Doubt - No 24

Magazine Overview

Title: doubt
Issue: #24
Volume: 1931 AD (using the Fortean 13-month calendar, with 1931 AD as year 1 FS)
Issue Date: March 1949 (raw date)
Publisher: The Fortean Society
Editor: Tiffany Thayer
Country of Publication: USA
Original Language: English
Price: 50c per copy

This issue of "doubt," the Fortean Society Magazine, edited by Tiffany Thayer, presents a collection of unusual reports, observations, and speculative ideas, reflecting the Fortean interest in anomalies and unexplained phenomena. The magazine serves as a medium for members to share data and discuss topics that fall outside conventional scientific or societal understanding.

Contents and Articles

First Prize Contributions

The magazine highlights contributions from its members, awarding prizes for notable submissions. The first prize goes to a piece from the Los Angeles Daily News concerning a community chest shortfall. Second prize is awarded to Mary A. Ferguson for her observation linking current events to past disasters like Mt. Pele. Third prize is given to a psychic alum report about a 'glass-eater' found dead. Several other members are noted as close runners-up for their contributions, including a report on a meeting of mathematicians and an observation about Faye Emerson's wrist.

Specific Reports and Anecdotes

• Kerr: Contributed an account of a wrong lung being partly collapsed.
• Russell: Sent five top items, including an advertisement for a 'Fairy, good condition,' and a report about rabbits climbing trees after a river ran into a warren.
• Derbyshire Housewife: A report of a woman stung twice by wasps, becoming depressed and drowning herself.
• St. Louis Surgeons' Assembly: Dr. Arnold S. Jackson proposed legislation to iodize all salt to combat goitre and thyroid cancer.
• Sheeley: Contributed an observation about apples from a ranch in Coos Bay, Oregon.
• Goldstein: Found an editorial in the Buffalo Courier-Express discussing Congressman Hugh D. Scott's charges about U.S. submarine crew hospitalization after being depth-bombed by a U.S. Air Force plane.
• Frank McMahon: Presented a New York Times story about a memorial cemetery for Pacific war dead, suggesting a humorous alternative headline.
• Berlin: Contributed a report about 'Ectoplasmic Fire' in Murray, Utah, where an overstuffed chair was consumed by fire.
• Anonymous: Provided an 'expert-baffler' about canals and a deserted citadel on Ponape.

The Chapters

Reports from various Fortean Society chapters are included:

• Chapter Two, San Francisco: Discusses the 'Quincy incident,' the connection to Mt. Shasta cults, and mentions Oliphant's story of a man in Redding. It also notes contributions from San Leandro regarding voices and floating furniture, and the 'Bring In Dept.' items for the next meeting.
• Chapter Three, Chicago: Reports that no general meeting has been held due to lack of a hall, but members are involved in organizational conferences.

Member Correspondence and Appeals

• Will Answer Letters: Several members express a desire to correspond with others, seeking connections with like-minded individuals.
• Mrs. Judith L. Gee: Appeals for the loan of books, suggesting DOUBT could be a better medium for member exchange.

Specific Sightings and Phenomena

• SOME SAY "EAST" WIND: An undated clip from Time magazine quotes Pliny's Natural History on mares conceiving from the west wind.
• YOU ASKED FOR IT: This section details numerous reports of flying objects and phenomena:
• Near Silver Creek, Washington: Twelve witnesses to an event.
• Boone, Iowa (July 3, 1947): MFS Otis observed a 'frame' structure and a round object.
• Portland, Oregon (Aug 4, 1948): George Jensen observed an object like an 'ironing board'.
• Fresno (Oct 12): A small meteor.
• Colorado (Nov 7, 7:30 p.m.): Reports of 'meteorites' in Russell H. Piggott's yard.
• Seattle (Nov 16): A 'ball of fire' seen during a storm.
• Santa Catalina Mountains, Arizona (Nov 19): A 'night-flying saucer' reported by pilot Hugh Downs.
• Bellefontaine, Ohio (Dec 3, 7:00 p.m.): A 'wheel of fire' seen to fall into a field.
• Augusta, Maine (Dec 7): An object thought to be an airplane falling in flames.
• Nice, France (Dec 13): A 'flying saucer meteor' reported.
• Great Falls, Montana (Dec 18): 'Two balls of fire' reported.
• Malibu (Jan 9): A plane explosion reported, with the Navy unable to find anything.
• Southport, England (Jan 9): A plane leaving a smoke trail seen to dive into the sea.
• Maine (Jan 10, 5:30 p.m.): Objects described as 'about the size of the moon' seemed to explode.
• Paris, Kentucky (Jan 16, 4:30 p.m.): An 'unexplained object trailing a bright light' reported.
• BLACK SNOW: Reports of black, carbon-like particles falling in Birmingham, Alabama.
• COINCIDENCES: A series of unusual coincidences are listed, including anesthetic explosions, a woman strangling herself in a window, and multiple deaths from clothes wringers.
• CINVENTION: Announcement of the Seventh World Science Fiction Convention in Cincinnati.

