireland (Date Unknown): A woman saw what she described as a 'Horse-eel' emerge from the lake and climb onto the turf bank.
• Boshof, South Africa (Date Unknown): A family of Boers experienced a poltergeist disturbance for three consecutive nights, with noises of pots, pans, and crockery being hurled around, though nothing was ever harmed.
• Turin, Italy (November 15th/December 7th): A 'fairly serious outbreak of 'Noisy Spirit' mania' occurred in an inn cellar for three weeks, involving bottles being thrown around.
• Telemark, Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland (August 21st): An unnamed man was reportedly knocked 'outta his socks' by a 'spate of the mysterious ol' Ball Lightning'.

Big Hairy Monster Sightings

• British Columbia, Canada (Date Unknown): A timber cruiser named Mike King reported the first 'BIGFOOT' sighting this century in the state, observing a 'Big Hairy Monster washing roots'. Albert Ostman's encounter in 1924 is also referenced.
• Killdeer Mountains, North Dakota, USA (Date Unknown): A group of people saw a 'Gorilla-like animal' running towards them, which then turned and raced off, leaving 'man-like tracks'.

Out-of-Place Animals

• May's Landing, New Jersey, USA (Date Unknown): A Kangaroo was seen by farm owners, and was heard uttering terrifying screams. Strange animal tracks were found leading to a nearby swamp.

Cosmic Joker/Coincidence

• Monza, Italy (July 20th): King Umberto I of Italy encountered a restaurant proprietor who looked exactly like him, shared the same birthday, and had married a woman with the same name as the King's wife. The restaurant had also opened on the day the King was crowned. The proprietor was later killed in a mysterious shooting accident, and the King himself was shot dead by an anarchist shortly after.
• Galveston Island, Texas, USA (September): Canadian actor Charles Francis Coghlan died in Galveston and was buried there due to the distance to his home in Prince Edward Island. Less than a year later, a hurricane flooded the cemetery, releasing his coffin, which floated out into the Gulf of Mexico and drifted along the coastline. Eight years later, the coffin was found by fishermen off Prince Edward Island, and Coghlan's body had returned home.

Timeslip Case

• Paris (1901): The issue includes a detailed account of a celebrated 'Timeslip' case involving two English school teachers, Miss Anne Moberley and Miss Eleanor Jourdain, who experienced a strange encounter near the Petit Trianon in Versailles. They became lost and perceived their surroundings as two-dimensional. They encountered figures dressed in old-fashioned clothing, who appeared to be gardeners, and a man who directed them. They also saw a woman sketching and a man resembling a footman. Later, they compared notes and both felt the place might be haunted.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this compilation are the unexplained, the bizarre, and the seemingly impossible. The editorial stance appears to be one of presenting these accounts as curiosities and mysteries, often with a touch of skepticism or a call for the reader to draw their own conclusions, as seen in the 'Winged Cat' report. The publication aims to document and share these strange events from the year 1900, highlighting the enduring fascination with the unknown.

This issue of FATE magazine, identified as issue number 22, delves into the enduring mystery of 'Spring-Heeled Jack', a figure that terrorized Victorian England and beyond. The cover headline, 'SPRING HEELED JACK'S LAST STAND?', along with accompanying illustrations, sets the tone for an exploration of this enigmatic entity.

A Victorian Bogey-Man

The article begins by introducing Spring-Heeled Jack as a popular bogeyman in Victorian England, comparable to figures like 'Peg Powler' and 'Jenny Greenteeth'. Unlike modern horror characters, Jack's origins are suggested to be rooted in fact, though his true identity remains unknown. While some dismissed accounts as the work of pranksters like the Marquis of Waterford, the article posits that science and logic do not always provide answers to such mysteries.

Contemporary illustrations depict Jack as both a hero and a demonic entity impervious to bullets. His ability to leap high into the air was often attributed to springs in his boots. Early publicized encounters include that of Polly Adams, a farmer's daughter who claimed to have been assaulted by an assailant who leapt great distances, and Mary Stevens, who reported being terrorized by a figure with glowing eyes and spitting flames.

