Stigmata - Issue 04

Magazine Overview

Title: STIGMATA
Issue: NUMBER FOUR
Date: SUMMER 1978
Price: ONE DOLLAR

This issue of STIGMATA, published by Project Stigma, focuses on the continuing investigation into animal mutilations. The cover headline announces "THE PROJECT STIGMA REPORT ON THE CONTINUING INVESTIGATION INTO THE OCCURRENCE OF ANIMAL MUTILATIONS." The magazine is presented as an essential and integral aspect of existence, aiming to progress and evolve in its research.

Editorial and Subscription Information

The publication was intended as a "July" issue but is presented as "Summer 1978." The "Fall 1978" edition will be issued before Thanksgiving and will also cost $1.00. Readers are advised not to subscribe to any issues beyond the "Fall 1978" edition due to upcoming changes. To receive the "Fall 1978" STIGMATA, readers can send $1.00 (cash preferred) to Project Stigma, P.O. Box 1094, Paris, Texas 75460.

Project Stigma is preparing for a new investigative phase, which may lead to a temporary hiatus of several months. A new publication or a revised STIGMATA is expected sometime in 1979. Subscribers beyond the "Fall 1978" issue will receive the proper amount of issues after publication resumes. The organization's mission is to probe the wave of animal mutilations and deaths, coordinating and assisting information-gathering efforts by agencies and individuals.

1978 RAGES ON! - Animal Mutilations in the First Half of 1978

The magazine details numerous animal mutilation occurrences reported during the first half of 1978, requesting readers to report any omissions. Mutilation victims are typically cattle unless otherwise specified.

• January:
• Nebraska: Perkins Co.
• Alabama: Limestone Co. (hogs) - One source says 20, another 40 hogs found dead with skulls missing, some with empty brain cavities. At least six hogs remained unharmed.

• February:
• Texas: Duval Co.
• Arkansas: Howard Co.
• Washington: Skagit Co. (horse) - A classic horse mutilation occurred in Salt Lake City, Utah, in late December. In early January, a prized thoroughbred in Carroll Co., Arkansas, was killed by a single blow to the snout but not mutilated, preceded by UFO sightings. The Carroll Co. horse's death was attributed to a precise blow. Details on the Skagit Co. horse death are scarce, with authorities uncooperative.

• March:
• Wyoming: Big Horn Co.
• Virginia: Goochland Co. - At least 9 cows, perhaps as many as 17.

• April:
• Virginia: Goochland Co. - Continuing a 3-week wave begun in March.
• Mississippi: Copiah Co.
• Arkansas: Benton Co. - 6 cattle, 1 horse.
• Texas: Webb Co.
• Wyoming: Big Horn Co.
• Wyoming: Natrona Co.
• Missouri: Lincoln Co.
• New Mexico: Rio Arriba Co.

• May:
• Arkansas: Benton Co. (horse)
• Arkansas: Logan Co.
• Kansas: Rice Co. (2)
• Oregon: Linn Co. (horse)
• New Mexico: Rio Arriba Co. (3)
• Mississippi: Copiah Co.
• Texas: Van Zandt Co.

• June:
• Kansas: Russell Co. (dog?)
• New Mexico: Rio Arriba Co.
• New Mexico: San Miguel Co. (horse)
• Colorado: Huerfano Co. (2)
• Missouri: Lincoln Co.
• Missouri: St. Charles Co.
• Texas: Deaf Smith Co.

The section concludes with "Credit and thanks to" a list of 25 individuals, including Ann Rosenbloom, George Gengenbach, Tom Bearden, and others.

A CLOSER LOOK - Detailed Incident Reports

January: Limestone Co., Alabama

A number of hogs were found dead, with skulls missing and brain cavities empty. The exact number varies by source (20 to 40), but at least six remained unharmed.