Specific Investigations and Theories

• SATAN FINDS WORK: Queries are posed regarding Easter Island figures, the origin of the Rogue River, and a reference to coincidence in William Seabrook's 'Witchcraft'.
• DRAYSOΝΙΑΝΑ: Reports on warmer summers and winters, and the potential for the Antarctic ice cap to cause global upheaval.
• HUNGRY?: A publication from Pittsburgh lists 'chemically treated sawdust' as farm feed.
• NO MORE SOPER: Dr. George Albert Soper, associated with the 'Typhoid Mary' theory, died.
• DELAYED ROCKS: Reports of rains of rocks in Helsinki, Finland, and similar phenomena.
• END OF WORLD: A call for members to be alert for old predictions of the 'end of the world'.
• ESKIMO TECHNIC: Mentions a review of Nandor Fodor's paper on poltergeists and Eskimo practices.
• WHITE ELEPHANT NEWS: Discusses the Palomar telescope and the challenges in polishing its mirror.
• ATOMIC PROFITS: A piece questioning the cost and implications of atomic energy production.
• POOR GANDHI: Reports on India's progress under independence and a prediction of World War III in March 1949, revealed by a servant in a mesmerized state.
• WASHINGTON: Commentary on the perceived self-governance of the Federal Security Agency.
• HI-SPOTS IN MAIL: Contributions from Russell and Vora Sowers, including a story about an astronomer naming a star and detailed descriptions of Crater Lake.
• From Ed. H. Simpson: Discusses concerns about fluorine in drinking water and its potential health effects.

Scientific and Philosophical Explorations

• THE EARTH WITHOUT ANTIPODES: An article by Ernst Philipp Barthel presents a new astronomical system based on the idea that the Earth is the maximal globe of universal space, with space having a cyclic property.
• BRILLIANT EXPLANATION: A paper by MFS Molesworth discusses the concept of doubt and its role in inquiry, referencing Dewey.
• FUHRMANN WRITES: An autobiographical piece by Fuhrmann detailing his extensive research and learning process, emphasizing doubt and discovery.

Miscellaneous Reports

• FORTEAN MATCHES: Presents photographs and brief biographies of eight members who met through Forteanism and subsequently married.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of "doubt" revolve around the unexplained, the anomalous, and phenomena that challenge conventional scientific and societal norms. The editorial stance, as embodied by Tiffany Thayer and the Fortean Society, is one of open inquiry, encouraging members to report and investigate unusual occurrences without immediate dismissal. There is a strong emphasis on collecting data, sharing observations, and exploring alternative explanations for events that defy easy categorization. Skepticism towards established authorities and conventional explanations is evident, with a preference for empirical observation and critical analysis, even when such analysis leads to more questions than answers. The magazine acts as a clearinghouse for these diverse reports, fostering a community of individuals interested in the Fortean worldview.

This issue of DOUBT, Volume 4, Number 10, dated July 1952, published by The Fortean Society, focuses on "MORE NOTES of CHARLES FORT." The magazine presents a chronological compilation of unexplained phenomena, drawing from historical records, scientific journals, and personal accounts. The content spans a wide range of topics, including medical claims, aerial sightings, mysterious events, and scientific observations.

