Doubt - No 21

Magazine Overview

DOUBT Magazine, No. 21

This issue of DOUBT, the Fortean Society Magazine, edited by Tiffany Thayer, is dated "1931 A D = the year 1 F S," indicating its unique chronological system. The cover features the bold title "doubt" and a striking illustration, hinting at the magazine's focus on the unusual and unexplained. The price is 25c.

First Prize Anecdotes

The magazine presents several intriguing anecdotes that won first prize, showcasing the breadth of Fortean interests:

1. Invisible Man Ad: An advertisement from the Washington, D.C., Times-Herald (1-28-18 FS) sought anyone who had seen a man become invisible eight years prior, on May 3, 1940.
2. Plato and Christ's Thought Waves: Alvin G. Pack, executive VP of the Intermountain Radio Network, suggested that the "thought waves" of Christ and Plato might still be traveling the earth and could be recorded.
3. Mysterious Death: In Elizabeth, Pa., the death of Mrs. Catherine Sulinski was investigated by a doctor who found her dead, fully clothed, with a gun beside her, but no signs of blood or a bullet hole, baffling detectives.

Other notable submissions include a column by James Wellard about an 85-year-old frog doctor announcing that TB is not contagious, and a report on the invisible man ad being investigated.

Russell's Contributions

Russell offers two compelling items:

1. The Flying Schoolgirl: The story of Mary Ann Bailey, 16, who was killed on February 23, 1911, in Bradford, England. She was seen flying 30 feet in the air during a gale before falling and dying two hours later. This story was resurrected by Alan Tomkins.
2. Atomic Energy and Dating Bones: Dr. F. R. Eggan of the American Anthropological Association at Albuquerque suggested on January 2, 1948, that atomic energy research might one day help date ancient human bones.

Other Notable Submissions

Several other submissions are highlighted:

1. Gold Shipment to Saudi Arabia: John Sexton, writing in the Montreal Herald (4-30-48 old style), reported that five truckloads of gold, valued at over $5,000,000, were shipped from Montreal to Saudi Arabia by plane, possibly for oil or "friendship."
2. UNOX and Wetter Water: Oliver T. Sanbord, fire chief of Portland, Me., told "fire-fighting scientists" that the Carbide and Carbon Chemicals Corporation was selling UNOX, a substance to make water wetter.
3. Compiling Official Histories: An editorial from the News Syndicate Company, Inc., noted that historians from the U.S., Britain, Canada, and Australia met in the Pentagon Building to compile official histories of World War II, which the magazine sarcastically suggests is to "compare notes so they could all tell the same lie."

FANTASTICS: The Checklist of Fantastic Literature

This section reviews "THE CHECKLIST OF FANTASTIC LITERATURE / a Bibliography of Fantasy, Weird, and Science Fiction Books Published in the English Language." The review notes that the editor and compiler is MFS Bleiler, and the publisher is MFS Korshak. It highlights that many members of the Fortean Society are represented in the bibliography and that it is a valuable resource for collectors and readers of fantastic literature.

DISC DIRT: UFO Sightings and Reports

This section continues the discussion on "disc" or "disk" phenomena, referencing the death of Thomas F. Mantell, Jr. It notes the confusion in reports from various sources like OSS, Harvard, and Science Service. Several incidents are detailed:

• A "meteorite" reportedly fell on a brush-covered lot in East Los Angeles (7-24-47 old style), causing a fire.
• A "meteor the size of an egg or marble" burst over Washington, D.C. (12-14-47 old style), with a flash of blue.
• A "fireball" struck and damaged a plane in midair between London and Lisbon (2-22-48 old style).
• A "flash-blast" was reported over the San Gabriel Valley (Calif.) (2-22-48 old style), described as blinding with a blast like an earthquake.
• A "flare-blast" similar to the one in California occurred over the San Gabriel Valley on April 2, 1948.
• Mysterious lights were seen over Lake Huron on three successive evenings in March 1948.
• A "big ball of blue flame" exploded over Moose Factory, Ontario, followed by a streak of orange light.

The section also includes a letter from "Jack Martin" in the Oakland Tribune questioning the lack of follow-up reporting on a "meteor blast" that rocked towns in three states.

