Doubt - No 55

Magazine Overview

DOUBT, The Fortean Society Magazine, Vol. II, Whole Number 55, edited by Tiffany Thayer, published in 1931 A.D. The magazine is priced at 35c. in the USA and 2/- in Great Britain. It serves as a platform for collecting and disseminating accounts of unusual phenomena, often with a critical Fortean perspective.

Contents and Articles

Fortean Society Information The magazine provides contact information for the Fortean Society, including its secretary, Tiffany Thayer, and addresses for representatives in England and Italy. It also mentions that DOUBT is available in principal cities worldwide and in many public libraries and universities. Membership dues are $2.00 annually.

First Prize This section features a brief anecdote about a technician who reportedly died after standing in front of a radar transmitter in 1954. It also notes a contradictory report stating no injuries were caused by TV microwaves.

News and Oddities A collection of short, often bizarre, news items from various sources: * Dr. James B. Kelley warned television viewers to stay six feet away from their sets. * Trinity College, Hartford, Conn., hosted a lecture on the location of zeros of the derivative of a polynomial. * A five-foot shark was found in a telephone booth in West Love, Cornwall, England. * A lake in New Zealand vanished overnight before an earthquake. * The Pope's summer residence at Castel Gandolfo was robbed. * The Union of Spiritualist Mediums in Britain was described as a new trade union. * O. A. Tronstad is noted for his critical data on the Salk vaccine, calling it 'the Salk Gold Mine'. * Dr. Barbara Blanchard Oakeson studies the weight gain and gonad volume increase in sparrows. * Africans treated for leprosy in Nairobi, Kenya, were becoming outcasts. * Russian scientists were reportedly feeding radioactive syrup to flies and mosquitoes and tracking them with radar. * A new Navy test for syphilis proved that four out of 10 suspected sailors were falsely accused. * Canada had stockpiled 200,000 collapsible wood coffins for national catastrophes. * A pill to protect against H-bomb rays was announced. * Various antidotes for radioactive fallout were announced by US and French researchers. * At the University of Illinois, chickens were being irradiated for cheaper shipping. * A mental patient in Ipswich, England, won a large sum in a soccer pool and decided to stay in the hospital. * Lie detector test results were admitted as evidence in a California trial for the first time. * A man in England applied for a tax reduction after seeing a ghost in his bedroom. * The US Air Force discovered where Europe is in relation to America, but it's classified. * The US Marine Corps occupies a training center in California on land the government had no legal claim to. * Federal government plans a grant for an airport in Scottsdale, Arizona, which has no airport. * Elephants in Northern Rhodesia were being moved due to a dam project, and rangers reported organized resistance from the animals.

For the Birds This section compiles various anecdotes related to birds and other animals: * A correspondent noted that haloes might have been used as metal plates on statues in pagan times. * A British Museum scientist advised Londoners to give pigeons vitamin tablets instead of bread crumbs. * A disease control chief blamed sleeping sickness on flocks of starlings. * A canary learned phrases by eavesdropping on a parrot being taught to talk. * A one-eyed parrot was reported to paint pictures. * San Francisco's Police Chief abolished intelligence tests for rookie cops due to poor performance. * A mind-reading dog was tested at Duke University. * The NY State deputy conservation commissioner did not know what killed 15,000 pheasants. * California's Department of Fish and Game did not know what killed hundreds of seagulls.

The 'Year' is Here This section discusses the launch of the International Geophysical 'Year' (IGY), a 18-month scientific program. It notes the vast public relations campaign and the significant expenditure involved, suggesting it serves as a substitute for war. The article expresses skepticism about the 'clap-trap nonsense' surrounding the IGY and highlights the development of man-made satellites. It mentions the cost of the program and the involvement of 40 governments. Concerns are raised about 'fall-out' and 'misguided missiles'. The section also details various satellite launch attempts and related news, including failures, delays, and the competition between the USA and the Soviet Union.

