Quest - Vol 5 No 3

Magazine Overview

Title: Quest
Issue Date: January-February 1974

This issue of Quest magazine delves into a variety of topics, including customer feedback, legal disputes, paranormal phenomena, and new religious movements.

Letters to the Editor

The issue opens with letters from readers. Mike Core expresses his satisfaction with the company's service, highlighting their efficiency in filling orders and appreciating their efforts to source books from other companies. He commends the speed of delivery, noting his last order arrived in just 7 days.

Robert Schiller compliments the magazine's Jan-Feb 1974 issue, finding it rich with UFO and Fortean items. He inquires about the role of other editors, noting that only Kurt Glemser's contributions seem to be featured. A note from the editorial staff clarifies that other editors contribute by providing clippings, ideas, and articles from various writers, without whom the magazine could not function.

A lengthy exchange is presented between R. G. Hall of Hampton Press and the Quest editorial team, concerning payment for articles written by Mr. Hervey. Hampton Press asserts that Mr. Hervey, an author listed in the Guinness Book of Records, charges a minimum fee of $30 per article. They claim nine articles were provided between May 1970 and April 1971, and under normal circumstances, payment would be $270. However, due to Quest's circulation being "only in the hundreds," Mr. Hervey agreed to accept subscriptions in exchange for his manuscripts. Hampton Press disputes Quest's offer of back issues, a book review, and used stamps as inadequate compensation for the $270 value of the manuscripts. They threaten legal action to collect the full value if Quest does not abide by the agreement, which includes providing Mr. Hervey with free copies as per a previous letter from September 1971, and supplying missing back issues (9, 10, 14, 16, 17).

Quest's response, seemingly from Kurt Glemser, refutes Hampton Press's claims. He states that Mr. Hervey originally sent the articles in exchange for issues of Quest, providing nine articles, three of which were not published. Quest argues there was no contract signed and therefore no basis for an invoice. They emphasize that Quest is not a profit-making venture and has never paid for articles, and that Mr. Hervey, like other contributors, received a free issue of each publication. Glemser also points out that Mr. Hervey himself wrote in a letter, "I find Quest-UFO Report most invaluable in connection with my work on UFO books," indicating he received and valued the magazine. He also mentions running an advertisement for Mr. Hervey's book twice. The dispute escalates with Mr. Hervey allegedly requesting Canadian stamps for his son's collection and then demanding more stamps unless regularly supplied with authentic UFO photos, which Glemser found excessive given the postage cost.

UFO Sightings and Reports

Hamilton, New Zealand Sighting

Linda Thompson reports a sensational sighting of a "squad of flying saucers" over Hamilton, New Zealand. Approximately 40 unidentified flying objects were observed hovering for several minutes by two men, Alex Henderson and a friend. Henderson initially spotted one object in the sky, described as round, dark green, and about 30,000 feet high. Later, about 40 more objects appeared from a dark cloud, described as "sound dumpy things" in tight formation, moving towards Cambridge. Henderson, initially skeptical of UFOs, was convinced by the sighting. Airport officials reportedly laughed at his suggestion of an investigation.

Weather Balloons Cause UFO Reports

An article from Atlanta, AP, explains that a new rash of unidentified flying object reports across the southern United States was prompted by weather research balloons. The National Weather Service reported launching large balloons, one 150 feet in diameter in Palestine, Texas, drifting over Mississippi at 50,000 feet, and another in Montgomery, Alabama, reaching 85,000 feet. Elgin Air Force Base also announced high-atmospheric rocket tests that could release glowing gasses, potentially mistaken for UFOs. Despite these explanations, residents in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina inundated local authorities with UFO reports. A television station in Mobile, Alabama, attempted to film UFOs based on a psychic's prediction, but none were sighted.

"The Blob" in New York

Jim Guarnere of Spencerport, New York, reported finding a substance similar to "The Blob," previously reported in Texas, in his backyard. His son, Chris, discovered it in a planter. Experts theorize these blobs are mutated bacteria or fungi.

