Fortean Society Magazine - No 10

Magazine Overview

This issue of The Fortean Society Magazine, dated Autumn, 14 F.S. (likely 1944), is titled 'THE FORTEAN SOCIETY MAGAZINE' and features a cover headline 'WILD PLUM SPEAKS.' The magazine is priced at 25¢ and edited by Tiffany Thayer, Secretary of the Fortean Society. The issue delves into a variety of unexplained phenomena, critiques of scientific and governmental institutions, and reports on unusual events.

Wild Plum Speaks

The lead article, 'Wild Plum Speaks,' recounts an incident at Wild Plum School in North Dakota where pupils allegedly underwent 'lie-detector' tests. The article highlights the embarrassment of authorities when the tests yielded inconclusive or questionable results, leading to a preference for explanations involving pixies over the fallibility of scientific instruments. The author notes that this situation serves as a 'Fortean laugh' at the expense of orthodoxy and scientific certainty.

The Lie Detector Controversy

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to critiquing the 'lie-detector' and its increasing use. The article references a series by Alva Johnston in the Saturday Evening Post, which promoted the polygraph as a reliable tool for 'wringing confessions.' The Fortean perspective argues that this 'scientific' advancement is a dangerous imposition on civil liberties, potentially undermining the presumption of innocence and constitutional guarantees. The article cites cases where lie-detector findings contradicted eyewitness testimony or were used in questionable ways, emphasizing that such evidence is not legally admissible if one stands on their rights.

The Lonc Cosmic Constant

The issue introduces Frank S. Lonc and his son, Frank A. Lonc, who claim to have discovered the 'Cosmic Constant,' expressed as 1.618+. The article details how Frank S. Lonc, an artist and polymath, sought to demystify 'Relativity' by finding a simple arithmetic constant. The applications of this constant are presented as infinite, including its use in calculating the relative distances of planets and atomic weights of elements. Frank A. Lonc further developed these ideas in his publication 'The Key to the Cosmos.' The article also notes the use of this constant in calculating the length of a circular arc and even in a diagram illustrating the proportions of a female figure.

Vitic Force and Other Phenomena

N. Meade Layne contributes an article titled 'WHAT ABOUT VITIC?' which revisits the concept of 'Vitic' or 'carbon force,' a subject previously discussed by Brian Brown. The article describes experiments involving hardened carbon and magnets that allegedly affect physiological readings, suggesting a previously unknown force. The author expresses skepticism about the scientific community's willingness to explore such phenomena due to their simplicity and potential to disrupt established medical practices.

• Other reported phenomena include:
• Germs in Space: A discussion on the possibility of life originating from space, referencing Dr. Svante Arrhenius and Dr. C. B. Lipman's findings on living germs inside meteorites.
• Cosmic Fogs: Dr. Harlan T. Stetson's warning about 'cosmic fogs' (vast dust clouds in space) as a potential cause of future Ice Ages.
• Psychograph: Mention of a mechanical phrenologist called the 'Psychograph' that registers emotional reactions.
• Electric Aura: The discovery at Yale University of an invisible electric or magnetic aura enveloping the human body, detectable by a microvoltmeter.
• Watts Per Hour: A critique by Charles F. Dilks suggesting that the public is overcharged for electricity due to discrepancies in standard formulas and texts.
• Ghosts Active: Reports of poltergeist activity, including knocking, moving furniture, and piano playing, often associated with homes containing young girls.
• Rain of Oil: An incident in Kokomo, Indiana, where oil was sprayed over houses and gardens after a 'miniature' twister.
• Rust on the Druids: A mention of a book by Reverend James Rust claiming that stone circles in Britain were Druidical temples.
• Glastonbury's Temple: A book titled 'A Guide to Glastonbury's Temple of the Stars' is discussed, which posits a connection between King Arthur's Knights, Merlin, and artificial waterways forming zodiacal creature shapes.
• Subterranean Geography: A reference to James Gaffarel's book 'Unheard of Curiosities,' which discussed talismans and the topography of hell and purgatory.
• Sea Monsters: Reports of a sea monster in Loch Ness and a 'Sea Serpent' in Payette Lake, Idaho, with descriptions and a mention of photographic evidence.
• No Such Animal: A description of a sea monster reported near Fredrikstad, Norway.

Critiques of Media and Institutions

• The magazine also features critiques of media outlets and societal institutions:
• IN FACT: Praised for an article exposing the 'pulmotor' as a dangerous device but criticized for an issue whitewashing George Gallup and his opinion-sampling agencies.
• FRAUDS Magazine: Reviewed for its attacks on various orthodoxies, though the reviewer notes its own adherence to some orthodoxies and a perceived bias against certain groups while being sympathetic to others.
• The Truth About India: The continuation of an article by Kanhayalal Gauba, focusing on the 'Kingship in Theory and Practice' within Indian States. It criticizes the rulers' reliance on British protection and their potential for despotic rule, highlighting the lack of justice and accountability for the populace.

Personal Accounts and Notes

• Who Was St. George?: An inquiry into the life and works of M. P. Malter, who published philosophical works under the pseudonym 'St. George.'
• Peter Vesey Case: A narrative about Peter Vesey, an astrological fiction writer who died under mysterious circumstances, with his body found charred in his living room.
• Fort Corrections: An ongoing effort by H. A. Kiesewetter and Mrs. Kiesewetter to check and correct references in Charles Fort's 'NOTES,' with the first installment of corrections provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Fortean Society Magazine consistently champions the investigation of unexplained phenomena that fall outside the purview of conventional science and established institutions. The editorial stance is critical of orthodoxy, scientific dogma, and governmental authority, particularly when these systems appear to suppress truth or infringe upon individual liberties. There is a strong emphasis on empirical observation, even if unconventional, and a distrust of claims of absolute certainty from scientific or governmental bodies. The magazine encourages readers to contribute their own observations and to question established narratives. The overall tone is one of skepticism towards authority and a deep interest in the anomalous and the unexplained.

