Quest - Vol 4 No 5

Magazine Overview

This issue of QUEST magazine, Volume Four, Number Five (Whole No. 24), is dated May-June, 1973, and is priced at 50¢. The cover prominently features a photograph of a flying saucer, with headlines announcing articles on "ALEISTER CROWLEY: THE WORLD'S MOST EVIL MAN," "Ghosts," and "Nessie." The magazine is published by GALAXY PRESS and appears to be based in Canada.

Editor's Notes

In the "Editor's Notes," Kurt Glemser, the editor, discusses the magazine's evolution over four years, moving from spirit duplicating to offset printing, which represented a 150% cost increase without a price change. He notes that QUEST has maintained its schedule, unlike other similar zines such as SAUCER NEWS and SAUCERS, SPACE & SCIENCE, which have ceased publication due to financial difficulties. Glemser highlights the rising costs of postage (20%) and advertising (30%), leading to a total cost increase of 200%. He mentions that even Ray Palmer's FLYING SAUCERS has seen a significant drop in circulation. To address QUEST's financial situation, Glemser outlines a two-fold plan: offering free books with subscriptions to encourage renewals and publishing special, in-depth issues on topics like the supernatural and UFOs, priced at $1.25 for non-subscribers but included as a regular issue for subscribers. The first special issue is being mailed with issue #24. Glemser invites reader comments.

Articles

Giants in America by Kurt Glemser

This article delves into various accounts of giant humanoids discovered across America and Mexico. It begins with the story of J. C. Brown, who in 1904, while searching for gold in California, discovered a tunnel leading to a room containing bones of a giant race, along with gold and copper artifacts, hieroglyphics, and drawings. Brown returned in 1934 with an expedition that never materialized.

In October 1925, near Walkerton, Indiana, eight skeletons of giant proportions, at least nine feet in length, were found buried. One skeleton was clad in copper armor, and another had an arrowhead in its skull. Relics included bone needles and stone pipes, one carved with a prehistoric monster.

The article mentions that in 1875, a similar discovery of giants was made in conical mounds in western Missouri. It also references the lore of "los gigantes" among Native Americans in the USA and Mexico, with bones of giants seven to nine feet tall found in Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, Sonora, and Chihuahua. The area in Chihuahua south of Big Bend, Texas, is known as the Plain of Giants.

Further accounts include prospectors in southwestern Nevada discovering deep caves with immense furniture and gold dishes. The Piute Indians of Nevada tell of giant red-headed cannibals, with the first mummy discovered in 1912 by James Hart and David Pugh in a cave near Lovelock, Nevada, while mining for bat guano. Thousands of artifacts and red-haired mummies have since been recovered from this cave.

Aleister Crowley: The World's Most Evil Man by Jack Matcha

This piece recounts the infamous American debut of Aleister Crowley, a figure described as the "enfant terrible of the sex cults." The narrative depicts Crowley arriving at a Long Island estate, demanding his fee of two thousand dollars from his hostess, and then shockingly defecating on a Persian carpet, claiming his excreta possessed magical powers. The article highlights Crowley's background, born in Leamington, England, to a wealthy brewer, and his early signs of exceptional intelligence coupled with a sadistic streak. His childhood fascination with cruelty and his shocking conversations foreshadowed his later life.

Crowley developed a hatred for religion and respectability, leading to his expulsion from school for homosexual activities. His mother reportedly screamed that he was the "Great Beast" prophesied in Revelation, a notion he embraced, signing his letters "The Beast" or "666." This marked the beginning of his involvement with black magic and devil worship.

The article details Crowley's early life, including his inheritance and promiscuous behavior, his creation of his own temple with a member of the Golden Dawn, and his involvement in drug-fueled parties and homosexual encounters. His subsequent move to a castle in Scotland involved further occult rites with neighbors, using opium, ergot, cocaine, and snakeroot, leading to visions and terrifying the local townfolk who feared he might conjure the Loch Ness Monster.