Space Engineer Finds UFO Proof in Bible

An article details how engineer Josef Blumrich, who worked on the Skylab space shuttle and Saturn V rocket, claims to have found proof of extraterrestrial landings in the Bible. After reading Erich Von Daniken's "Chariot of the Gods," Blumrich applied space technology principles to the Old Testament text of Ezekiel. He developed engineering drawings of a craft described by the prophet, which he believes was a shuttle vehicle used for travel between Earth and an orbiting mother ship, similar to techniques used by U.S. moon visitors. He suggests this technology is more advanced than anything man will possess within the next 20 years.

Senator Goldwater Believes in Space Creatures

Senator Barry Goldwater, a retired U.S. Air Force general, stated his belief that Earth has been visited by creatures from outer space. He cited accounts from air force, navy, and airline pilots who have seen unidentified objects on their wings, leading him to believe these phenomena are real.

Visitor Wouldn't Surprise Spaceman

Skylab 1 crew chief Pete Conrad expressed that he wouldn't be surprised if visitors from space appeared, given the vastness of the universe with its billions of stars and planets. He views it as unlikely that Earth is the only planet harboring life.

Mystery Substance: Sky Falling?

Esther Kochanowicz of Alden, New York, reported that a chunk of frozen green substance fell through her roof, narrowly missing her. Deputies estimated the object to be about 1.5 feet in diameter and weighing between 50 and 75 pounds. It shattered upon impact, creating a hole in the roof. Officials from the Federal Aviation Administration were investigating.

Salem Witchcraft Trial Testimony Released

This section presents testimony from the 1692 Salem witchcraft trials, published for the first time. It includes accounts of alleged afflictions by witches, such as Benjamin Hutchinson's statement about his wife's suffering and Mary Walcott's testimony about seeing invisible witches. Interrogation transcripts show magistrates questioning individuals about their involvement with witchcraft.

A Bit Wacky—But These Cults Soothe the Soul

By Rhona Kane, Staff Writer

This article explores the rise of new religions and cult groups in the 20th century, citing psychologist and author Christopher Evans. Evans believes this phenomenon is a normal development, driven by people's need for purpose when traditional religions and science fail to provide answers. He notes that while many sects appear comical, they fulfill a basic human need. The article highlights flying saucer cults, such as the Aetherius Society, which receives messages from outer space and relays them through a leader. Evans suggests that figures like Jesus might have been con men who inadvertently started movements that outgrew them. He also warns that while some new religions are enriching and harmless, others can foster destructive philosophies. Ultimately, he asserts that religion, regardless of its form, remains essentially a force for good.

Masochists Dance in Trance

By Murray J. Brown, UPI Travel Editor

This piece describes the "horse trance dance" in Jogjakarta, Indonesia, where participants engage in self-hypnosis, feeling no pain while being whipped and subjected to other ordeals. The dance is performed on oven-hot temple grounds, with participants straddling bamboo horse frames and dancing to music until they collapse or reach a frenzy. The article also touches upon Jogjakarta's culture, its batik and silver crafts, art galleries, and the impressive Buddhist temple of Borobudur and the Hindu temple complex of Prambana.

Spaceship in Texas Was Hoax

L. J. Lorenzen, director of the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization, states that the alleged crash of a "spaceship" and burial of its pilot in Aurora, Texas, in April 1897, is a "patent hoax." He dismisses recent findings of mysterious metal bits as ordinary aluminum alloy, likely present on the property since 1967 and possibly within the last 60 days. Lorenzen cites an investigation in 1967 by Alfred E. Kraus, director of the Kilgore Research Institute, which found only ordinary metal objects like rings and stove lids at the alleged crash site.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Quest magazine revolve around the unexplained, the paranormal, and alternative belief systems. There is a clear interest in UFO sightings, with reports from various locations and attempts to provide explanations, such as weather balloons. The magazine also explores the phenomenon of new religions and cults, presenting them as a response to a perceived void in traditional structures. The legal case involving a satanic cult highlights the darker side of such groups. The inclusion of historical accounts like the Salem witchcraft trials and interpretations of ancient texts like Ezekiel suggest a broad interest in phenomena that challenge conventional understanding. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, presenting various perspectives and reports, while also offering explanations and debunking claims when evidence suggests a hoax.