Pursuit - No 25 - Vol 07 No 1 - 1974

Magazine Overview

Title: PURSUIT
Issue: Vol. 7, No. 1
Date: January, 1974
Tagline: "SCIENCE IS THE PURSUIT OF THE UNEXPLAINED"

This issue of PURSUIT, the journal of the Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained (SITU), is dedicated to exploring phenomena that are "customarily discounted." The cover features a stylized logo and the magazine's title in bold lettering, along with the publication date and tagline.

Organization and Membership

The Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained, based in Columbia, New Jersey, is managed by a Board of Trustees and counselled by a Scientific Advisory Board. It is housed on eight acres in Knowlton Township, Warren County, New Jersey. The Society emphasizes its apolitical nature and its focus solely on unexplained phenomena, excluding areas like human medicine, psychology, social sciences, law, religion, or ethics. Membership is $10 per year and includes the quarterly journal PURSUIT, an Annual Report, and other publications. Members are welcome to visit the Headquarters by appointment.

Publications

PURSUIT is published quarterly in January, April, July, and October. Subscriptions are available for $5 for four issues, separate from membership. The journal is listed in Ulrich's International Periodicals Directory and abstracted in Abstracts of Folklore Studies. It is also available on microfilm from University Microfilms.

Editorial

The editorial highlights the publication of Marjorie Fish's paper on the Betty Hill star map, noting that while other publications have covered it, PURSUIT offers Miss Fish "carte blanche" to present her findings accurately. The Society is experiencing increased interest from the press and scientists, indicating growing confidence in SITU. The editorial also addresses the Society's financial situation, stating that while self-supporting, it lacks funds for significant upgrades. It mentions the considerable expenses for projects like transcribing Charles Fort's notes and expeditions by ABSM experts, and appeals to readers to help find philanthropic foundations to support their work.

"IMITATION IS..."

This section humorously points out the similarities between the format of the Encyclopaedia Britannica's upcoming edition and PURSUIT's established structure, particularly the "Circle of Knowledge" concept and the use of a taxonomy wheel. It quotes Charles Fort's famous line, "One measures a circle, beginning anywhere," which was used by Mortimer J. Adler in describing the Britannica's new approach. The article suggests that Britannica should include the works of Charles Fort in its volumes and notes that Ace Books offers Fort's four main books in paperback for $1.10 each.

UFOLOGY

This section introduces Marjorie Fish's extensive research validating the Betty Hill star map. The article recounts the Barney Hill UFO encounter in 1961, their subsequent psychological issues, and the hypnotic regression that revealed details of the encounter, including a star chart shown to them by alien crewmen. Mrs. Hill was asked to draw the chart from memory, which she did, though with some erasures. The chart was described as three-dimensional.

Marjorie Fish, a school teacher, spent seven years creating three-dimensional star models to test the authenticity of Mrs. Hill's chart. She applied exobiological criteria to narrow down potential stars that could host life-supporting planets. Her research confirmed that the Hill chart accurately depicted a group of stars as viewed from a point in space far from our solar system, suggesting the Hills' story was not a fantasy but an account of an encounter with beings from another solar system.

The article details the process of building the star models, including the use of different colored beads for star types and stereoscopic photographs. It explains the challenge of finding the specific pattern within a vast number of stars and the importance of ruling out coincidence. The use of the 1969 Gliese Star Catalog allowed for a revised model that confirmed the complete pattern.

Betty Hill provides a letter clarifying two points: the map "rolling down like a window shade" and her interaction with Marjorie Fish. She explains that the map was displayed after the leader touched a wall, and she believes the wall opening slid back. She also confirms that she described the map as 3-D and that she saw her original drawing, which had an erasure and correction related to a star line. She emphasizes her ongoing contact with Marjorie Fish throughout her research.

Additional Notes on UFOLOGY

This section reports on a recent Gallup Poll, which found that 51% of adults believe UFOs are real, and 11% claim to have seen one. This represents a significant increase from a 1966 poll. The poll also indicated a 34% increase in the belief in intelligent life elsewhere in the universe, with 46% of respondents holding this belief.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes the investigation of unexplained phenomena, emphasizing scientific rigor and the pursuit of truth even when dealing with subjects that are "customarily discounted." The editorial stance is one of open inquiry, encouraging detailed research and the dissemination of findings, as exemplified by the extensive coverage of Marjorie Fish's work. The Society positions itself as a platform for presenting definitive facts on such subjects, distinct from sensationalized or incomplete accounts. There is a clear emphasis on the importance of Charles Fort's legacy as a foundational figure in the study of the unexplained. The magazine also highlights the need for financial support to continue its research endeavors, suggesting a reliance on external funding beyond membership dues.

