Quest - Vol 5 No 2

Magazine Overview

QUEST, Volume Five, Number Two (Whole Number 26), dated January-February 1974, is a magazine focused on UFO phenomena, civil liberties, and the occult. The cover features a striking illustration of a demonic figure and the main headline 'IN THIS ISSUE'. The price is 50¢.

Staff

The editorial staff includes Editor Kurt Glemser, Co-Editor Gerald Lovell, American Editor Ramona Clark, New Zealand Editor Rolf Huyser, Chio Editor Nark Swift, and Advisor Gene Duplantier.

Subscription Offers

Subscribers can receive free books with a one-year subscription or renewal. Offered books include 'UFOS-REALM OF THE FANTASTIC' by Dennis Stamey, 'UFOLOGY AND THE UFO' by John Prytz, and 'THE SAUCER PHENOMENON' by Kurt Glemser. Additionally, a limited number of copies of 'ROUND TRIP TO HELL IN A FLYING SAUCER' by Cecil Michael are available at a low price.

Featured Articles and Sections

American Civil Liberties Union

Authored by Steve Erdmann, this article discusses the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and its efforts to defend civil liberties. Fred Epstein, president of the St. Louis chapter, explains that the ACLU defends the rights of all, including right-wing groups and religious organizations, when their liberties are threatened. He clarifies that the ACLU does not endorse the content of material but defends the right to distribute it if civil liberties are involved. Examples include defending the right to school Amish children and cases involving the movie 'I Am Curious (Yellow)' and an adult theater in St. Louis.

Recent UFO Hostility Cases

Written by Kurt Glemser, this section details two incidents. The first involves the disintegration of an Iberian Airlines DC-9 in March 1973 after a collision with a Spanish airliner, with unexplained green paint found on the wreckage. The second case, reported by Allen Spraggett, describes the discovery of 53 dead Alaska caribou in 1972 with no visible marks, ruling out disease and lightning, and suggesting a possible 'super aircraft strafing' by an unknown craft.

Letters to the Editor

Robert Schiller questions whether QUEST exaggerates the dangers of narcotics, pornography, and sexual freedom to withhold potential benefits. He believes drug abuse is a medical issue and that 'stupid sex laws' are used to harass citizens, citing examples of recent court cases.

K.G.G. writes about a missing UFO catalog order and G.M. notes that customers sometimes do not allow enough time for delivery.

Another letter from K.G.G. discusses three mysterious disappearances over the past four years, suggesting they involve complete vanishings but not necessarily the supernatural.

Book Reviews

• GODS, DEMONS AND SPACE CHARIOTS by Eric Norman is reviewed by George Wagner. It offers new cases and interpretations, covering topics like giants and scientific oddities.
• THE DEFENSE NEVER RESTS by F. Lee Bailey is reviewed by K.G.G. It details celebrated criminal cases, including the defense of Sam Sheppard and the framing of innocent people in the Plymouth Mail Robbery.
• CRASH GO THE CHARIOTS by Clifford Wilson is reviewed by K.G.G. The review states that while the book disproves some of Erich von Däniken's arguments, Wilson's own explanations are far-fetched, and he misrepresents von Däniken's claims regarding the Nasca lines and the Pirion Reis maps.
• SATAN'S ASSASSINS by Brad Steiger and Warren Smith is reviewed by K.G.G. The review finds the book intriguing but ultimately inconclusive, noting its collection of popular cases without scientific examination. It discusses the idea of demon possession versus schizophrenia and presents historical accounts of Satanic ceremonies and alleged demonic influence in assassinations.

Behind The News

This section reports on several news items:

• The Bermuda Triangle Bibliography is available from Arizona State University.
• Gene Duplantier has released a booklet titled 'Outer Space Humour'.
• In April 1973, John Renner was sentenced in Windsor, Ontario, for possession of marijuana, with a comparison made to potential US sentencing.
• Canadian Justice Minister Otto Lang reaffirmed the government's intention to remove marijuana from the Narcotics Control Act.
• A British study found a 30% increase in newborn deaths and lower birth weights among babies whose mothers smoked during pregnancy.
• A study in Anchorage, Alaska, found that 41% of pupils in grades 6-12 had used drugs.

