Doubt - No 25

Magazine Overview

Title: doubt
Issue: #25
Date: 1931 AD
Publisher: The Fortean Society Magazine
Editor: Tiffany Thayer

This issue of 'doubt' magazine, published by The Fortean Society, presents a collection of intriguing and often bizarre reports, anecdotes, and speculations, reflecting the Society's interest in phenomena that defy conventional explanation. Edited by Tiffany Thayer, the magazine covers a wide array of subjects, from alleged UFO sightings and historical mysteries to scientific oddities and philosophical musings.

Contents and Articles

First Prize Winners

The magazine highlights several 'first prize' entries, including:

• Butterfly Poison: An American tanker crew in mid-Atlantic was treated and cured via radio instructions for strange blisters, attributed to dust from the wings of poisonous butterflies encountered in the Caribbean.
• Banker Chokes to Death: Nathan M. D. McClure died by choking on a piece of steak at an Investment Bankers Association banquet, noted for its poetic irony.

Tied for Second Place

• Haliburton: Natives of Sierra Leone sent their Easter offering to an Episcopal Bishop in Chicago for missionary work.
• Kerr (again): The Navajos in Arizona were snowbound, and a relief package dropped by plane killed an Indian woman near Window Rock.

Tied with Russell

• I. O. Evans: A British businessman in Buenos Aires was inexplicably held in a Paris cell overnight, later discovering two distinct footprints on the ceiling.
• Sinse the Flood: Two elderly men in Paris municipal offices were found to be responsible for flood payments from 1910, yet their salaries had continued since 1913.

Runners-Up and Other Anecdotes

• Duane Free: A printer in Chicago was ordered by a court to stop teaching his children atheism.
• G. Delbert Morris: A California Assemblyman proposed mandatory Bible reading in public schools.
• Elsender: A tadpole reportedly died without growing up, possibly due to thyroid deficiency.
• British Film Ban: Sir Alexander Korda was set to exhibit 'Berliner Ballade', a German film allegedly banned in the U.S. for being a distorted portrayal of German capital conditions.
• Kerr (again): The magazine discusses the alleged banning of 'Berliner Ballade' and questions who would issue such a decree, suggesting it's done through subtle coercion rather than law.
• Russell (again): Infantile paralysis was reportedly unknown to Eskimos until they began eating packaged cereals, with thirteen cases flown to Winnipeg for treatment.
• Oltcher: Herbert Collier in England died of a heart attack before finishing a suicide note.
• Wakefield: A lawsuit by Thord Kümalehto's widow against H. Spencer Lewis alleges that the Rosicrucian organization AMORC, founded in 1915, was a business venture for profit.
• Sheeley: Richard Pitcher of Providence, Oregon, experienced a knee injury similar to a previous one, with no apparent cause.
• Bonavia: John J. O'Neill's column introduces 'Social Physics' and mentions works by Dr. George Kingsley Zipf, Dr. Norbert Wiener, Dr. N. Rashevsky, and Professor John Q. Stewart.

It's Nice Work

This section highlights various unusual occupations and investigations:

• Archaeology of Learning: The department overlaps with the labors of PPP, listing occupations that could be augmented. An example is the Egyptian Ministry of Finance publishing a brochure on the 'Great Temple of Ammon at Karnak'.
• Geodetic Survey: The ship 'Pioneer' was tasked with finding out why the sea floor off La Jolla, California, 'growls strangely'.
• Ocean Swells: The N.Y. Times reported on maintaining checks and records of 'ocean swells', sponsored by the International Meteorological Organization.
• Amateur Seismographs: Donald C. Bradford attempted to form amateur observing stations with home-made seismographs.
• Prehistoric Skeletons: Norman H. Boss worked for the Museum of Natural History on assembling prehistoric skeletons, estimated to be worth $250,000.
• Sex Life Interviews: Dr. Alfred C. Kinnsey had sufficient funds for 20 years of interviews on sex life.
• Fog Dispersal Apparatus: A Ministry of Civil Aviation confessed that an abandoned 'fog dispersal apparatus' at London Airport cost nearly $2,000,000.
• Wild Life Surveying: Dr. Hartley Jackson lamented the near extinction of 50 species of North American wild animals.
• Sun Crackle: Listening to the sun crackle on the radio became an occupation, with an honorarium offered by University College, London, for someone to tutor an octopus.

