Doubt - No 12

Magazine Overview

This issue of DOUBT, The Fortean Society Magazine, No. 12, dated Spring-Summer 1944 (F.S.), is dedicated to Greta Garbo and edited by Tiffany Thayer. The cover features the title 'DOUBT' prominently, along with a stylized graphic and the price of 25c.

Key Articles and Features

Pound of Flesh

This section discusses the indictment of Ezra Pound for treason, criticizing the press for its portrayal of the charges. It asserts that Pound's 'venom' is not from radio waves but from his consistent criticism of America and Americanism over 34 years, quoting his own defiant words from 1913.

First Prize

This section highlights a report from Don Bloch about the 'spontaneous disintegration' of a carpenter named Rudolph Bogovich in Pittsburgh. Bogovich reportedly disintegrated before his colleagues, with only bits of clothing and the smell of gunpowder found as clues.

Gold Fell on Ala.

This report details the discovery of 'gold bricks' near Eufaula, Alabama, etched with the date 1705. While a banker valued them at $7500, a geologist suggested they were copper or brass. The section also touches upon the debated weight of the human soul, citing Bernard Duffy.

More About Food

This section touches upon a bee disease originating from America and the potential impact of poisons on honey. It also mentions a belief among British organic gardeners that 'hoof and mouth disease' in cattle may be linked to chemical fertilizers. A new tree disease affecting citrus in California is also noted.

Johnny Appleseed

This brief item encourages readers to plant apple and peach seeds in the ground, suggesting they will grow without attention and asking for updates on their progress.

Blood on the Moon

Reports a phenomenon where the moon over Miami was observed as 'blood red' on May 7, 1944, with the official explanation being 'smoke'.

Aerial Explosion

Describes windows rattling and a 'broad flash of light, accompanied by a blast' reported in Oklahoma on November 27, 1943. It also mentions a mysterious release of tear gas in North London.

Giles Grist

This section compiles various unusual reports from MFS Giles, including a priest's death attributed to lightning after swimming in a lake, assertions that dogs commit suicide from boredom, and details of a PAA clipper's windshield being shattered by a bird at 6000 feet. It also notes a man's dream of a plane crash that eerily mirrored a real event.

St. George and the Dragon

This lengthy feature delves into the identity of 'St. George', inspired by a donation of books. It reveals that 'St. George' was a pseudonym used by M. P. Malter, who was the deceased husband of Mrs. Malter. The actual author was George H. Malter, Sr. The section introduces 'Stuart X', Mrs. Malter's second husband, described as a writer and a unique personality, who claims to be the greatest man ever produced. The Fortean Society's interest lies in preserving 'St. George's' unpublished manuscripts.

Graydon's Table

This section presents a 'Periodic Table and a Skipping Process' by Thomas H. Graydon. The author claims this table uniquely satisfies all relationships between chemical behaviors. However, Norris W. Rakestraw, editor of the Journal of Chemical Education, rejected it for publication, deeming it not particularly helpful.

Saturday Blasts

Reports inexplicable 'blasts' occurring on successive Saturdays in Louisville, Kentucky.

Checking Lonc

MFS Donald Brazier's work on the 'Lonc Constant' is discussed, relating it to the 'golden section' and human evolution. Brazier's measurements of women are presented, with a Lonc constant of 1.556.

Is This Kosher?

This item questions John J. O'Neill's decision to publish Cornelius O'Connor's new solar-system theory in his Hertrib Science column, suggesting it might be stealing Fortean thunder and could lead to backlash from established astronomical publications.

Proof

This section discusses the destruction of the German prison camp at Belsen, noting it was a sanitary measure to eliminate stench. It also touches upon the possibility of the horror stories of World War II being exaggerated, similar to those of World War I.

The State is a Pimp

Critiques the State's licensing of marriage as a form of pandering and notes the imposition of the 'Rh factor' test as a new medical racket.

Tonsils and Polio

Poses questions about the relationship between tonsils and polio, asking for statistics on tonsil removal among polio patients and whether tonsillectomized individuals are more susceptible.

Campbell Keeps Coming

Features letters from MFS Jack Campbell, written from a San Francisco hospital. One letter describes an experience where the flash of a ship's gun preceded the sound, challenging the writer's scientific beliefs.

Sorry, No Atlantis

Reports that Dr. George Clapp Vaillant, director of the U of Pennsylvania museum, states that Atlantis never existed.

Cover-Up or Mystery?

Discusses an explosion at the Mattson residence in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts, suggesting the AP dispatch might be garbled to cover up for the military or due to ignorance. The possibility of a 'flare bomb' is raised.

Fireballs

Reports sightings of fireballs on the West Coast off Playa del Rey and over Pasadena, California, noting that astronomers at Mt. Wilson and Griffith Observatories had no record of them. It also mentions a fireball over Philadelphia, described as a 'bolide', with a curator of minerals and meteorites offering commentary on meteorite falls.

