Searchlight - Vol 3 No 03

Magazine Overview

This issue of SEARCHLIGHT, published by the INTERPLANETARY NEWS SERVICE, is dated February 1967 and is identified as Volume 3, Number 3. The cover headline, "IS OUTER SPACE, CALLING?", introduces a lead article by John A. Keel exploring unusual telephone incidents that may be related to UFO phenomena.

Is Outer Space, Calling?

John A. Keel's article details a series of strange telephone occurrences across the United States. Between January and April 1967, UFO witnesses in West Virginia reported receiving phone calls with steady 'beeping sounds' or voices that sounded like 'speeded up phonograph records,' speaking in Spanish or Puerto Rican very fast. Similar voices were picked up on CB radios during UFO sightings in 1966. In August 1966, a voice cut into commercial radio channels in Minnesota, announcing 'Stand by for a message from outer space...' which never materialized. The article also mentions the home of Mr. and Mrs. James Lilly in Pt. Pleasant, W.Va., where their TV set experiences intense interference during UFO flights, and Mrs. Lilly reported hearing a baby cry when none was present. Her daughter also experienced a phone call where the line went dead, followed by a voice speaking in an unknown language. The Lillys' car has also experienced stalling issues, with no normal explanations found.

Canadian Saucer Contact Report

Mechanic Steve Michelak from Winnipeg reported an encounter on May 28th with a strange object that descended from the sky. He described it as having a red figure and rainbow-like reflections, and it burned a hole in his shirt with radiating heat. Voices, described as definitely human, came from the craft, but were unintelligible due to the craft's sound. Michelak attempted to communicate in English, Russian, German, Italian, and Polish, but the object's 'door closed' and heat emanated from it before it moved in an anti-clockwise direction and departed.

Eerie Voice on Telephone Gives Reporter Orders

A report from W. Frankfort, Illinois, details a mysterious telephone call received by a DAILY AMERICAN reporter on February 12th, 1967. The anonymous caller, with an eerie echo and 'wayout' background sounds, ordered the newsman to be at a specific mine pond at 3:15 a.m. Sunday and to come alone. The voice even called the reporter by name. Five employees heard the call, and while some were amused, others were shaken. They noted the caller's talent and sophisticated equipment, speculating it was not a recording due to its reaction to requests for others to listen. The incident was believed to be inspired by recent 'saucer sightings' in the area.

Gordon Cooper's Transmission Interruption

A particularly baffling incident occurred during Astronaut Gordon Cooper's fourth pass over Hawaii in FAITH 7 on May 15th, 1963. Cooper's voice transmission was interrupted by 'unintelligible foreign language transmission' on channels reserved for space flights. NASA recorded this transmission but has been unable to identify its source or translate it.

Strange Disclosure from John Reeves

John Reeves of Brooksville, Florida, revealed in a personal letter that his first encounter with a saucer and its pilot in 1965 included boarding the 'space ship.' This information was previously undisclosed because Reeves felt people would not believe his story. More details are promised for the next issue.

Ancient Harmonics

Ronald Calais reports on ancient legends and myths that speak of a time when humans had control over the powerful forces of nature, often involving sound and vibrations. These legends, found in Greek dialogues and folklore from Ireland, the West Indies, and ancient Indian Sanskrit records, describe people flying without wings by using 'plates' and making music or songs. The article highlights the lack of physical evidence for these tales, but points to a significant discovery reported in SPUTNIK magazine. Russian archaeologists found 776 stone discs in the mountains bordering China and Tibet, estimated to be 12,000 years old. These discs, resembling 'gramophone records,' have a central hole and spiral grooves. Chinese archaeologists could not explain their purpose or origin. Russian scientists discovered that the discs contain traces of cobalt and vibrate as if carrying an electric charge when scraped. The article also mentions the discovery of 12,000-year-old skeletons in the same caves, belonging to humans with huge craniums and underdeveloped skeletons. A parallel is drawn to gifts given to Cortez by the Aztec Emperor Montezuma, which included two gold discs grooved according to 'Personal Vibrations.' The author suggests that the 'electric charge' and the need for human beings with large craniums to produce such artifacts align with ancient legends.

Winchester House

Cosette Willoughby writes about the Winchester Mystery House, built by Sarrah Winchester, the widow of the Winchester rifle inventor. After losing her husband and child, Sarrah became a spiritualist and was told she would never die if she continued to build onto her house. For 30 years, she spent lavishly, turning the house into a 'monstrosity.' Today, the house is a tourist attraction. Willoughby describes the house's strange features, including stairways leading to the ceiling, doors opening into walls, and one-inch deep stairs designed for Sarrah's arthritis. She also mentions two undriven Rolls-Royces and expensive cut glass windows. Willoughby expresses a desire to have known Sarrah, believing she was not the 'crackpot' she is portrayed as.

Driver Spots UFO in Road in Virginia

On April 22nd, 1967, C.N. Crowder, manager of a Mobil Chemical Co. warehouse in South Blade, Virginia, reported seeing an object in the middle of the road around 9 p.m. He described it as a metal storage tank, about 12 feet in diameter and aluminum in color, sitting on legs about 3.5 feet high. As he turned on his bright lights, a tremendous burst of white fire shot out from the bottom of the object and it ascended rapidly. The road where the object had been caught fire, and police officers found a 'black burned spot.' Crowder confirmed the sighting with another driver.

Guest Editorial: Peace in Space?

Dr. Daniel V. Fry, editor of UNDERSTAND MAGAZINE, discusses the UN Subcommittee on Outer Space's treaty to ban war from outer space. He notes that while the treaty's value depends on the sincerity of signatories, its completion by the US and Soviet Union is significant, especially given the growing antagonism with Red China. Fry suggests this might be a move by the Soviet Union to seek new allies or improve relations with the Free World. He acknowledges the treaty doesn't guarantee territorial integrity or freedom on celestial bodies but calls it a good start, leading to the consideration of 'peace on Earth.' The editorial notes Timothy Green Beckley's role in requesting an international UFO study, with positive responses from communist and free world countries.

USSR Official Publication Supports Worldwide Saucer Watch

The June 1967 issue of SPUTNIK, an official Russian publication, featured a letter from Timothy Green Beckley requesting an international UFO study. Positive responses and reports, including photos, were received from Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Romania, and the free world. The SPUTNIK editorial board includes Russian astronauts Yuri Gagarin and Vladimir Komarov, and Mstislau Kedlysh, president of the USSR Academy of Science.

Book & Record News

This section promotes several items: 'STRANGER AT THE PENTAGON,' a book by Rev. Frank E. Stranges, featuring over 200 UFO photos and details of a meeting with 'Val Thor'; 'STRANGERS FROM SPACE,' an LP record with an hour-long interview with James W. Moseley; and 'ANCIENT HARMONICS,' a book by Ronald Calais, which is also available. It also mentions a book on Moth Man and Dero Contacts.

News Briefs

Frank Edwards, author of 'FLYING SAUCERS SERIOUS BUSINESS,' died on June 22nd of an apparent heart attack. Timothy Green Beckley's book, 'HIDDEN WORLDS REVEALED (The Richard Shaver Story),' is scheduled for release in late August and is available for advance order.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around unexplained phenomena, including UFO sightings, mysterious communications (telephone and radio), and ancient mysteries potentially linked to extraterrestrial intelligence. The magazine also touches upon geopolitical aspects related to space exploration and peace. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, presenting reports and theories without definitive conclusions, encouraging readers to consider possibilities beyond conventional explanations. The inclusion of a guest editorial on space peace and reports from international sources suggests a broad perspective on the UFO phenomenon and its implications.