Ice, Hail and Tinsel A compilation of reports on unusual precipitation and falls: * Hail up to three feet deep in France. * Hail the size of a fist in Florida. * Hailstones up to 8.5 inches in diameter in Arkansas. * Hailstones weighing up to half a pound killed livestock in Mexico. * Egg-sized hail piled up to a foot deep, killing people and cattle in India. * Egg-sized hail piled up a foot deep in Western Texas. * Hail piled up to five feet deep in Cornwall, England. * Tea-cup sized hail killed many in China. * Hail the size of baseballs injured people in Texas. * Egg-sized hail and floods killed thousands of sheep and goats in Macedonia. * A 50-pound chunk of ice, along with a smaller one, fell in Pennsylvania, observed to have air bubbles and seen to fall from a clear sky. * Tinsel strips fell over roads and fields in Merion, Pennsylvania, and near Little Falls, Minnesota. * Egg-sized hail reported in Quimperle, France.

Other Falls Etc. * 'Blood' drops transformed dooryards into red lakes in Colombia and Brazil, attributed to volcanic origin. * Flocks of 'flying lizards' were reported in Northern Rhodesia. * A four-inch turtle was found in the carburetor air duct of a marine corps helicopter. * Two red frogs were found in the San Bruno hills, California.

Comet Grows Beard This section discusses the Arend-Roland comet, noting its brilliance and the prediction of its appearance. It mentions that a night watchman saw it visible to the naked eye before professional astronomers did. The comet was observed to have two tails, one of which disappeared, and it developed a 'beard' phenomenon.

Compulsory Salk This section strongly opposes compulsory vaccination, particularly the Salk Polio Vaccine. It raises concerns about the legality and ethics of forcing medication on individuals. The article details a case in New Jersey where school boards could reject unvaccinated children and urges members to fight such laws. It also references previous Supreme Court rulings upholding compulsory vaccination for smallpox and questions the entrenchment of the Salk serum. Several incidents of adverse reactions and deaths following Salk vaccination are cited, along with reports of countries like the Netherlands and England rejecting the Salk serum.

Anybody Know Elisabeth? A request for information about Elisabeth Dowdell, a Titanic survivor.

Saucer Credits This section acknowledges contributions related to UFO sightings and discusses the origin of saucer publicity, referencing a statement by the mayor of Naples about nations needing a common front against attacks from people from other planets.

Fort in Germany This section features a letter from MFS Julian Parr, living in Germany, who published an article in the German magazine ANDROmeda. The letter discusses a scientific prophecy regarding satellites and the concept of a hollow Earth, referencing the work of Karl Neupert and Ernst Barthel.

Crehore's Telepathy This section reviews a book by MFS Crehore on mental telepathy, which proposes an electronic basis for mind reading and other psychic phenomena. The book is recommended for its practical approach.

Stay Rational An appeal to subscribe to 'The American Rationalist' for its work in promoting rationalism.

Nominations A list of individuals nominated for their actions or stances, including those who refused to permit vaccinations, opposed certain mottos, or argued against obscenity laws.

Dry Fogs A brief piece by Geo. C. Caron, MFS, discussing the limitations of telescopes like Mount Palomar in observing celestial bodies due to atmospheric interference.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a skeptical and critical viewpoint on scientific claims, government policies, and societal norms. It champions the collection of anomalous phenomena and challenges established scientific and governmental narratives. Key themes include skepticism towards official explanations, a focus on unexplained events, opposition to compulsory medical interventions like the Salk vaccine, and an interest in space exploration and potential extraterrestrial phenomena. The editorial stance is one of questioning authority and encouraging readers to maintain a rational yet open mind to the unusual.

This issue of DOUBT magazine, identified by page numbers 453-457, is primarily dedicated to presenting "More Notes of Charles Fort." The content is drawn from the extensive manuscript notes compiled by Charles Fort, beginning with the year 1800 AD. The publication aims to present these notes chronologically, transcribed from Fort's often difficult-to-read handwriting, symbols, and personal shorthand. The notes are organized into 32 boxes, with a system of alternating between records of non-human phenomena and records of persons to ensure a consecutive printed sequence.

Atmospheric Phenomena

The issue details several historical instances of unusual atmospheric conditions, often referred to as "fogs" or "dry fogs." A significant entry from 1435 describes a period in Belgium with a cloudy and nebulous atmosphere during the day, despite clear, starry nights, with no rain falling. A more widespread event occurred in 1783, when a "dry fog" covered practically all of Europe, starting in Copenhagen and spreading across Denmark, England, Holland, France, Italy, North Africa, and reaching the Altai mountains in Tartary. This fog was noted for its duration and peculiar characteristics.