February: Skagit Co., Washington & Carroll Co., Arkansas

Horse mutilations are noted as increasing proportionally. A classic horse mutilation occurred in Salt Lake City, Utah, in late December. In early January, a thoroughbred in Carroll Co., Arkansas, was killed by a single, precise blow to the snout, preceded by UFO sightings. An investigator in an adjacent county had little success obtaining information from Skagit County authorities regarding a horse mutilation there.

March and April: Goochland Co., Virginia

Investigators noted a relative scarcity of mutilation reports from the southeastern U.S. but observed an increase in 1978. At least 9 to 17 cattle were found "dead and mutilated in a bizarre fashion" on the Virginia State Farm over a 3-week period. Autopsies revealed no cause of death, with ears and udders primarily excised. The carcasses decomposed rapidly. UFO sightings and landings were reported in the area, with guards observing bright, noiseless, nocturnal lights. Project Stigma interviewed a witness who saw a white light descend near the farm.

April and May: Benton Co., Arkansas

Six cattle and one horse in April, and another horse in May, were victims. The mutilations were described as "classic," with parts removed with "surgical precision." Stone altars, painted animal skulls, and candles were found, leading authorities to suspect "members of a satanic cult." Anthropologist Dr. Jerome Rose suggested a history of possible cultist activity. In a case atypical of others, cattleman C. W. Wilkerson reported seeing a man near a cow whose throat was slit, leading to death by bleeding, with the head nearly severed but the carcass otherwise un-mutilated.

June: Russell Co., Kansas

Three children found the severed head of a dog on a gravel road. The head was missing when adults visited the site, but traces of blood and fur were found. A silver-studded collar was produced by the children. A rabies tag on the collar belonged to a dog killed by a car earlier that winter.

Substantial mutilation waves were noted in Texas, Mississippi, and Missouri, with more details promised for STIGMATA #5.

A WEEKEND IN APRIL - Wyoming and New Mexico Incidents

Natrona County, Wyoming

On the weekend of April 22-23, 1978, two classic cattle mutilations occurred. Rancher Vern Robinett's 400-lb. yearling heifer was found mutilated on April 25th, having been last seen alive on April 21st. The animal was found within 12 feet of Robinett's vehicle. The Natrona County Sheriff's Office and District Brand Inspector Herb Callen were notified. Callen stated it was "not the result of predators" and suggested the same perpetrators as previous incidents. The rectum and 5 of 6 teats were removed, along with a portion of hide and flesh from the jaw area. No blood was observed on the carcass or ground. Investigators Lonnie Johnson and Larry Peters examined the site and noted the "classic" nature of the mutilation. Samples were taken. Johnson's report detailed the anus as "cored," approximately 3-4 inches deep and 4 inches in diameter, with no fecal discharge. Five teats were removed with a depth of about 4" below the body surface, appearing cauterized with a slightly bubbled texture. The left ear had its top 1½" portion removed, and the right ear was removed from approximately 1" in front of the extending tissue to about 10" behind the back lobe, with tissue voided into the neck and cranial cavities. The mouth's skin was removed from under the throat upward, across the jaw, and down to the spinal cord. The tongue was removed about 6" back from the tip. Both eyes were present. Peters noted a broken lower jaw. A circular, 3-inch-diameter section of hide on the right rear hip was void of hair. The hide and skin were described as "very hard and tough." The animal was bloated, flexible, and considerably decomposed, though the flesh underneath appeared "well-preserved and pink." Bubbling, discolored flesh suggested extreme heat. Lab analysis of samples proved inconclusive due to deterioration. Robinett later found the ground where the cow lay was dry despite heavy rainfall. Four men, including one from Rockwell International, suggested "radon" as the cause of rapid decomposition. A radiation check yielded a background reading of .01, but .1 on the right ear, jaw bone, and a discarded glove. Robinett reported a lingering "cold" affecting those involved. UFO sightings were numerous in the area preceding the mutilation.