Incidents and Sightings

Several specific incidents are detailed. On February 18th, 1838, Lucy and Margaret Scales encountered a dark figure in Green Dragon Alley, who assaulted Lucy and breathed fire into her face before leaping away. Two days later, Jane Alsop was confronted by a man claiming to be a police officer, who then revealed himself in a horned helmet and skin-tight suit, spitting blue and white flames before escaping. The Duke of Wellington himself reportedly attempted to hunt down 'the fiend'.

Further accounts place Jack in Northamtonshire, Hampshire, and East Anglia in 1943, where he was described as 'the very image of the Devil himself'. A butcher from Bradford admitted to being responsible for some reports, but the only recorded fatality attributed to Jack occurred in 1845 on Jacob's Island, Bermondsey. A 13-year-old prostitute, Maria Davies, was allegedly killed by Jack, who breathed fire on her and threw her into a ditch, leading to her drowning.

Spring-Heeled Jack was also considered a candidate for the 'Devil's Footprints' that appeared in the snow in the West Country in 1855.

'A Hand As Cold And Clammy As A Corpse'

In November 1972, 'The News Of The World' reported on 'The Peckham Ghost', a figure as alarming as Spring-Heeled Jack. An incident at Aldershot Barracks in March 1877 involved a sentry who encountered a 'peculiar figure' that slapped him with 'a hand as cold and clammy as a corpse'. Rumors circulated that Jack was impervious to bullets, though it turned out the soldier had fired blanks.

Ten years later, an appearance in Oxton, Cheshire, involved a black-clad shape that rushed into a room and swept ornaments off a mantlepiece. The article references Paul Begg's cynical view that a group of young men may have wagered a large sum to impersonate Jack, questioning if this wager was indeed won.

'Spring-Heeled Jack's Last Stand?'

The article suggests Jack's final documented performance may have been on September 25th, 1904, in Everton, Merseyside, where crowds witnessed him execute tremendous leaps, reportedly exceeding 25ft, before vanishing over houses. The writer expresses doubt that this was truly his last appearance.

Mr. Begg is cited again, noting that four days prior to the Everton report, 'The Liverpool Echo' published an article about a haunted house in William Henry Street. The period also saw a man with religious mania climbing onto roofs and screaming. Beggsy suggests a combination of these factors, exaggeration, and fabrication led to the fictitious account of a Spring-Heeled Jack sighting.

Of Faeries, Demons And Cosmic Jokers

This section explores various theories about the 'real' identity of S.H.J. These include an insane practical joker, a group of pranksters, an acrobat, an energetic circus clown, or even a demented animal owner who trained a kangaroo. On the other hand, theories rooted in the supernatural are also considered, given the extraordinary feats attributed to Jack.

The article broadens the scope to include other unexplained phenomena and folklore, such as 'BEDROOM INVADERS', 'GHOSTS', 'RELIGIOUS AND MYSTICAL VISIONS', 'HALLUCIANTIONS', 'DOPPELGANGERS', 'GUARDIAN ANGELS', 'FAERIES AND DEMONS', and 'EXTRATERRESTIAL UFO OCCUPANTS'. It posits that these entities, reported throughout history, might represent a single, recurring phenomenon manifesting differently to different people.

An anecdote about a friend, Stevie Gee, who as a child saw a figure dressed as 'Batman' on a rooftop, is used to illustrate how seemingly unusual events can be interpreted differently with age and logic. The article concludes by suggesting that such sightings might be of entities not of this Earth, or perhaps a manifestation of the human psyche.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores unexplained phenomena, historical mysteries, and folklore. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, presenting various accounts and theories without definitively dismissing the possibility of supernatural or extraterrestrial explanations, while also acknowledging the potential for hoaxes and psychological factors. The recurring theme is the enduring mystery of figures like Spring-Heeled Jack, who challenge conventional scientific understanding and continue to capture the public imagination.

This issue of 'Dead Of Night' magazine, dated 1991, presents a collection of articles and news clippings focused on paranormal phenomena, unexplained events, and bizarre occurrences. The content ranges from personal anecdotes and folklore to news reports from various publications.