Russian Questions

The magazine poses several questions to its readers regarding life and taxation in the Soviet Union, seeking information from any members with active correspondents there. The questions include:

1. Does the State impose a tax upon incomes?
2. Are taxes hidden in the sales prices of commodities?
3. Is gum chewing prevalent?
4. Could DOUBT be printed and distributed in the Soviet Union?

BOOMS – NO CLUES

This section lists several unexplained explosions and sounds reported in various locations:

• Linden, Ohio (8-14-47): A blast rocked a house at night.
• Waterville, Me. (12-8-47): A "terrific explosion" occurred around 10:30 p.m.
• Three Tree Point, Seattle (12-27-47): A "mysterious explosion" accompanied by the odor of gunpowder.
• Los Angeles (1-19-48): A "blast" blew a man out of his living room chair.
• Hamilton, Ont. (2-1-48): Multiple explosions and "rock slides" were reported, with the third explosion affecting the local seismograph.
• Moline, Ill. (4-9-18 FS): Heavy damage and broken windows attributed to a "bomb-like ball lightning bolt."

NEW MAG: FATE

A new quarterly magazine called FATE is introduced, described as a "new property of the Palmer-Shaver crowd in Chicago." The editorial is signed by Robert N. Webster. The review notes that MFS Gaddis has several articles in it and that the magazine appears to have a "Fortean Tinge."

METAPHYSICS BECOMES MAGIC

This section, written by MFS Ernest W. Brady, discusses the popular aversion to metaphysics, which he terms "Metaphysicophobia." Brady argues that "philosophic priesthood" attempts to discredit metaphysics by associating it with delusion and impracticality. He criticizes the tendency to idolize specific elements or facets of reality (Gadget-Worship) and suggests that Western thought has declined, but a "sturdy ascent" is also occurring.

Brady elaborates on the philosophical ideas of Immanuel Kant and Ernest Belfort Bax, emphasizing the importance of the "Primal Subject (Man)" and the "Categories" (Sense Forms of Time and Space, and Causation) in understanding reality. He posits that Man is the creator of his own experience and that the universe is a magical creation where Man is the central figure. This new outlook, he argues, restores wonder and awe, offering a "Magic Show of Cosmic magnitude."

HI IN THE MIDDLE: Little Known Facts About Ohio

A 15-page booklet titled "Little Known Facts About Ohio" has been compiled by MFS Whitacre. The magazine notes that while a small first edition was printed, copies are available from the Society for $1.00.

LAND DROPS

An incident near Greenboro, Florida, where eight acres of land reportedly dropped 60 feet after continuous heavy rains, is attributed by the State Geologist to water eating out underlying limestone.

LIVING GENIUS: Ernst Fuhrmann

This section introduces Ernst Fuhrmann, described as an "authentic genius, entirely unsung in this country." Fuhrmann, who has been a Fortean Society member since its inception, has published extensively in Germany since 1926, with magazines like "Zwiefel" (DOUBT) and "Auriga." His work critically examines history, philology, and biology. Two of his books, "Das Tier in der Religion" (1922) and "Der Sinn im Gegenstand" (1923), are mentioned. Fuhrmann's two pet theories, detailed in 60 unpublished volumes, propose that all languages were once one (a precursor to Algonquin Indian languages) and that all life traces back to the hydra. The magazine presents Fuhrmann's work as a "serious Fortean problem and a challenge."

CRITTERS AND TRACKS

Reports of unusual animal sightings and tracks are included:

• Seattle: A "huge black bear with a dog following it" was seen, which then disappeared.
• Clearwater, Fla.: "Monstrous 3-toed tracks" were found on the beach, resembling those of a sea turtle but much larger. The trail led out of the Gulf of Mexico.
• Cherokee County, South Carolina: "Huge tracks" nine or ten inches long with four toes and long claws were reported, similar to those made by a "flat-footed animal."

FORTEAN LOSS: Harry Price

MFS Harry Price, known for his investigations into ghosts and "Gef, the talking mongoose," died at age 67. The magazine solicits reminiscences from his associates, Honorary Founder Hereward Carrington and MFS Nandor Fodor.