Crowley's life continued with bizarre and shocking acts, including his time in Mexico engaging in masochistic acts with diseased prostitutes. He later moved to Greenwich Village, posing as an Irish patriot. His temple in Sicily was known for its sex magic ceremonies, which eventually led to its closure by authorities. The article touches upon his financial struggles, his attempts to raise money through various schemes like a restaurant and a perfume made from his own feces, and his legal battles.

His final years were spent in poverty in Hastings, England. He died in December 1947, reportedly after demanding more morphine, and the doctor who refused him died 18 hours later, a coincidence Crowley had allegedly cursed.

"Round Trip to Hell in a Flying Saucer" by Cecil Michael

This is a promotional blurb for a book by Cecil Michael, available for $3.50. It is described as a limited number of copies of a previously out-of-print book.

Ghosts and Nessie

These are listed as topics within the issue, suggesting articles or sections dedicated to these paranormal subjects.

Other Content

Back Issues and Books

The magazine lists its back issue prices: #1&2 for $1.00, #3-14 for 75¢, and #15-23 for 50¢. It also advertises several books for sale, including "THE TRUTH ABOUT THE MEN IN BLACK" by R. Clark ($2), "THEY WALK AMONG US" by Glemser & Saunders ($2), "UFOS-REALM OF THE FANTASTIC" by Dennis Stamey ($2.00), "UFOs: THE UNKNOWN FACTOR" by Erich Aggen, Jr. ($2.00), "UFOLOGY AND THE UFO" by John Prytz ($2.00), and "THE SAUCER PHENOMENON" by Kurt Glemser ($2.50). It also promotes "SAUCERS, SPACE & SCIENCE," a Canadian UFOzine edited by Gene Duplantier, with issues #1-5 available for $1.00 each.

Ads

There is a subscription form for QUEST magazine, offering 6 issues for $3.00 and 12 issues for $5.50. It also includes advertisements for "UNSOLVEABLE PUZZLES FOR SPEED FREAKS" and "EXPLODING JOINT!" and "PEYOTE FLAVORED TOOTHPASTE."

Newsfront

This section covers various news items:

• Vincent "The Cat" Siciliano: An alleged mob leader was chosen as a juror in Queens county court, despite a criminal record.
• Law Changes: Mentions of unusual laws, such as shooting deer from a stagecoach.
• Governor Rockefeller's Drug Bill: A proposed bill calling for mandatory life sentences for drug pushers and users involved in violent crimes faced criticism from the New York Civil Liberties Union and legislators. The bill aimed to deter crime and drug abuse.
• Mayor Lindsay and Drug Laws: The state has a law making the sale of over a pound of dangerous drugs punishable by 15 years to life imprisonment.
• Opposition to Plea Bargaining: Two New York judges opposed abolishing plea bargaining, arguing it would clog the courts. The article questions the disparity in sentencing between drug pushers and murderers.
• Drug Use and Crime: Concerns are raised that the law might encourage drug users to kill witnesses to avoid detection.
• Hashish vs. Heroin: The article criticizes lumping hashish (a non-addictive drug) with heroin (addictive).
• Law Enforcement vs. Doctors: The magazine suggests that drug issues should be handled by doctors rather than law enforcement.
• Kitchener Police and Pornography: Police in Kitchener warned a bookshop owner to remove "333 titles" considered pornographic, including bestsellers like "The Sensuous Man."

Bullshit Story of the Month

This section critiques a TV-Radio Mirror article titled "Chad Everett: 'We Want to Adopt a Son, but I'm Afraid of Getting an LSD Baby!'" by Jay Fisher. The article claims Chad Everett expressed concerns about adopting a child with addiction or chromosome damage due to LSD use. The author of this piece in QUEST argues that LSD is not physically addictive and that chromosome damage is temporary and not passed on to offspring, suggesting that Coca-Cola, cigarettes, and coffee cause similar temporary damage. The piece dismisses the TV-Radio Mirror article as "bullshit."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of QUEST magazine strongly leans into the paranormal, occult, and controversial. The prominent feature on Aleister Crowley, a figure associated with black magic and sex cults, underscores the magazine's interest in the darker, more extreme aspects of human behavior and belief systems. The inclusion of articles on "Giants in America," "Ghosts," and "Nessie" further solidifies its focus on unexplained phenomena and folklore. The "Newsfront" section, while covering current events, often frames them through a lens of critique, particularly regarding government policies on drugs and law enforcement actions, suggesting a distrust of established authorities and a preference for alternative viewpoints. The magazine's editorial stance appears to be one that challenges conventional narratives and explores subjects often considered fringe or taboo, with a critical eye towards media portrayals, as seen in the "Bullshit Story of the Month" segment.