An MFS Prophet

Highlights a booklet of interpretation and prophecy by E. Tappan Tannatt, based on the 'Book of Daniel'.

Its Ugly Head

Discusses the postponement of a Fortean excursion into the spirit realm via an analysis of the Harvard University examination of the medium Margery, citing the complexity and potential for bias in spiritist circles.

Esoteric News

Recommends an international news service, WORLDOVER PRESS, as a source of independent news operating despite censorship.

Electronic Dowser

Reports the use of a 'geo-physical device to detect ore' in Seattle to search for missing men, which indicated the Duwamish River but found no bodies.

Voice in the Wilderness

Recommends the Boise Valley Herald as an honest weekly newspaper, noting its proprietor's pride in a yellow paint smear on the print shop.

Texas Bird

Details two eyewitness accounts of a 'gigantic bird with an enormous head' with large toe-foot tracks near Possum Kingdom Dam, Texas.

15 Rocks in 3 Years

Reports that the window of a real estate office in Inglewood, California, was broken 15 times by 'vandals' in three years.

Monarchs Invade Jersey

Describes a swarm of Monarch butterflies arriving from the sea at Deal, New Jersey.

Polar Geist

Presents an explanation by anthropologist Otto Geist for the annual 'rain of frozen fish' on St. Lawrence Island, attributing it to wind picking up fish from the sea.

Pallid Datum

Reports a 'solar rainbow' described as 'border-line anemia' or 'white', observed in Malvern, England, with the explanation that the rain drops were too fine to create visible colors.

Duck Counter

Notes a report from the 'U. S. Bureau of Stars and Stripes' indicating a significant decrease in the duck population near Louisville, Kentucky.

Fish After Rain

Reports thousands of perch found alive in puddles after a rainstorm on a farm near Hillsdale, Michigan.

If You Have Tears

Discusses the case of Fred Walscher, who was 'crucified' in Chicago, and the suppression of his message. It also touches upon the use of copper and zinc bracelets for rheumatism and the term 'pyrotics' for people who catch fire.

Light on Diablo

Reports an 'intense white light' streaking across the sky from Half Moon Bay to Mount Diablo, California, which scientists suggested was not a meteor.

Seattle Stench

An unidentified odor was reported in Seattle, with similar smells noted on previous occasions.

Sex in Uniform

Mentions the extraction and reprinting of a section from the book 'Sex in Wartime' by MFS Harry Benjamin, M.D., titled 'The Sex Problem in the Armed Forces'.

12-Foot Ape

Discusses the belief in a 12-foot ape in Brazil, with reports of cattle being slain, 'terrific roars' heard, and ape-shaped footprints found.

For Mothers Day (Delayed)

Shares a humorous anecdote about a mother's passing and the opening of pearly gates.

Unique Birth

Reports a unique birth in Los Angeles where a child formed entirely apart from its mother's reproductive organs. It also mentions a 25-year-old woman carrying a child for 375 days, setting a new record for gestation.

Unlicensed Nursery Home Fire

Details the tragic fire at an unlicensed nursery home in Auburn, Maine, where 16 babies and one adult perished, reflecting on the circumstances that led to the tragedy.

Subscribe

Encourages subscriptions to 'American Notes and Queries', a monthly publication filling a need for exchange of data among the learned and curious.

Democracy Not Enough

Recommends two books by Scott Nearing: 'United World' and 'Democracy is Not Enough', suggesting they offer sound advice on politics.

Zev Copes' Jeep

Recounts the story of Zev Copes' invention of an amphibious jeep and the expiration of his patent, while the U.S. began producing similar vehicles.

Cosmic Causation

Introduces a map by MFS Paul Councel titled 'The Heavens and the Earth', which suggests a connection between polar motion, equinoxes, and time/space displacement, proposing that the Arctic Circle will arrive at New York City in 1500 years.

Helena's Record

Notes a high frequency of earthquakes in Helena, Montana, with 52 quakes in 40 days and 2,775 tremors since October 1935.

New Paper

Introduces 'The Round Robin', a mimeographed bulletin by N. Meade Layne for students of psychic research and parapsychology, which speaks highly of The Fortean Society.

Gillette Verified

Discusses the verification of George F. Gillette's theory that light travels in spirals and can rotate matter, a concept previously published by Gillette but now announced as a new discovery by Dr. Felix Ehrenhaft.

Replies

This section addresses Fortean correspondence, including a discussion on occultations of planets by Luna and the scientific value assigned to such phenomena. It also touches upon the use of copper and zinc bracelets for rheumatism and the term 'pyrotics'.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently highlights unexplained phenomena, scientific anomalies, and curiosities that fall outside mainstream understanding. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards established authorities and a promotion of independent inquiry and the collection of unusual data, aligning with the Fortean tradition of investigating the unexplained. There is a clear emphasis on questioning conventional explanations and presenting alternative perspectives or simply documenting the inexplicable.