MFS SHEELEY WRITES: Mysterious Chimes

This section condenses news items from the Portland Oregonian concerning "mysterious 'chimes'" heard at a rooming house at 550 Everett St., Portland, Oregon, in September 1923. The sounds were described as like an electric bell but more musical, ringing at specific times. Police investigations were baffled, with theories ranging from mischievous boys to radio waves. The mystery was eventually "solved" by radio expert Saul Emmanuel, who attributed the sounds to the peculiar acoustics of the house amplifying distant sounds, possibly from a doorbell in another house.

MAN IN JAIL

This brief section touches on the Society's correspondence with prisoners and its support for conscientious objectors. It mentions Robert Stroud, author of a book on bird diseases, and encourages readers to order his "Digest."

WHAT EVER BECAME OF Tyler Kent?

A question is posed about the fate of Tyler Kent.

PAGING MENCKEN

This section notes that Time magazine featured two ministers who doubt the historicity of Jesus Christ, stating they do not believe he ever lived on earth.

SPECIAL GUEST: MFS Ten Broeck

A delegation of Forteans is greeting MFS Ten Broeck from Bombay, India, who is visiting Los Angeles and New York. Ten Broeck is the proprietor of the International Book House in Bombay and has contributed "Forteana" to the archives.

FU: University Fund

This section acknowledges contributions to the University fund and mentions the first student to matriculate, MFS Oltcher. It notes that three vacant chairs were tentatively filled.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently exhibits a critical stance towards conventional science, government pronouncements, and established historical narratives. It champions the work of Charles Fort and promotes a skeptical, questioning approach to unexplained phenomena. The editorial tone is often ironic and challenging, encouraging readers to think independently and question authority. Themes of anomalous events, scientific fallibility, and the search for underlying truths pervade the issue. The magazine also highlights the Fortean Society's community and its efforts to document and analyze unusual occurrences globally.

This issue of DOUBT magazine, identified as issue number 16, published around October 20, 1947, delves into a wide array of unusual phenomena, coincidences, and purported anomalies. The content is presented in a dense, text-heavy format, characteristic of Charles Fort's archival approach, with numerous short entries cataloging events from historical periods, primarily focusing on the mid-19th century and the 1940s. The magazine is published by The Fortean Society and priced at $1.00.

Key Articles and Reports

Explosions and Anomalous Events

The issue begins with reports of significant explosions, including one at an ammunition dump in Savanna, Illinois, on January 22, 1947, which reportedly shook a 30,000-square-mile area. It also briefly mentions two dumps exploding in Switzerland. A curious celestial event, the 'Blue Moon,' is noted for December 20, 1947, observed in Wales and England, with various observers attributing it to eye perception or historical volcanic events like Krakatoa.

Vandalism and Superstition

Reports of vandalism targeting gravestones are detailed, with incidents in San Bernardino, California, on December 7 and 8, 1946, and in Fairview Cemetery, Altoona, Pennsylvania, on December 14, 1946, where tombstones, some weighing up to 1200 pounds, were upset. The magazine then pivots to the theme of superstition, referencing a headline about 'Millions Paid Yearly to Foster Old Superstitions.' John R. Saunders, associate curator of education at the American Museum of Natural History, is quoted criticizing the waste of money on charms. The issue also notes the Atlanta police's investigation into local voodoo practices in January 1948, involving the arrest of a charm purveyor named James Ford.

Medical Anomalies and Belief

An article touches upon the concept of psychosomatic healing, referencing a report from Dr. A. Morton Gill in 'Lancet' who claimed to have 'cured' twenty cases of stomach ulcer with distilled water, attributing the success to the patient's belief. This is juxtaposed with a tragic report of Mrs. Martha Mahela Mullins and her nine children in West Virginia who allegedly died thirty minutes after a religious rite involving drinking poison to prove their faith.

The 'Cycle Racket'

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to what it terms the 'Cycle Racket,' focusing on the popularization of 'cycle' theories in prediction, particularly concerning economic cycles. It references articles and publications, including a book by Dewey and Dakin, and mentions T. Townsend Brown's work on 'sidereal radiation' and its relationship to the stock market. The magazine expresses skepticism, quoting a review of the Dewey-Dakin book stating that 'Until the study of cycles becomes as exact as astronomy, their true cause can hardly be guessed at.' It also critiques the commercial backing and 'public relations' efforts behind these theories, suggesting they serve to misguide the public and benefit commercial interests.