Newsfront

This section contains brief news items:

• A clairvoyant, Elias Mallett, predicts the next federal election in Canada and other future events.
• Brown snow fell in Bulgaria, with no explanation from meteorologists.
• Mobs in India killed 36 people suspected of witchcraft.
• Bright lights were observed over Lake Ontario, baffling officials.
• A report from the Sunday People details a 'Fire-dance ritual in a graveyard' in Stoke, North Devon, involving young people and Black Magic, where the vicar refused to prosecute.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of unexplained phenomena, particularly UFOs, and the defense of civil liberties. The editorial stance appears to favor open inquiry into controversial topics, as evidenced by the inclusion of diverse viewpoints in letters and reviews. There is a critical examination of societal issues, including drug laws and the legal system, and a willingness to discuss the occult and paranormal with a degree of skepticism towards sensationalism while acknowledging the possibility of genuine phenomena.

This issue of the Kitchener-Waterloo Record, dated May 25, 1973, features a collection of articles on paranormal phenomena, unusual events, and mysteries from around the world. The cover story, "Spook sightings cheer the lives of ghost fans," highlights reports of ghostly apparitions in Britain. Other prominent articles cover a Satanic slaying in Florida, potential Sasquatch sightings, a mysterious shipwreck discovery, and a strange slime mold incident.

Ghostly Apparitions in Britain

The lead article by Michael Cope details an "epidemic" of ghostly apparitions in Britain, primarily concentrated at archeological excavation sites and jails. At Bolton Abbey in Yorkshire, the ghost of John Clifford has reportedly caused an excavation to be abandoned. Archeologists and their families have experienced unsettling phenomena, including a wife sobbing hysterically after seeing the ghost. Another case involves the ghost of 15th-century hell-raiser John Clifford, described as a man with shoulder-length hair, wearing a jerkin and puff-sleeved shirt, appearing to be in his 30s and strong.

In prisons, particularly Dartmoor fortress jail in Cornwall, modern convicts and warders report seeing ghosts of French soldiers from the Napoleonic wars, dressed in late 18th-century uniforms, brawling over food. Wandsworth jail in London is reportedly haunted by 'Wandsworth Annie,' the phantom of a prison visitor from a century ago, whose presence is corroborated by the discovery of old Bible tracts.

Teen-ager Charged in Satanism Slaying

An Associated Press report from Daytona Beach, Florida, details the arrest of David Otis Hester, a 17-year-old from South Carolina, who was charged with first-degree murder in the torture death of Ross (Mike) Cochran. Hester, identified as "His majesty, the Devil," allegedly officiated as "high priest" at a human sacrifice. Police stated that Cochran was lashed to a makeshift altar and subjected to flogging with chains and slashing with broken glass. Nine other individuals were arrested in connection with the case, including 15-year-old Cindy Black from Toronto. The victim, Cochran, had been a student at the Green Valley School, which was under investigation for alleged cruel punishments and encouragement of sexual activities.

Sasquatch and Bigfoot Sightings

Three Vancouver fishermen reported seeing what they believe might be the legendary Sasquatch, described as a "man-like ape" with shoulder-length hair, standing about ten feet tall and appearing "sort of lightish grey." The fishermen spotted it walking slowly along the beach.

Another article discusses the book "Bigfoot: The Yeti and Sasquatch in Myth and Reality" by John Napier. It explores the phenomenon of mysterious footprints and legends of creatures like Bigfoot and the Yeti. The book reportedly concludes that Bigfoot, as a living animal, likely does not exist, but acknowledges the cultural significance of such myths. The article also mentions two young men from Metro Toronto, Michael Williamson and David Roth, who planned to travel to British Columbia to search for the Sasquatch.