This issue, titled 'MORE NOTES of CHARLES FORT', presents a compilation of unusual events and phenomena, primarily focusing on the 1830s, alongside contemporary commentary and advertisements. The publication is attributed to The Fortean Society and appears to be from 1935, continuing the legacy of Charles Fort's work in documenting anomalies.

Catalog of Anomalous Events (1833-1835)

The core of the magazine consists of a detailed, chronological listing of various phenomena, presented as 'Box 1' and 'Box A' entries. These include:

• Meteorological Events: Descriptions of unusual weather, such as heavy rains, fog, hailstorms, and even a 'dry fog' in Afghanistan that obscured the sun for three days. There are also accounts of meteors, fireballs, and a 'shaft of light' observed in the sky.
• Geological Events: Numerous reports of earthquakes, ranging from mild tremors to severe shocks that caused significant damage, such as part of a mountain sinking in Java and a town in Chile ceasing to exist. Volcanic activity is also prominently featured, with detailed accounts of eruptions from Vesuvius, Cosequina in Mexico, and other volcanoes in Central America and the Andes.
• Zoological Phenomena: Reports of unusual animal behavior or occurrences, including a 'shower of little toads' and tadpoles in France, and the fall of mussels and frogs in Pittsburgh.
• Atmospheric and Auditory Phenomena: Accounts of strange sounds, including loud rumbling, hissing, and detonations, often associated with quakes or meteors. There are also mentions of unusual atmospheric conditions like suffocating air and a 'suffocating' sunset.
• Other Anomalies: The catalog includes a 'poltergeist' event in Suffolk, England, and a 'luminous object' sighted in Oswego, New York.

Commentary and Analysis

The Crosse Experiments

The issue references Mrs. Crosse's book, detailing her experiments with electrically charged plates in chemical solutions that allegedly produced 'cheesemites' of an unusual species, some with varying numbers of legs. The author notes the potential for contamination but highlights the unusual growth cycle and leg diversity of the mites, questioning if Crosse was a precursor to modern geneticists.

J. W. Dunne's 'An Experiment With Time'

J. W. Dunne's work is critiqued for its logical inconsistencies and 'propagandistic effort'. However, it is acknowledged for its potential to inspire new thought trails, particularly in dream interpretation, suggesting a parallel with the academic pursuits of psychology and parapsychology.

Parapsychology at Duke University

A significant portion of the commentary focuses on parapsychology research at Duke University, particularly the work of Professor J. B. Rhine. The article satirically describes experiments involving dice-throwing and 'psychokinesis' (termed 'teroochie-English' by the author), criticizing the academic legitimacy of such studies and their potential to be seen as mere 'crap-shooting'. The author highlights a newspaper report by John J. O'Neill of the Herald-Tribune, which discussed experiments where a 'girl' allegedly influenced dice rolls, and mentions similar card tests conducted at Queen Mary College, London.

The Extravagance of Indian Princes

An article titled 'The Truth About INDIA' by Kanhayalal Gauba (continued from a previous issue) critically examines the financial affairs of Indian Princes. It contrasts their claims of modest spending and focus on subjects' welfare with figures suggesting exorbitant privy purses and palace expenditures, far exceeding those of European monarchs. The author cites specific examples, comparing the Nizam of Hyderabad's income to that of the King Emperor and other European rulers, and argues that Indian Princes appropriate a disproportionately large share of their states' revenues without the consent of their people, operating under a system of hereditary autocracy.

Legal Opposition to Fortune-Telling

Briefly mentioned is a bill proposed in the California State Assembly to prohibit practices like palmistry, phrenology, and clairvoyance. The Fortean Society is noted as being 'unalterably opposed' to such legislation.

Advertisements

The final page features advertisements for:

• The Books of Charles Fort: A collection of his major works, including 'The Book of the Damned', 'New Lands', 'Lo!', and 'Wild Talents', offered as a 'PERFECT GIFT' for 'Graduation'.
• WORLD EVENTS: A publication by Scott Nearing, described as independent and fearless, analyzing world events. Nearing is noted as having been fired from four university faculties during WWI for teaching facts.
• RAPED AGAIN: An advertisement for Chakotin's 'RAPE OF THE MASSES', presented as a 'living, working blue-print' for gaining domination and enslaving peoples, used by politicians and demagogues. This book is available from The Fortean Society.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the documentation of anomalous phenomena (Fort's primary focus), a critical examination of established scientific and academic pursuits (particularly parapsychology), and a critique of power structures and financial impropriety (exemplified by the discussion on Indian Princes and the advertisement for 'Rape of the Masses'). The editorial stance, as inferred from the commentary, is skeptical of conventional explanations for unusual events, critical of academic institutions that may compromise intellectual integrity for funding or social acceptance, and supportive of individual freedom against perceived oppressive systems, whether governmental or societal.