Spring-Heeled Jack and Personal Coincidences

The issue opens with a reflection on the 'Spring-Heeled Jack' legend, exploring various explanations for sightings, including mass hallucination or mistaken identity. The author then shares a personal account of several unsettling coincidences that occurred while researching the topic. These include finding a book on 'The Unexplained' featuring Jenny Randles, whose book also contained an illustration of 'Spring-Heeled Jack', and experiencing a foot injury that mirrored the 'Spring-Heeled Jack' theme. The author concludes by heeding a warning about the potential dangers of delving into the supernatural, quoting John Keel.

Ghosts and Apparitions: The Haunted Fire Station

A section titled 'Ghosts and Apparitions' details an archetypal tabloid account of ghostly phenomena at a fire station in West Derby, Merseyside. Firemen reported seeing apparitions, including a 'Dickensian looking man' identified by local spiritualists as Edward Wilson, who used to live on the site. The activity reportedly increased after an extension to the station unearthed an old water well. Spiritualists were called in to investigate, with one stating that the spirit was likely interested in the firemen's work and technology.

Curses and Strange Events

Under the heading 'Curses', the magazine touches upon the legend of Castle Dracula in Transylvania, reputed to be the focus of inherent evil and bad luck. This is followed by a news report about a 'Dracula Horror Trip' involving TV star Sarah Kennedy, where a director was bitten by a dog and a cameraman narrowly escaped being hit by a falling boulder.

Animal Attacks and Weird Phenomena

'Animal Attacks' highlights a news story about a family of crows attacking people in Hampstead, reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock's film 'The Birds'. Another report details a 'Puma Hunt' near Ascot, Berkshire, where police were searching for a puma-type beast. 'Strange Disappearance' mentions a mystery of the sea near the Bermuda Triangle. 'Boat Mystery' reports a businessman missing after his yacht was found adrift. 'Superstition' notes a rectory changing its street number from 666 to 668 due to parishioners' fears.

UFO Sightings and Investigations

The issue features several UFO reports. One from Hungary describes a saucer-shaped UFO escorting a truck driver and shining a green beam into his room. Another, from Westleigh, details a sighting of a bright light that changed from round to pear shape and sprouted wings. A report from Tunbridge Wells describes a man seeing a UFO with rotating red lights. The magazine also mentions John Keel's term 'Phenomenon' and its association with Wednesday sightings.

Weird Human Behaviour

This section compiles various unusual human actions. One report is about a Lithuanian farmer who killed and cooked his second wife. Another details a 'grisly cure' in Nigeria where a man was caught with human fingers to cure his brother's epilepsy. A case of 'Shamed to death' describes a Chinese couple committing suicide due to embarrassment over a wedding gift. The 'Wolf Boy' legend is updated with a story about Djuma, a boy raised by wolves in the Soviet Union, who continues to live like an animal.

Demonology and Satanism

'Demonology' discusses public hysteria and the influence of sensationalist media, particularly concerning 'Satanists' and Ritual Child Abuse cases. A news item reports on a 'SATAN Squad' set up by Scotland Yard to investigate devil-worshippers preying on children, referencing the Epping Forest Satan case.

Other Strange Reports

Additional reports include an 'Exorcism by water' where a mother died after drinking 15 pints of mineral water, a 'Lake Monster' sighting in Siberia described as a 'giant green snake', and a story about a mongrel dog named Trudi that reportedly leapt off a cliff to its death after its owner died. There's also a report on a 'Cosmic Joke' involving synchronicity and a 'Truly striking tale' of a horror story fan struck by lightning. 'Religious Phenomena' touches on the public's susceptibility to miracle cures, with a mention of a Nigerian healer claiming to cure many people. Finally, 'Weather Anomaly' notes hailstones as big as walnuts and torrential rain, and 'Tonic kills 72' reports deaths from alcohol poisoning after drinking a traditional Hindu stomach medicine.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the unexplained, the paranormal, and the bizarre. The editorial stance appears to be one of presenting these phenomena, often through news clippings and personal accounts, while also acknowledging the potential dangers of investigating the supernatural, as highlighted by the quotes from John Keel and the warnings about public hysteria. The magazine seems to embrace the idea that 'truth is stranger than fiction', showcasing a wide array of unusual events and beliefs.

This issue of UFO's, dated June 14th, presents a variety of intriguing and often bizarre news items, blending UFO-related theories with unusual real-world events.

