Quest - Vol 5 No 4

Magazine Overview

Title: QUEST
Issue: VOL. FIVE NO. FOUR (WHOLE NO. 28)
Date: JULY-AUGUST, 1974
Price: 75¢

This issue of QUEST magazine features a cover illustration of a pterodactyl-like creature and highlights a "1974 BOOK CATALOG" within. The content spans various topics including alleged subterranean cities, mythological creatures, UFO sightings, and criminal activities.

The Western Key by Michael Watson

This article explores numerous accounts of alleged underground cities and cavern systems in western North America. The author posits that these locations often follow a geometric pattern.

• Key locations and claims include:
• Portland, Oregon area: A subterranean city 75 miles northwest of Portland, reportedly eight to ten miles underground, with over a million inhabitants and a spaceport, based on information from George Wagner, Jr. and a Mr. Azerland.
• Cascades: In 1904, J. C. Brown discovered an artificial tunnel with metal shields, carvings, and human bones of gigantic proportions.
• Mount Shasta: This peak is linked to underground habitation stories, particularly through Wishar Cerve's book "LEMURIA, THE LOST CONTINENT OF THE PACIFIC." Accounts suggest tall, majestic people live there, and a concealed tunnel was reportedly sighted.
• Casa Diablo region, California: Near Bishop, explorers found a steeply slanting shaft leading to a horizontal tunnel with a stone door, a carved human face, and strange music.
• Death Valley: Piute Indian legends speak of an ancient subterranean city, with inhabitants divided into benevolent (Hav-Mu-Suvs) and destructive (U-Nu-Pits) groups.
• Southwestern Nevada: Prospectors reportedly found a cavern system with gigantic furniture and gold dishes, as told by Leland Lovelace.
• White Mountains, Arizona: Apache traditions mention the Ga'n, a race who moved underground and are considered deities.
• Binger, Oklahoma: A mound is associated with a story of a 16th-century Spaniard from the Coronado expedition who entered a subterranean world and never returned, leaving a scroll.
• Near McAlester, Oklahoma: A large cavern with a descending staircase is described, where a group was attacked by man-like creatures.

The author emphasizes that direct investigation is the surest way to prove or disprove these tales and calls for well-documented expeditions to explore the underworld.

Cyclops: By Gerald Lovell

• This section discusses the myth of the Cyclops, a one-eyed creature from Greek mythology.
• Philosophical and Historical Accounts: Philosopher Empedocles suggested the skeleton of Homer's Polyphemus might be from dwarf elephants. Giovanni Boccaccio also described similar finds in Sicily, referencing Empedocles.
• Paleontological Explanation: Austrian Paleontologist Othenio Abel suggests that sailors finding elephant skulls in Sicily, mistaking the nasal cavity for a single eye socket, led to the myth.
• Recent Discovery: In July 1973, during excavations near Razlog, Bulgaria, archaeologists uncovered a one-eyed human skeleton, measuring five feet eleven inches, with a single eye socket in the forehead. A Sofia university team plans further investigation.

The Mysterious

• This section presents several disparate reports:
• Sasquatch Sightings: Multiple sightings in Pennsylvania are described, including a hairy face at a window, a creature in a graveyard, and one snatching meat from a parked car. A recording of a creature's cry is also mentioned.
• Moon and Crime: Psychiatrists at the University of Miami School of Medicine studied homicides in Miami and Cuyahoga County, finding a marked increase in murders during new and full moons, often of a bizarre nature. Dr. Arnold Lieber suggests the moon may cause biological tides.
• Blue Rooster: In Sproughton, England, a rooster named Charlie inexplicably turned blue.

UFO Reports and Other Incidents

• Skylab II Mission: Astronauts reported seeing a strange reddish object about fifty miles from their craft. Dr. Owen Garrett described it as brighter than any planet.
• Falkville, Alabama: Policeman Jeff Greenshaw photographed a humanoid creature in a metallic outfit that approached him like a robot before fleeing when he activated his cruiser's flashing lights.
• Bradenton, Florida: Patrick Thrush photographed a UFO hovering over water with a tube extending to the surface.
• Witness Verification: The Florida UFO sighting was reportedly verified by two independent witnesses, including John Dowdy, who saw a "bright orange object, going really fast."
• Archbishop of Canterbury on Possession: Dr. Michael Ramsey stated that while some "possessed persons" might be genuine, the majority are "fiddlesticks."
• Chicago Police Department Incident: A naked man with two unclothed women streaked through the traffic headquarters, described as giggling and moving erratically.
• London Casino Robbery: Five masked men attempted to rob a casino, but the "banknotes" they stole turned out to be bundles of used playing cards.