Mysterious Shipwreck Discovery

A joint team of scientists and personnel from the army and RAF discovered the wreck of a ship that vanished 52 years ago off the coast of Egmont island. The ship, identified as the Elmaren, a 6000-ton Swedish cargo ship, hit a submerged reef in 1921. The wreck contained aluminum girders of a type only developed in the last 15 years, a significant mystery. The team found most of the cargo and engine blocks but no remains of the crew or lifeboats. Lloyd's Register of Shipping stated the vessel was en route from Australia to South America when it vanished, miles off its course. The Ministry of Defence noted that there were no known wrecks in that area according to the Hydrographics Office.

'Blob' Analyzed as Slime Mold

An article from The Plain Dealer reports on a strange "blob" found in Painesville Township, Ohio, which was identified by Dr. Kenneth A. Applegate of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency as a type of slime mold. The 14-by-15-inch growth was initially mistaken for sawdust and turned blood red when kicked. Two deputies stood guard overnight, and Dr. Applegate later took samples for Ohio State University students. A similar blob had caused a stir near Dallas the previous month.

The 'West Point Light'

An Associated Press report from West Point, Virginia, discusses the enduring mystery of the "West Point light" along railroad tracks at Cohoke. For years, people have been drawn to the area to see this light, which has been described as a "bright ball of fire" or a "pale luminous glow." Legends suggest it is the ghost of a decapitated conductor searching for his head. Scientific explanations point to methane combustion or gas trapped in marshland. However, former Sheriff C. T. Dunn disputes the marshland theory, suggesting the lights are from cars bouncing on the tracks or from rough dirt roads. Law enforcement has been cracking down on visitors, issuing fines and requiring litter cleanup due to vandalism and damage to nearby stores and a vacant house.

Drug Users Turning to Witchcraft

A report from Hamilton, Ontario, indicates that some drug users are turning to witchcraft in their search for spiritual influence, replacing their connection to God. Lloyd Johnston, operator of a Toronto home for youths addicted to drugs and alcohol, stated that the "drug scene is tying in with the occult and mysticism." He urged the church to become more involved with the drug cult to help users switch to God.

Real-Life Tarzan in Peru

A Reuters report from Lima, Peru, describes an explorer, Jose Arteaga, who claims to have encountered a real-life Tarzan in the Peruvian jungle. The man, named Gaston, is described as white-skinned, muscular, fast, and between 30 and 35 years old. He reportedly swung from tree to tree, caught monkeys with his bare hands, and ate them raw.

UFO Sightings in Dunedin and Uganda

An article from The Times (New Zealand) reports on an unidentified flying object (UFO) sighted over Dunedin by several people. It was described as "huge," bright yellow and red, cigar-shaped, and travelling at a minimum speed of 1800 mph. The object was observed for several seconds before disappearing. An engineer estimated its speed based on its trajectory. The Otago Harbour Board radar was not operating at the time, and the suggestion was made that it could be a weather balloon.

A report from Radio Uganda states that President Idi Amin was among several people who saw a mysterious flying object descend into Lake Victoria and then lift off like a rocket. The object was considered a sign of good luck for Uganda.

Duncan Lunan and Extraterrestrial Messages

An article by Frank Jones from The Toronto Star details the work of Duncan Lunan, a 27-year-old writer from Troon, Scotland, who claims to have decoded messages from intelligent beings in outer space. Lunan translated mysterious radio echoes recorded in the 1920s into a star map, suggesting a space probe from an exploding star sent out 13,000 years ago. His theory posits that this probe is still in orbit around Earth, sending its star map message. Lunan, who studied English and philosophy, published his theory in "Spaceflight," the journal of the British Interplanetary Society. Anthony Lawton, a British computer expert, is reportedly setting up a year-long experiment to duplicate these radio signals.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores themes of the unexplained, the paranormal, and mysterious phenomena. It presents a wide array of reports, from ghostly encounters and alleged Satanic rituals to potential cryptid sightings and UFO evidence. The articles often lean towards reporting eyewitness accounts and presenting various theories, including scientific explanations where available, but frequently highlight the unexplained nature of the events. The editorial stance appears to be one of presenting these intriguing stories to the public, encouraging curiosity and discussion about the unknown aspects of the world.