Airship Theory on UFO Claims

The lead story, 'Airship theory on UFO claims,' explores the possibility that some reported UFO sightings are actually terrestrial airships. A birdwatcher named David Palmer from Arnold, Nottingham, claims to have spotted an unidentified craft at approximately 500ft using nightglasses on May 22nd. He described being able to make out the airship's form clearly. However, a spokesperson for the East Midlands UFO Research Organisation stated that they had contacted airship owners, none of whom had a craft flying at that time. East Midlands Airport also confirmed no airships were recorded at the time of the sightings.

Out-of-Place Animals: Octopuses Are Coming!

Another prominent feature, 'OCTOPUSES ARE COMING!', warns of an invasion of octopuses up to five feet long expected on Britain's beaches. Marine biologist Amanda Burrows of the Dorset Sealife Centre attributes this to mild winters causing an explosion in the numbers of Lesser Octopuses in the English Channel. She advises people not to touch them, as their beaks and suckers can inflict nasty injuries.

Bizarre Incidents and News Snippets

The magazine includes a collection of short, often darkly humorous, news items from various publications:

• Grease My Palm!: A 29-year-old German tourist won nearly £700,000 in a lottery after a Hong Kong palm reader correctly predicted his lucky numbers (Koblenz, Germany, January 29th, Sunday People).
• Dead Annoyed: A family in Lima, Peru, chased their 'dead' relative with crosses after discovering they had buried the wrong man (Lima, Peru, July 10th, The Scum).
• Jam Today: A census designed to cure traffic congestion caused seven-mile jams at Swindon, England (Swindon, England, July 10th, The Scum).
• Escaped Prisoner: Alan Williams, an escaped prisoner, hurled himself 40 feet from flats to evade police but landed on a police car (Plymouth, Devon, July 7th, News Of The World).
• Curses: More from the infamous Castle Dracula: This section briefly mentions the musical 'Dracula' and a series of bizarre accidents affecting its cast, including a cut wrist, a slit throat from broken glass, and broken legs. The show continues at Birmingham Repertory Theatre.
• Shark Attack: A Dutch docker in Amsterdam was taken to hospital with a fractured foot after a 5ft frozen shark fell on him from a container he was unloading (Amsterdam, Holland, October 10th, Liverpool Echo).
• Shocker for sisters: In Thailand, Yooket Pean, 57, died while showing neighbours how her sister died. Both sisters slipped, grabbed a live wire, and were electrocuted (Thailand, May, Daily Manc).
• Oh deer!: Biker Alan Collard from Yeovil, Somerset, suffered broken ribs after hitting a deer for the third time near Langton Herring (Langton Herring, Somerset, October, Daily Slur).
• Spokes Woman: Miss Helen Ironside has been appointed as the new finance controller for the North West Thames Health Authority's wheelchair services department (London, November 4th, Daily Slur).
• Romantic Nigel Dowsett: Nigel Dowsett, 32, from Portland, Dorset, accidentally set his £200,000 detached home on fire while preparing a surprise candlelit dinner for his wife, leaving two candles burning unattended (Portland, Dorset, April 5th, Daily Manc).
• Stone me Father!: A priest in Sunderland ended up in hospital with bruises after a statue of Christ, which had been loosened by vandals, fell six feet onto him (Sunderland, November 4th, Daily Manc).
• 9 Die Watching 'Suicide Bid': Nine people were killed and 13 injured when a bridge collapsed under the weight of a crowd gathered to watch a girl commit suicide in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The girl was later rescued (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, July, Daily Manc).

Historical Illustration

A final page features an illustration captioned 'REIGN OF TERROR: Spring-heeled Jack leaped out at his unsuspecting victims,' suggesting a historical or folklore element.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to have a broad interest in the unusual, the unexplained, and the bizarre. While the cover focuses on UFOs and airships, the content quickly expands to include a wide range of peculiar news events, accidents, and oddities from around the globe. The editorial stance seems to be one of reporting on strange occurrences without necessarily offering deep analysis, often relying on snippets from other publications. The inclusion of 'Out-of-Place Animals' and historical 'curses' alongside UFO reports suggests a general fascination with the unconventional and unexplained.