Parkinson's Disease Claims Denied

The issue begins by addressing reports of a German physician, Dr. Voeller of Kassel, who claimed to have achieved cures for Parkinson's Disease. However, the British Ministry of Health, as quoted by the British Medical Journal, denied these claims, stating that any apparent improvement is a characteristic of the disease's development and that a curative treatment is considered hopeless. The report also mentions that Dr. Karl Brandt, a former Reichs Commissioner for Health, was involved in disseminating these reports.

Aerial Phenomena and Mystery Fires

Reports of "lights, distress signals, and meteors" observed on the East Yorkshire coast, particularly around Bridlington and Flamborough Head, are highlighted. The magazine notes the recurrence of such phenomena in this area.

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to accounts of unexplained events. A cowhand named Lamar Underwood was killed in a pickup accident. Following this, John Miller's house burned down, and Clyde Young died of a heart attack, after which a fire occurred in another store. The author notes the coincidence of deaths and fires, questioning if there is a connection. Another account details fires that started mysteriously, including one under a kerosene refrigerator and another involving gasoline jugs, with no clear explanation accepted by the community.

Fortean Spirit and Authorship

The issue features a letter from Clayton praising Edward H. Faulkner, author of "PLOWMAN'S FOLLY," for his Fortean spirit in questioning conventional agricultural methods. The writer suggests Faulkner for a "Chair of Iktomi" at the Fortean University and proposes a "Chair of Oudemans-Sanderson" for Fortean Zoology, nominating Ivan Sanderson. The writer also shares an excerpt from Mark Twain's "LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI," which humorously extrapolates geological and evolutionary theories based on the changing length of the Mississippi River, highlighting the absurdity of drawing grand conclusions from limited data.

Correspondence and Personal Accounts

Letters from various contributors offer diverse perspectives. Kelley questions the contributions of certain individuals to the Fortean Society, critiquing their attitudes towards religion and Atlantis. Niehuis shares a passage from the autobiography of the Chinese poet Shen Fu, describing a mysterious red light at sea interpreted as a spirit fire and an omen.

Roueche contributes clippings about "Mystery Fires" in Macomb, Illinois, and connects them to a 12-year-old girl, Juanett McNeil, suggesting a link to puberty. He also mentions the unexplained ringing of a doorbell and a series of mystery fires in his friend's house, which a chemist neighbor could not explain.

Spingola notes the connection between similar cases and girls in puberty, and humorously comments on the persistence of a young lady involved in a mystery fire. He also commends Cal Tinney for his "Thinking Allowed" program and raises questions about the crashing of B-29 aircraft. The issue details the history of Boeing aircraft development, including the crashes of early B-17 and B-29 prototypes, resulting in the deaths of test pilots and the designer.

McWilliams, a rancher from Wyoming, expresses his continued interest in DOUBT magazine despite being busy with his dairy farm. He notes the absence of the magazine's usual "polemics" and shares his discouragement with the dairy industry.

Chronological Catalog of Phenomena

The bulk of the magazine is dedicated to a detailed, chronological listing of "Notes of Charles Fort," starting from 1850. This section meticulously records various phenomena, including meteors, waterspouts, storms, hailstorms, lightning, quakes, unusual atmospheric conditions (like dry fog and colored rain), and other unexplained events. Each entry is dated and often accompanied by references to scientific journals (such as BA, LT, CR, A.J.Sci.) and newspapers, providing a comprehensive catalog of anomalous occurrences.

Book and Magazine Advertisements

The final page features advertisements for books and magazines related to Fortean and freethought interests. These include "Order Glacial Period and Drayson's Hypothesis" by John Millis, "America NEEDS Indians" by the author, "Chakotin's RAPE OF THE MASSES," and "The Books of Charles Fort" (a compilation of his major works). An advertisement for "Progressive World," a freethought-progressive magazine, is also included.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of DOUBT are the investigation of unexplained phenomena, the questioning of established scientific and medical dogmas, and the presentation of historical anomalies. The editorial stance, as reflected in the selection and presentation of material, is one of skepticism towards official explanations and a deep interest in the unusual and the unexplained, consistent with the Fortean philosophy. The magazine encourages readers to submit their own observations and accounts of strange occurrences, fostering a collaborative approach to understanding the mysteries of the world.