QUEST magazine, Volume 12, October 1972, published by Sunday People, presents a diverse collection of articles exploring unexplained phenomena, mysteries, and the paranormal. The issue features reports on cryptids like Nessie and the Abominable Snowman, ghostly encounters, and potential UFO sightings, alongside commentary on censorship.

Censorship and Society

The issue opens with a commentary on censorship, quoting Mike Sheppard of Kitchener, who argues that censorship expresses contempt for the average person and that authorities do not believe such material harms them, only the general public. A study in Ottawa suggests that possession, sale, and distribution of sexual-explicit material should no longer be penalized for adults. The article notes recent raids on strip clubs, questioning the timing of police intervention.

Nessie: The Loch Ness Monster

Several articles focus on the enduring mystery of the Loch Ness Monster. Monster hunter Frank Searle captured a photograph of Nessie, visible for only 12 seconds, showing two humps and a fin. He has sighted the creature 17 times and has dedicated three years to its pursuit. The Loch Ness Phenomena Investigation Bureau is studying the pictures. The article also mentions a £1 million prize offered by Cutty Sark for the capture of Nessie. Tim Dinsdale, another dedicated monster hunter, discusses his 13 years of research, including filming a 'black telegraph pole' object and a snake-like creature. He has quit his job to pursue Nessie full-time and has had his films analyzed by the RAF, which declared the object 'probably animate.' Dinsdale expresses frustration that the government has never sponsored a probe into the phenomenon.

Other Cryptids: Abominable Snowman and Bigfoot

John Mendels writes about the ongoing chase for the Abominable Snowman, with an American scientific team attempting to find it in the Himalayas. The article also touches upon other cryptids like the Orang Pendek, Nandi Bear, and Mngwa. Bigfoot, or Sasquatch, is presented as North America's version of the Snowman, with over 750 reported sightings. A controversial film sequence taken by former rodeo rider Roger Patterson is mentioned as intriguing evidence.

Paranormal Encounters: Ghosts and Seances

The issue includes reports of ghostly activity. In Wolverhampton, the 'White Lady' ghost at the Stag's Head tavern has reportedly disappeared after structural changes to the pub. A haunted inn, the New Inn in Backwell, Somerset, is said to be disturbed by the spirit of a gin-swigging landlady. A more disturbing account details a 'terrible experience' of five schoolboys in Hainault, Essex, after a seance, leading to one boy becoming possessed and attacking his friends, prompting the vicar to perform an exorcism.

Unexplained Events and Mysteries

A mysterious event in Montauroux, France, is described where a peasant found 330 square yards of ground flattened, with trees coiled and twisted, and a dry stone wall projected. Police and scientific investigations have yielded no explanation, leading to local speculation about flying saucers. Additionally, a large naval search operation involving 50 vessels was conducted off the Norwegian coast due to sightings of a 'phantom submarine' or 'grisly monster.'

Publications and Organizations

The magazine mentions various related publications and organizations, including the Loch Ness Phenomena Investigation Bureau, the RAF, and advertisements for 'CAVEAT EMPTOR' magazine and 'QUEST' subscriptions with free book offers. It also lists contact information for research groups focused on UFO phenomena and related events.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are cryptozoology (Nessie, Abominable Snowman, Bigfoot), paranormal phenomena (ghosts, seances), and unexplained aerial or sea events (UFOs, phantom submarines). The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, presenting evidence and accounts from researchers and witnesses, while acknowledging skepticism and the need for further investigation. The issue champions the pursuit of truth in the face of conventional scientific or governmental indifference.