Rio Arriba County, New Mexico

In June 1976, at least 3 cattle mutilations were reported. A case near Dulce involved circular "tracks" or impressions and tripod indentations. A summary was referenced in "Beyond Reality Magazine." UFOs were reported by residents, including a sighting on the night of a mutilation. An investigator observed a large black object gliding above the ground, and unusual images appeared on photos taken in the area. Excessive radiation was detected within the round indentations.

Manuel Gomez, owner of a cow victimized in June 1976, has had at least 4 cattle fall victim. A mutilation on April 23rd or 24th, 1978, occurred less than a mile from his residence. The 11-month-old bull was discovered mutilated on April 24th. A Department of Game and Fish officer observed an orange light on a ridge, and a neighbor heard a helicopter. The bull suffered loss of rectum and sex organs, with a bruised chest and broken pelvic bone, suggesting it was picked up and dropped. The hide was hard and stiff. Internal organs appeared soft and discolored. Portions of the liver were sent to Los Alamos for examination, which concluded the animal died naturally from a Clostridium organism and was fed upon by coyotes. A private lab found the Dulce liver to have an anomalous lack of copper. The carcass had minimal blood, and blood vessels in the eyes were ruptured. One scientist suggested the animals are subjected to massive doses of radiation, possibly microwaves. Approximately 4 days before this discovery, a helicopter landed near the Gomez store, with occupants claiming to be associated with a helicopter rental service and running out of gas. However, the State Police stated the chopper was not aiding them.

Aftermath: No further mutilation activity was reported in the Casper, Wyoming area at presstime. In New Mexico, about a week after the Dulce incident, a cow belonging to an official of the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation was found mutilated about 10 miles from town. "Pod marks" were found nearby, leading to theories of the animal being picked up and dropped. A belt or harness was found around the animal's body.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are animal mutilations, UFO sightings, and the challenges of investigation. The magazine adopts a stance of thorough reporting and investigation into these phenomena, presenting detailed accounts of incidents and the difficulties encountered in gathering evidence and official cooperation. There is an underlying suggestion of a coordinated effort behind the mutilations, possibly involving advanced technology or unknown forces, and a hint of potential cult involvement. The publication also emphasizes the need for public awareness and reporting of such events. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into unexplained events, particularly those involving animal mutilations and potential extraterrestrial or anomalous phenomena.

Title: STIGMATA
Issue: 3
Volume: 1
Date: 1978
Publisher: Thomas R. Adams
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of STIGMATA delves into several perplexing cases of livestock mutilation, primarily focusing on incidents in New Mexico, but also including a detailed account from Arkansas and brief mentions of potential events in Canada and Arizona. The magazine questions official explanations and highlights the need for thorough, objective investigations.

Livestock Mutilations in New Mexico

The issue begins by detailing a May 14, 1978, incident near Coyote, New Mexico, where State Police investigated the mutilation of two cows and a calf on the ranch of Julius Ferran. The animals were found with their udders and rectums removed. The calf was reportedly alive but had parts of its tail and ear cut off. While heavy rains may have obscured tracks, one investigator claimed to have found peculiar round 'footprints'. Alternative explanations suggested gunshot wounds or removal with a hunting knife.

Further reports from the Dulce area in late May 1978 described two more mutilations, characterized by broken front legs and the removal of the usual body parts. No strap or harness marks were visible, and any potential 'pod marks' were obliterated by other cattle tracks.

A more detailed account from June 14, 1978, also in the Dulce area, involved a cow owned by Manuel Gomez. This animal was found with its udder and rectum missing, a broken front leg, and massive fracturing of the backbone. The tip of one horn was driven into its skull, suggesting a possible aerial origin. Unusually, no tracks, indentations, or 'pod marks' were found in the vicinity, though indentations on the animal's legs suggested the presence of a clamp or similar device. The pasture was remote, and a calf belonging to the victim was missing, mirroring a similar event in June 1976.