Newsfront

• Peruvian Connection: Police are combating a major drug trade originating from the Peruvian Andes, targeting the US and Europe. This involves large quantities of cocaine, opium, and hallucinatory pills. Peruvian police have seized significant amounts of drugs, and numerous arrests have been made.
• RCMP Drug Bust: A former Vancouver RCMP drug squad sergeant was found guilty of possessing and trafficking stolen hashish, which had been taken from RCMP headquarters. He claimed the money used to purchase a business was found under a tree stump.
• Antique Dealer Testimony: An antique dealer testified about arranging the sale of hash for $34,000, with the former sergeant receiving $20,000.

Checking Her Costume

This section features a photo of Sandy Shore, an exotic dancer, and mentions the 1974 Miss Nude Cosmopolitan Contest. It includes a quote from a dancer about being accustomed to appearing nude.

Subscription Offer

An offer is made to examine the free book with each subscription to QUEST in the UFO Catalog section.

Raquel Welch

Pages 9 and 10 feature a photo spread of actress Raquel Welch.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the unexplained, fringe phenomena, and sensational news. The editorial stance appears to be one of presenting various accounts, from alleged underground civilizations and cryptids to UFO sightings and even criminal activities, often with a sensationalist undertone. The emphasis on proof and direct investigation, particularly regarding subterranean cities, suggests a desire for empirical evidence within the realm of the extraordinary. The inclusion of diverse topics like mythology, drug busts, and celebrity photos indicates a broad appeal to readers interested in the unusual and sensational aspects of life.

'Spooks' is a magazine that delves into paranormal phenomena, ghost stories, UFO sightings, and unexplained events. This issue, published by the Kitchener-Waterloo Record on Wednesday, October 31, 1973, features a lead story titled 'Spooks' by Philomena Rutherford, accompanied by illustrations by Bert Bullock.

Haunted House in Waterloo

The main article details a haunting in a home in Waterloo, Canada, experienced by a housewife and her family. The activity is attributed to the spirit of her husband's deceased grandmother, who had a fondness for wine and cinnamon. The phenomena reported include doors opening and closing on their own, lights and the television turning on, cold touches, and items mysteriously disappearing or moving. The housewife describes how the activity escalated, including seeing 'Victoria holiday sparklers' and experiencing a cold hand grip her arm. The haunting also affected the children, with one son claiming someone lay beside him and another experiencing a 'ball of fire' in her room. The family has learned to live with the presence, though the housewife expresses concern about potential future build-ups.

Expert Opinions on the Paranormal

The article includes insights from Professor Roger Smook, who teaches parapsychology at the University of Guelph. He discusses poltergeists and apparitions, noting that they are often connected with teenagers and that poltergeists can move with the person. The piece also references Dr. A. R. George Owen, a scientist and investigator of parapsychology, who notes the unusual combination of poltergeists and apparitions.

Noah's Ark Theories

Another significant section explores the theory that ancient timbers found on Mount Ararat are remnants of Noah's Ark. Fernand Navarra, a French demolition expert, discovered these timbers. Professor R. K. Harrison of the Toronto School of Theology believes the artifact is real and that the ark could be there, interpreting Genesis stories as ancient history. However, Professor John S. Halladay Jr. of the University of Toronto is skeptical, considering the flood story a myth common in ancient traditions. The article mentions a 1969 expedition that found planking, but the wood was not old enough to be from the ark. Ralph Lenton, a polar explorer, expresses hope for future scientific exploration of the Navarra site.

Unusual Incidents

The issue also reports on two distinct unusual incidents:

• Impersonators in Jonesboro, Arkansas: Two men were fined for impersonating visitors from outer space after startling motorists by jumping in front of cars while dressed in silver suits.
• Fish Attack in Miami Beach: Swimmers and surfers at Haulover Beach were attacked by schools of bluefish and jacks, resulting in numerous injuries and the closure of the beach.

Advertising and Publications

The latter pages of the magazine are dedicated to advertising various books and publications related to UFOs, the occult, and the paranormal. These include 'Caveat Emptor,' 'Spaceview,' 'Dimensions,' and 'Spectrum' magazines, as well as a catalog of books from Galaxy Press covering topics such as flying saucers, the hollow earth, witchcraft, and ancient mysteries. Titles like 'The Stranger at the Pentagon,' 'The White Sands Incident,' and 'My Visit to Venus' are featured.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the unexplained, the supernatural, and the possibility of extraterrestrial or spiritual presences. The magazine appears to present a platform for exploring these phenomena, featuring personal accounts, expert opinions, and theories, while also acknowledging skepticism. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry into subjects often dismissed by mainstream science, encouraging readers to consider possibilities beyond the conventional.