This issue of Pursuit magazine, dated October 1973 (Volume 6, Number 4), delves into a variety of unexplained phenomena, including UFOs, cryptids, and historical mysteries. The content is primarily in English and appears to be from a US-based publisher.

Articles and Features

CHAOS AND CONFUSION

#### AN EXPANDING LIGHT BULB

This section details a peculiar incident reported by the Long Island Newsday on December 6, 1973. Maurice Swift, the owner, reported an ordinary 100-watt light bulb, originally pear-shaped with a slightly larger screw-in socket, developed a concave area on top that appeared melted. The bulb, marked '100W 120/5V DJ', was found burning brightly in a basement lamp, having expanded to the size of a large grapefruit. The other bulb in the two-socket holder had burned out. Swift contacted Ripley's Believe It or Not and General Electric, where Mike Witte, manager of production service and reliability, expressed astonishment and suggested turning off the bulb, noting that lamps that grow are not normal. Witte speculated it might have been manufactured for underwater use or with a coolant, and the lack thereof could cause expansion, but he had no definitive knowledge. He promised to inquire among GE 'old-timers' but had not reported back.

THE MYSTERY OF THE CONTINUOUS ROLL

Sabina W. Sanderson writes about a peculiar issue with a typewriter's 'continuous roll' system, a device developed by Ivan Sanderson. This system uses a two-ply 'tally roll' attached to the typewriter. Sanderson describes how, after a period of disuse, about ten inches of the white sheet extended beyond the yellow. Upon attempting to use it, the yellow sheet was on top. Reversing the roll to feed from the top corrected the order, but typing no longer produced a carbon copy on the yellow sheet. Further experimentation showed the yellow sheet had to be reversed back to front to get a carbon, suggesting only one side was treated for pressure carbon. Sanderson replaced the roll, and it has behaved normally since. She notes that there is no indication of tampering and that such a switch in the middle of a roll would be impossible to achieve during manufacturing.

Escape Artist

This is a brief, anecdotal report from Brisbane, Australia, about an Aboriginal prisoner named William Charles Haines who was released from Boggo Road jail. Shortly after his release, another William Charles Haines complained he was due for release. A check revealed the freed Haines still had three years to serve and had escaped wearing the clothes and watch of the man left inside. Police stated he could not be charged with escaping custody but possibly with stealing the other Haines's clothes.

V. ASTRONOMY

#### MORE ON THE MOONS OF MARS

Robert J. Durant discusses Immanuel Velikovsky's thesis in 'Worlds in Collision', which suggests that ancient texts by Homer and Virgil refer to the existence of Mars's moons. Durant calculates that if Mars were close enough for its moons to be visible to the naked eye as more than points of light, Mars would need to be approximately 20,000 miles away. He questions whether such a close approach, which would cause geological disturbances, would allow for accurate astronomical observations. Durant also analyzes Swift's 'Gulliver's Travels' passage about Mars's moons, suggesting that Swift might have had access to an ancient text detailing astronomical concepts beyond typical mythological interpretations. He proposes that the library at Trinity College, Dublin, might be a place to search for such a text and questions the occasion of Swift's satire against astronomers.

VII. BIOLOGY

#### GIANT SKULLS

This section, based on Chapter 6 of Ivan T. Sanderson's 'More "Things"', discusses alleged giant human skulls. A story is recounted from a letter by a woman in Idaho, whose son, an engineer in the U.S. Army during World War II, was stationed on Shemya Island. During the leveling of an elevation on the island, human remains were uncovered, along with artefacts. These remains included crania and long bones, described as modern human conformation with full foreheads, measuring 22-24 inches from base to crown, and reportedly trepanned. The son's unit was ordered to turn in all findings. The woman also alleged that a man who tried to keep some artefacts was arrested. Inquiries to the Smithsonian yielded no reply. A reliable informant later corrected details, stating the skulls were found on Niski Island, not Shemya, and that Smithsonian signs prohibited entry. This informant, serving as a Deck Engineer, saw the signs and the discovery of human remains, ivory carvings, and flint instruments. He also noted a skull, 33 inches long, with a beak-like feature, which he believed might be an Ichthyosaur but was referred to as a large human skull by army officers. The informant refused to lie to the English author, suggesting his account might be dismissed due to his lack of scientific training and interest.

PENNSYLVANIA ABSMERY, CONTINUED

This section reports on ongoing investigations into large, hairy bipeds in western Pennsylvania. It mentions a tape recording of a creature's alleged howling, with preliminary analysis by Robert E. Jones using sonagraphic methods. The analysis, conducted with the help of Kay Elemetrics, indicated that the sound frequencies fell within the usual animal range but the patterns were not humanly or mechanically produced, nor did they match any known primate. Further analysis is sought.