Department of Interior: Fish and Wildlife Service - Washington

This section compiles reports of rains of organic matter, including fishes, frogs, toads, birds, insects, earthworms, and plants, citing U.S. Weather Bureau papers and historical accounts. It explains that waterspouts can empty harbors and fish ponds, leading to fishes changing habitat. Young toads appearing after rain are attributed to their sensitivity to dry atmospheres and habit of hiding under stones.

The Riddle of "Monstrator"

This article speculates on the phenomenon of "Monstrator," observed in 1762. Described as a spindle-shaped object, possibly a prototype of 'flying saucers' but of much vaster dimensions, it was visible for 29 days against the sun. The object maintained a discreet distance, possibly indicating a controlled space-ship. Its nebulosity suggests an atmospheric envelope, which is difficult to explain by known laws unless the gas was continuously replaced. The article posits that it might have been a space-ship with engines exhausting gas, or a craft utilizing a different propulsion system. It also suggests "Monstrator" might have been related to Venus or "Neith," a supposed moon of Venus.

Lost Sheep

A list of missing members (MFS) is provided, with requests for assistance in finding them.

World Events

Scott Nearing's observations on current events are now presented quarterly in 'World Events' for $1.00 a year.

Castillo on Cerberus

This piece discusses the 'Cerberus' drawing as a visual manifesto of the Society's aims, pointing to a 'triadic Opposition' in Orthodoxy: Church, State, and Dogmatic Science. It argues that these are not separate entities but departments of a single 'cosmic' chess-game, controlled by an 'Unseen Empire'. The author criticizes the idea of enforcing a 'separation of church and state' as absurd, suggesting it's a tactic to keep those seeking crumbs from the State.

Anti Medicine

References are made to books like 'THESE CULTS' by Annie Riley Hale and 'MEDICAL SABOTAGE' by Nell Foster Rogers, which are presented as critiques of conventional medicine.

Add Explosions

Inadvertently, the name of Carlo di Iorio was omitted from a list of sufferers from anaesthetic explosions.

Did Pasteur Recant?

A query is posed about whether Pasteur recanted his germ theory of disease on his deathbed.

A. L. (The Man) Joquel

Arthur Louis Joquel III is recognized for his contributions, including starting a Fortean Chapter in Los Angeles and presenting a short story by Charles Fort to the Society.

The Chapters

Brief mentions of Chapter Two's activities, including the birth of a baby and a talk on Forteanism.

Jersey Justice

This section criticizes the legal system in New Jersey, referring to the case of six Black men slated to die for a murder they allegedly did not commit, labeling it "Jersey Justice."

Russell Writes

• Colorado Beetle Mystery: Reports of widespread farm fires in Britain are linked to systematic agricultural sabotage.
• Strange Noises: Reports of strange, low-pitched noises heard by people across Britain are discussed, with speculation about sonic weapons.
• Parr's Beetles: Colorado beetles appeared mysteriously in North Rhine Westphalia, found in red rubber pouches.

"Monstrator" and Space-Ships

Further discussion on "Monstrator," suggesting it could have been a space-ship with advanced propulsion, possibly related to Venus or "Neith."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of 'doubt' reinforces the Fortean Society's core mission: to document and investigate phenomena that fall outside mainstream scientific and societal understanding. The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards established authorities (scientific, governmental, religious) and a championing of the unusual, the unexplained, and the potentially suppressed. The magazine encourages reader participation in gathering data and investigating anomalies, fostering a sense of shared inquiry into the world's mysteries. Recurring themes include the limitations of conventional science, the possibility of hidden knowledge (as seen in the Voynich Manuscript), and the critique of societal structures and authorities. The publication actively seeks to expose what it perceives as inconsistencies, deceptions, or overlooked truths, often with a satirical or critical edge.

Title: DOUBT
Issue: Vol. 1, No. 3
Date: November 1947
Publisher: The Fortean Society
Price: $1.00

This issue of DOUBT magazine, published by The Fortean Society, focuses heavily on the archival work of Charles Fort, presenting "MORE NOTES of CHARLES FORT" alongside discussions of astronomical anomalies, seismic predictions, and other unexplained phenomena. The magazine maintains a critical stance towards conventional scientific explanations, advocating for a broader consideration of anomalous events.

Neith and Monstrator: A Re-examination

The lead article revisits the phenomena of 'Neith' and 'Monstrator,' objects observed in the 18th century. It challenges the 'ghost image' explanation offered by the Encyclopaedia Britannica, citing the observations of Montbarron and Scheuten, who reported 'Neith' in varying positions and a satellite following Venus across the sun, respectively. The author suggests that 'Neith' likely existed and questions the later dismissal of these observations by astronomers who attributed them to faulty early telescopes. The disappearance of 'Monstrator' and 'Neith' twenty-nine years later is noted, prompting speculation about a possible connection, perhaps 'Neith' being a mother-ship that launched 'Monstrator.' The article posits the existence of a "vast and powerful but peaceful culture of intelligent entities" engaged in "roving commerce" and studying Earth.