State Police Officer Gabe Valdez is cited as believing a well-mobilized terrestrial agency is responsible, possibly airlifting livestock for mutilation and returning them. Efforts were underway to identify any 'marking' agents used to select animals in advance.

The magazine also references a pilot's account from 1975 near Nara Visa, New Mexico, who, along with friends in a plane equipped with infrared cameras, attempted to track unidentified helicopters and lights during a period of frequent livestock mutilations. Despite coordination with ground observers, they were unable to visually confirm the UFOs.

Ordeal in Arkansas

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to the account of 'Mrs. L.', who, after moving from Arkansas to New Mexico, recounted an extraordinary experience. While picking apples in Arkansas in 1976 or early 1977, she fell from a ladder and injured her leg. While semi-conscious, she encountered two figures, one tall and thin, the other shorter, who were humanoid but not human. They used an 'undetermined apparatus' to heal her leg within 15 minutes, leaving only the slightest of scars. They then presented her with a metal plaque bearing carvings. When she offered them food, they stated they consumed only 'juice', but not the same kind humans drank. Their voices seemed to emanate from their midsections.

Approximately six weeks later, Mrs. L.'s dog went missing. While searching, she discovered a clearing containing two 'Air Force' helicopters, men in white coats working on a horse, men in uniform, and the same two creatures. She realized she had seen something she shouldn't have and fled. A helicopter pursued her, descending and directing a blue beam of light that caused burns on her right breast and clothing. She managed to escape and seek hospitalization.

At the hospital, Mrs. L. recounted her experience, leading to questioning by individuals she believed were FBI agents. After her release, the county sheriff insisted she was 'crazy' and responsible for a horse mutilation that had occurred in the clearing. The 'strange people' continued to harass her and her husband at their home, prompting them to sell their property and move to New Mexico. However, the harassment followed them, and they were reportedly planning to move again, possibly to South Texas.

A friend and associate of Project Stigma vouched for the integrity of Mrs. L. and the shop-owner who relayed her story. The shop-owner was reportedly puzzled by the plaque and wished he could have studied it further. An investigation into the Arkansas location was underway.

Questioning 'Predator' Explanations

The section 'WELL, EXC-U-U-USE US!' critically examines the findings of veterinary diagnostic laboratories that often attribute livestock mutilations to 'predators'. The article recounts an anecdote about Sheriff C. Arthur Lee of Apache County, Arizona, who knew of an investigator frustrated by lab results. This investigator allegedly sent a deliberately mutilated animal carcass to the lab, which still concluded that predators were responsible.

Another incident in Park County, Colorado, involved 'kids' admitting to mutilating a dead animal as a prank, yet the lab report attributed the act to 'predators'. The magazine suggests that labs might be using 'predators' as a convenient 'out', proposing a broader definition of the term that could include any mutilators, natural or 'unnatural'.

Briefs and Calls to Action

Brief reports include a mention of possible cattle mutilations in Hastings, Ontario, possibly in 1971, with farmers allegedly bought off by the Canadian government. Rumors of a U.S. government investigation into livestock mutilations in New Mexico are noted, with speculation that it might be related to the Los Alamos 'investigation' of an April Dulce mutilation. An Arizona meeting involving law enforcement and veterinary officials on livestock mutilations is also mentioned, with a request for information on its proceedings.

STIGMATA concludes with a direct appeal to its readers to help combat any tendency by law enforcement to cover up information regarding livestock mutilations. Readers are urged to report any suspected cases to their sheriff and to Project Stigma, and to encourage objective investigations. The editorial emphasizes that if a sheriff refuses to investigate, they are not doing their job, a point to remember around election day.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the unexplained nature of livestock mutilations, the potential involvement of non-human entities or advanced terrestrial technology, and the suspicion of government cover-ups or reluctance to investigate thoroughly. The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards simplistic explanations like 'predators' and a strong advocacy for transparency and rigorous investigation into these phenomena. Project Stigma positions itself as a conduit for information and a catalyst for action, encouraging public participation and vigilance.