JOURNALISTIC IRRESPONSIBILITY

This piece criticizes the National Tattler for publishing a fabricated interview with Allen V. Noe, Director of Operations for SITU. The article, titled "Tape, Witnesses Finally Prove Abominable Snowmen Do Exist", contained statements purportedly made by Noe that he never uttered. The author clarifies that the creature's cry was recorded by an anonymous individual in western Pennsylvania and played on a local hot-line radio program, not by an investigator for SITU. The article also notes that the data on Pennsylvania ABSMS was based on investigations by the Westmoreland County UFO Study Group, and criticizes the Tattler for making it appear that SITU was making inaccurate statements or failing to credit WCUFOSG.

#### .....AND STILL THE REPORTS ROLL IN.....

By Allen V. Noe, this section compiles recent sightings of large, hairy bipeds. Reports include a creature sighted in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, described as heifer-sized with tiger-like fangs and curved horns, which caused horses to bolt. Another report from Florida describes an eight-foot-tall, hairy biped struck by a car, which then limped away. The author notes the increasing frequency of sightings, often in conjunction with hot, dry periods, and the lack of captured specimens for scientific study. He speculates on the creatures' origins and life history, suggesting a hunger for salt might be a factor.

THE BULGARIAN CYCLOPS

This report discusses a UPI dispatch from August 7, 1973, about Bulgarian archaeologists unearthing a 'cyclops' skeleton near Razlog. The skeleton, 5 feet 8 inches tall, had only one eye socket. The article notes that historical accounts of 'cyclopean skulls' were often misidentified elephant remains, but this skeleton appears genuinely human. It mentions rare medical cases of cyclopia in infants and the possibility of such a deformity occurring alone. Inquiries have been made to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sofia for more information.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores unexplained phenomena, UFOs, cryptids (like Bigfoot), and historical anomalies. There's a critical stance towards sensationalized journalism and a desire for rigorous scientific investigation, even when dealing with fringe topics. The editorial stance appears to favor open-minded inquiry into these subjects, while also acknowledging the need for factual accuracy and proper attribution of research.

Title: Pursuit
Issue: October 1973
Volume: Vol. 4
Publisher: The Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained
Country: USA
Language: English
Cover Headline: THE SO-CALLED SALZBURG CUBE

Air Pollution and Crime?

The issue begins with a report from the Ithaca New Times, dated November 25, 1973, detailing a study by medical researchers Dr. Harold Feldman and Robert Jarmon. They uncovered a correlation between air pollution, specifically oxidants from auto emissions, and the rate of assaults in Newark, N.J. The researchers speculated that chemical neuro irritants might be involved, and other doctors expressed interest in pursuing this study to explain social malaise and aid remedial action.

VIII. ANTHROPOLOGY: THE SO-CALLED SALZBURG CUBE

This section focuses on the Salzburg Steel Cube, referencing articles from the October 1973 issue of Pursuit. The author sought to locate two of the four references cited by Charles Fort. The first reference is a translation from the Comptes Rendus of the French Academy of Science, Volume 193, page 702, by a member.

Cosmology: Meteorite Found in Tertiary Lignite

This note, introduced by M. Daubree and authored by M. Gurlt, describes a piece of meteoritic or holosideric iron discovered by a worker, Mr. Riedl, of the firm Isidore-Braun & Son, while breaking lignite at Wolfsegg, Austria. The object is described as roughly a right parallelopiped with rounded edges, measuring 67mm by 62mm by 47mm and weighing 785 grams. Its surfaces have minute indentations characteristic of meteorites, and it is covered by a thin wrinkled film of magnetic oxide. The iron contains carbon and nickel, but a precise analysis has not been made. A polished section does not exhibit Widmanstatten figures, but has a cleavage resembling holosiderites. The lignite was mined underground, indicating the object was deposited during the Tertiary period.

M. Daubree's commentary, reported in Hardwicke's Science-Gossip (1887), discusses the likelihood of finding meteoric stones in stratified rocks. He notes that the lack of findings does not prove non-existence, and that coal-bearing formations are the most likely places to find fossil meteorites. The Salzburg Cube is presented as an example of such a find in Tertiary coal.

The object was found in a block of coal from Bonn, Austria, weighing 785 grammes, with a specific gravity of 7.75. It is described as hard as steel, a mass of iron alloyed with nickel and carbon.

MORE ON THE CHINESE PYRAMIDS

Ronald Dobbins provided material that should have accompanied a photograph of a Chinese pyramid in the October 1973 issue. The picture originally appeared in "Through Hidden Shensi" by Francis H. Nichols (1902).