Coincidences and Anomalous Phenomena

• Under the heading 'Coincidences?', the magazine lists a series of seemingly unrelated but striking events:
• An unnamed Spanish freighter found crewless on November 18, 1946, followed by another Spanish freighter, the SS Loy, also found crewless a week later.
• A periodic 'river' in Caterham Valley, London, known as 'Woe Water,' flowed during significant historical periods, including the Great Plague, World War I, and a typhoid epidemic.
• A well in Death Valley, California, became a gusher on January 16, 1948, flowing 57,600 gallons of water per day.
• A pond in Meriden, Warwickshire, England, repeatedly dried up and refilled between January 13 and 18, 1947.
• In Santa Ana, California, 24 doctors refused to attend an emergency call on January 2-3, 1948, leading to a death.
• A baby died on the mayor's desk in Minneapolis on January 20, 1948, twelve hours after being deemed not sick enough at a hospital.
• Theatre ceilings collapsed simultaneously in Monterey, Mexico, and Kansas City, Kansas, on April 1, 1948, causing injuries and fatalities.

The Missing Point

This section questions the motive behind a story concerning Colonel Maurice Sheahan, who claimed to have seen and photographed a pyramid in China larger than any in Egypt. The report, sent via UP from Shanghai on March 28, 1947, is contrasted with a subsequent announcement from the Provincial government in Shensi, China, declaring the discovery of a giant pyramid groundless after an investigation. The magazine also notes the reporting of four small pyramids found in Mexico on January 26, 1948, without immediate denial.

MFS Clouser Writes: Telepathy and Birthmarks

An extended piece by MFS Clouser explores the possibility of 'old wives' tales' about mothers 'marking' their babies. Clouser proposes a hypothesis that birthmarks might be psychosomatically induced in the embryo or fetus, triggered by telepathic projection of the mother's mental state. Citing experiments by Upton Sinclair ('Mental Radio') and Dr. J. Hettinger ('Psychometric Telepathy'), Clouser argues for the substantial evidence of telepathy. The hypothesis is presented as a 'perfectly practical research problem' by Dr. Gardner Murphy of the University of California. Clouser suggests that obstetricians could collect statistical data on birthmarks and mothers' emotional states during pregnancy.

Charles Fort's Notes

• The latter part of the magazine features transcriptions of Charles Fort's MSS notes, starting from the year 1800 AD. These notes are presented chronologically, with entries detailing various phenomena such as meteors, quakes, unusual rains (including 'manna' and 'blood rain'), animal falls (frogs, birds), and electrical phenomena. The notes are organized into 'Box A' (records of persons) and 'Box 2' (records of non-human phenomena), alternating between them. Examples include:
• Angelique Cottin, 'The Electric Girl,' in 1846, exhibiting unusual physical interactions with objects.
• Reports of meteors, including a brilliant meteor over London in 1840 and numerous others cataloged by date and location.
• Descriptions of 'manna' falling in Wilna (Lithuania) in 1846, described as a gelatinous, fibrous substance.
• Reports of volcanic activity and auroras, such as Hecla volcano in Iceland producing vivid streaks of aurora borealis.
• Unusual weather events, including dust storms, hailstorms, and violent thunderstorms.
• Reports of animal falls, such as frogs falling in the Humber River, England, and birds falling during dust storms.

Advertisements

The final page contains advertisements for books and publications, including 'The Drayson Problem,' 'America NEEDS Indians,' 'Chakotin's RAPE OF THE MASSES,' and 'The Books of CHARLES FORT' (a four-volume compilation). It also promotes 'Progressive World,' a Freethought-Progressive Magazine.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of DOUBT are the cataloging of anomalous phenomena, the questioning of conventional explanations, and the exploration of the unusual and unexplained. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical of established scientific and societal norms, championing the investigation of events that fall outside ordinary understanding. There is a strong emphasis on presenting raw data and anecdotal evidence, encouraging readers to draw their own conclusions, while simultaneously highlighting potential biases and commercial influences in mainstream reporting and scientific inquiry. The magazine appears to serve as an archive for the unexplained, a continuation of Charles Fort's work in documenting the strange occurrences that often go unnoticed or are dismissed by conventional sources.