Another historical fog, similar to the 1783 event, is described from 1831. This fog was observed across Europe and North America, presenting features that mystified physicists. It lasted for over a month, and observers noted that the sun's disc appeared blue, greenish, and emerald green, and that objects were visible even at night due to the fog's inherent luminosity. The issue also mentions a "smoke fog" in North America in 1950, attributed to extensive forest fires, which affected visibility and the color of the sun.

An extract from a letter dated April 3rd, 1758, from Kensington, Connecticut, describes a strange and extraordinary fog that appeared at sunrise, characterized by rolling bodies, intense heat, and an appearance resembling thick steam.

Insect Phenomena

A substantial portion of the "More Notes" section is dedicated to documenting mass occurrences of insects. These include:

• Ladybirds: Numerous reports detail swarms of ladybirds appearing in large numbers in various locations, including Brighton, Bristol, Bath, and Ramsgate, across different dates in the late 19th century. Some reports suggest these insects were of foreign origin or unusually large.
• Aphides: Several entries describe dense columns and invasions of aphides, sometimes so numerous they darkened the air, affected breathing, and emitted a rank odor. Locations mentioned include Southampton, Essex, and near Maidstone.
• Locusts: Reports detail locusts appearing in large quantities in Plymouth, Pembrokeshire, and Scotland, with some specimens being unusually large.
• Fireflies: Mentions include large numbers of fireflies appearing in Dover and other locations, some of which were reportedly brought from Coblentz.
• Other Insects: The notes also cover occurrences of flies, wasps, bees, spiders, and other miscellaneous insects, often noting their unusual abundance or specific characteristics.

Observations from High-Altitude Flights

The issue includes a section on observations made from high-flying planes, with pilots reporting on the sun's appearance at altitudes of 14,000 feet. They noted the sun's dazzling white appearance, a fuzzy contour, and sharp boundaries between light and shadow. The sky appeared a dark greyish-blue, with no stars visible during the day. It was not possible to determine if the sun was disclike or globular.

Other Anomalies

Beyond atmospheric and insect phenomena, the notes touch upon other unusual events:

• Meteoric Showers: A connection is suggested between star scintillation and magnetic disturbances, with a mention of a historic meteoric shower in 1831.
• Unusual Plants: A report from Highbury, Middlesex, describes a newly discovered plant, "cotola coronopifolia," found growing in a brickyard, with no clear explanation for its origin.
• Disappearances and Hallucinations: Brief mentions of disappearances and hallucinations in Bristol and New York are included.
• Strange Bees: Reports describe unusual bees with tufts of yellow hair and other distinct characteristics.
• Cuttlefish Shower: A peculiar event in the Nicobar Islands involved a shower of small cuttlefish falling during heavy rain.
• Earthquakes and Seismic Waves: Mentions of severe quakes in Copiapo, Arica, Peru, and a seismic wave are noted.
• Waterspouts: A waterspout is reported near Folkestone.
• Sun Spots: A brief note mentions spots on the sun's disk.

Editorial Stance and Publications

The magazine also includes advertisements and information about related publications and organizations. These include:

• The Fortean Society: Promoted as the publisher, offering various books and services.
• Books by Charles Fort: A compilation of his works, including "The Book of the Damned," "New Lands," "Lol," and "Wild Talents," is advertised.
• Other Publications: Advertisements for "Order Glacial Period and Drayson's Hypothesis" by John Millis, "America NEEDS Indians," and "FREETHOUGHT — ATHEISM" by United Secularists of America are featured.
• "RAPED AGAIN" by Chakotin: This book is described as a detailed blueprint for gaining domination and mentally enslaving people.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the meticulous documentation of anomalous phenomena, particularly atmospheric events and mass insect occurrences, as compiled by Charles Fort. The editorial stance appears to be one of presenting unexplained or unusual events without necessarily offering definitive explanations, aligning with the Fortean tradition of cataloging the unexplained. The emphasis is on the factual reporting of observations, often citing scientific journals, newspapers, and personal correspondence as sources. The publication serves as a repository for events that defy conventional scientific understanding, encouraging readers to consider the breadth of unexplained occurrences in the natural world.