Hi-Spots in Mail

This section features correspondence from readers:

• From Noble: Discusses photographs of aurora displays from the National Geographic Magazine (November 1947). Noble disputes the scientific explanation that auroras do not produce sound, citing personal experiences of crackling noises in Newfoundland. He also notes the aurora's red color and its regular appearance on the Fourth of July. Noble also points out that spectrographic analysis of the upper atmosphere reveals only oxygen and nitrogen, contradicting theories of hydrogen dominance.
• From Marshall: Calls attention to an article in Liberty magazine titled "Is A Major Earthquake Overdue?" Marshall quotes Professor Perry Byerly, who suggests a major earthquake in the San Francisco area could occur tomorrow or within 60 years, finding Byerly "quite shockproof" for an expert.
• From Bump: Encloses a copy of "The Myth of the Post Office" by Frank Chodorov, identifying the "State" with "Orthodoxy" and advocating for freedom of enterprise.

Poor Socrates

This brief item reports on the execution of John Tsoukaris in Larissa, Greece, for refusing military service, framing it as a low point for Greece.

Ezra Doubts

Congratulates the Bollingen Foundation for awarding Ezra Pound the Bollingen Award for his "Pisan Cantos," quoting a line that reflects a desire for political change.

Damned Reds

Reports on a Pravda article claiming that influenza germs could be made into cloth and that scientists in Moscow were growing colored cotton on bushes, with blue and rose varieties expected.

Sino Hauser

Details the unusual incident of a Chinese-appearing boy, around 18 years old, being found in Pennsy Station, Newark, whom no one could understand, leading to his being sent to Ellis Island.

More Notes of Charles Fort

This extensive section begins the chronological presentation of Charles Fort's manuscript notes, starting with the year 1800 AD. The notes are transcribed from difficult handwriting and coded entries, filling 32 boxes. The magazine intends to alternate between records of non-human phenomena (numbered boxes) and records of persons (lettered boxes).

• 1851: Entries detail a meteorite falling on a church tower in Larignac, France; a violent earthquake in Valparaiso, Chile; a torrential earthquake in Majorca preceded by electrical phenomena and heavy rains; and various meteor sightings and quakes across Europe and the Americas.
• 1852: Continues the catalog with numerous entries detailing meteor showers, earthquakes in Spain, Italy, and the Americas, unusual atmospheric phenomena like red snow and auroras, and reports of waterspouts, ice falling from the sky, and strange tracks in the snow.
• 1852 (Continued): Further entries document a "luminous phenomenon" seen near Oxford, a whirlwind in Limerick, a meteor over Saturn, and a shock in Ohio. It also includes a curious account from the "Northern News" of frogs and small freshwater fish falling from the sky near Uitenhage, South Africa, in 1852, corroborated by a correspondent.

Tracings Slightly Reduced

This section presents a series of drawings, likely reproductions of Fort's own sketches or contemporary illustrations, depicting various phenomena such as meteors, auroras, and possibly UFO shapes.

Books and Publications Advertised

The back pages feature advertisements for:

• "BEST - CLEAREST - SIMPLEST PRESENTATION of the DRAYSON PROBLEM" by John Millis, reprinted from Popular Astronomy.
• "America NEEDS Indians" by the author, described as a practical plan for natives and guests to conserve the continent.
• "RAPED AGAIN" by Chakotin, presented as a blueprint for gaining domination and mentally enslaving peoples.
• "The Books of CHARLES FORT" (4 volumes in 1), containing "The Book of the Damned," "New Lands," "Lo!," and "Wild Talents," with an introduction by Tiffany Thayer.
• "THINKERS OF AMERICA" magazine, "Progressive World," a Freethought-Progressive Magazine.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently champions the work of Charles Fort, presenting his meticulously collected data on unexplained phenomena as evidence against the limitations of conventional science. The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards established explanations and an open-mindedness towards anomalous events, often framed as "Fortean phenomena." There's a recurring theme of challenging "orthodoxy" and "the State," advocating for individual freedom and a broader understanding of reality that includes the unexplainable. The "Notes of Charles Fort" section serves as the core of the magazine's mission: to preserve and disseminate Fort's vast archive of anomalous observations for future study.