Title: THE FORTEAN
Issue: Autumn, 14 F. S. (likely referring to 1914)
Publisher: THE FORTEAN SOCIETY
Content Focus: This issue of The Fortean, a publication of the Fortean Society, focuses on critiques of media bias and the documentation of unusual natural phenomena, consistent with the society's interest in anomalies and unexplained events.

Editorial Content

"Poisoned at Its Source."

The issue opens with a reprint of a 1913 cartoon by artist Art Young, originally published in "The Masses." The cartoon depicts the Associated Press (AP) as a source of poisoned news, specifically referencing the reporting on a strike in Paint Creek, West Virginia. The accompanying text explains that the AP representative was allegedly an officer in a militia tribunal that persecuted miners. The article notes that "The Masses" was edited by the late Max Eastman. The text also mentions that Upton Sinclair defended Young and Eastman, charging that the AP had "poisoned the news from (Denver) Colorado at its source" in another labor dispute. The Fortean Society's interest is highlighted as being in the "poisoning of 'news'" rather than labor disputes themselves. The article concludes by stating that the cartoon remains relevant, with the AP figure being interchangeable with other news agencies like "United Press," "International News Service," or "OWI." The legal history of "The Masses" is detailed, with attorney Julien Cornell reporting that indictments for criminal libel were filed against Max Eastman and Arthur Young in late 1913 but were never brought to trial and were dismissed in April 1915.

"SNEEZER"

A brief report titled "SNEEZER" details a case from Jonesboro, Arkansas, where Mrs. Albert Sanders experienced prolonged sneezing fits (15 times a minute for 5 days) on December 4, 1944. The cause of this condition was undetermined.

"MORE NOTES of CHARLES FORT"

This extensive section is a compilation of chronological entries detailing various unusual events, primarily from 1829, with some entries extending into other years and referencing earlier or later periods. These entries are categorized into "Box 1 (Resumed)" and "Box A (Resumed)" and cover a wide range of phenomena:

• Geological Events: Numerous earthquakes are recorded across Spain (Murcia, Valencia, Huesca), Italy (Ancona, Sicily), Austria (Graz), China, Russia, Sweden, Jamaica, and other locations. Some entries note accompanying phenomena like violent storms, heavy rain, floods, meteors, halos, and unusual noises.
• Volcanic Activity: Eruptions are noted near Hudson's River, N.S. Wales, and Mount Etna in Italy, with descriptions of ash fall, dust clouds, and lava flows. The formation of a new volcanic island (Graham Island) near Sicily is also mentioned, along with its subsequent disappearance.
• Atmospheric Phenomena: Reports include a "moving column like a chimney" discharging smoke and fire in Treves, a hailstorm in Spain with large ice blocks (4½ lbs), unusual fog, meteors, auroras, colored suns (blue, greenish, whitish blue), and a "column of fire" seen in Murcia.
• Unusual Weather: Heavy rains, floods, and severe storms are frequently mentioned, particularly in Spain and Europe. Specific events include a waterspout in Ireland and a hailstorm in Ohio with hail 3 inches in circumference.
• Zoological Anomalies: Reports include a "fall of living eels" in Maine and fish falling in India and Argyleshire.
• Other Phenomena: Explosive sounds, detonations, and unusual noises are noted in various locations, sometimes without accompanying earthquakes.

Notable specific incidents include:

• February 7, 1829: Capt. Sturt in Southern Australia heard a sound like a gun report miles away.
• February 21, 1829: An earthquake in Murcia, Spain, was followed by a violent storm and lava flows from craters.
• March 8, 1829: A severe earthquake in Irkutsk, Siberia, was accompanied by a clattering noise.
• March 21, 1829: In Murcia, Spain, a fearful noise and a column of fire were observed.
• June 15, 1829: A hailstorm at Cazorta, Spain, produced ice blocks weighing 4½ lbs.
• June 25, 1829: In Treves, a fiery column appeared in the sky, discharging smoke and fire.
• August 4, 1829: A "waterspout" burst in the Clidagh Mountains, Ireland, causing a significant flood.
• September 3, 1829: A dry fog was observed on the coast of Africa, which seemed to disappear at sunset and reappear at sunrise.
• September 9, 1829: A hurricane and "innumerable fireballs" struck Barbados, accompanied by extreme redness of the sky and a sulphurous odor.

Advertisement: "RAPED AGAIN"

The final page features an advertisement for a re-issued book by Chakotin titled "RAPE OF THE MASSES." The book is described as a "living, working blue-print" for gaining domination and mentally enslaving people, used by politicians and demagogues. It is presented as "Dispassionate, 'scientific', highly illuminating" and is 310 pages, cloth-bound, and available from The Fortean Society. The supply is noted as limited.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Fortean Society's publication consistently documents and presents anomalous phenomena, unexplained events, and instances that challenge conventional scientific or societal explanations. This issue highlights the society's long-standing interest in news manipulation and bias, as exemplified by the Art Young cartoon, alongside its core mission of cataloging unusual occurrences in nature and human experience. The editorial stance appears to be one of meticulous record-keeping and presentation of data, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions about the significance of these events, often framed within a historical context. The inclusion of diverse phenomena, from geological disasters to atmospheric oddities and even social critiques, reflects a broad definition of "Fortean" interests.