The text describes mounds dotted across the landscape between Sian and the fords of the Wei Ho River in China. These mounds are pyramidal in shape, made of a clay different from the surrounding loess, and covered in coarse grass and low bushes. Their original shape was discernible despite erosion. They were square pyramids, approximately eighty feet high, with base lines around 300 feet, oriented to the compass points. The road from Sian to San Yuan ran directly north, and the pyramids' faces were always confronted, never corners.

These mounds are held in great veneration and are considered mysteries. The local explanation is that they mark the burial places of early emperors or great historical figures. However, the author, Francis H. Nichols, finds this theory unsatisfactory because the Chinese meticulously record their monuments and ancestor worship. No inscriptions are found near the pyramids, and the typical imperial tomb was a rounded heap of earth, not a pyramid.

Mr. Dobbins protested the implication that the size of the pyramid was problematic, particularly given the presence of a horseman in the picture, though the author notes that the Xerox copy of the halftone plate makes details unclear.

The text also references Colonel Sheahan's description of a "great" pyramid, possibly referring to the same weathered earthen structures seen by Nichols. The dimensions mentioned are 300 feet square and 80 feet high, which is not insignificant.

MEMBERS' FORUM

• Member #1416 suggests using Adolph's Meat Tenderizer paste for insect bites and fire coral cuts.
• A preliminary survey of Thunderbirds in north-central Pennsylvania was conducted the previous summer, with further investigations planned.
• Ivan Sanderson's "Invisible Residents" is available in a new hardcover edition with an updated introduction. The publisher, Thomas Y. Crowell, has a price of $7.50. A note indicates that "John and Mary" should be deleted from the list of disappearances on page 124, and the publisher misspelled "forteana". A paperback edition by Universal-Tandem Publishing Company is also planned for the UK.
• Member #61 questions the possibility of a 'black hole' passing through Earth without being captured by its gravitational field, comparing it to Earth's gravitational hold on the moon. The response acknowledges the scientific community's skepticism but notes that a small black hole could pass through Earth with minimal effect.
• Member #261 shared a sketch of a shipping crate for a Sasquatch, noting that kits are available for a small charge.

BACK ISSUES OF PURSUIT

Several back issues of Pursuit are out of print or in very short supply. Volumes 4, 5, and 6 are available in reasonable supply.

Bob Durant's original printing of his "Fitzgerald Report" (a case of documented Governmental dishonesty in investigating a UFO case) is available for $1.50, including postage.

THE IVAN T. SANDERSON MEMORIAL FUND

The fund has received enough contributions to purchase a much-needed copier. Special thanks are given to W. M. "Gerald Russell" for a substantial contribution. The fund still needs money to carry out projects such as acquiring communication equipment, professional still and motion picture camera equipment, detecting equipment, field analysis kits, optical equipment, a camper/trailer, and meteorological equipment.

Donations are tax-deductible. Bob has received a receipt for an air conditioner donated for the Annex library.

Two major projects are underway: the transcription of Charles Fort's Notes by Carl Pabst, and the microfilming of the organization's clipping files. The latter requires a second copy stored safely.

Members are encouraged to contribute financially, offer advice, or provide useful contacts.

BOOK REVIEWS

• World-Antiworlds: Antimatter in Cosmology by Hannes Alfven (1966, $3.50): Reviewed by Sabina W. Sanderson. Described as a "primer on cosmology" for the layman, it clearly explains complex scientific problems. It lacks an index but has a detailed table of contents.
• Project Cyclops: A Design Study of a System for Detecting Extraterrestrial Intelligent Life (1971): A highly technical report from Stanford/NASA/Ames Research Center. It is of interest to those with training in radioastronomy or related fields.
• Is This Your Day? by George Thommen (1964, $4.95): This book on biorhythms falls between overly technical and oversimplified accounts. It covers the history of biorhythms and provides methods for charting cycles, including tables and rulers. It emphasizes that while cycles are inexorable, they do not predict future behavior directly but serve as a warning device for "bad days" and critical days.
• The Dragon and the Disc by F. W. Holiday (1973, $7.95): Reviewed by Sabina W. Sanderson. The first part details investigations of Irish lake monsters, described as aggressive and behaving differently from those in Loch Ness. The second part discusses the author's theory linking lake monsters and UFOs as early objects of worship, represented by dragons and discs. The reviewer finds the theory interesting but fantastic and is skeptical of its broad scope, though the material on Irish lake monsters is recommended.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores unexplained phenomena, including meteorites, UFOs, and mysterious historical accounts like the Chinese pyramids. There is a clear interest in scientific investigation, as evidenced by the detailed reviews of technical reports and scientific books. The publication also engages with its readership through the "Members' Forum" and appeals for support for its research initiatives, such as The Ivan T. Sanderson Memorial Fund. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into the unexplained, while maintaining a critical perspective, as seen in the book reviews and the questioning of certain theories.