Stigmata - Issue 16

Magazine Overview

Title: STIGMATA
Issue: Number 16
Date: First Quarter 1982
Price: $1.50
Publisher: PROJECT STIGMA

This issue of STIGMATA is dedicated to "The Project Stigma Report on the Continuing Investigation into the Occurrence of Animal Mutilations." It provides a comprehensive overview of the phenomenon, including subscription and back issue information, and a detailed chronology of reported animal mutilation events from 1981.

Subscription and Back Issue Information

STIGMATA is published quarterly. Annual subscriptions for the United States, Canada, and Mexico are priced at $5.00 (U.S. funds). Subscriptions to all other countries have increased to $10.00 (U.S.) per year. Payment for subscriptions must be in U.S. cash, Canadian cash, U.S. money orders, or checks drawn on U.S. banks. For potential foreign subscribers facing accommodation issues, contact is encouraged to arrange an exchange.

A selection of back issues are available for purchase. Issues No. 8, 9, 10, and 11 (all from 1980) are available at $2.00 per copy. Issues No. 12 and 13 (from 1981) are currently out-of-print but are planned for re-printing. Issues No. 14 and 15 (from 1981) are available at $1.50 each. A bundle of any three 1981 and 1982 editions can be purchased for $4.00.

The official address for Project Stigma is P.O. Box 1094, Paris, Texas 75460, U.S.A.

Chronology - 1981

The "CHRONOLOGY - 1981" section details numerous reported animal mutilation cases throughout the year in the United States and Canada. The introduction notes that the phenomenon continues to be significant and is not a "flash-in-the-pan." While the number of reported cases in 1981 appeared to be lower than in 1980 (around 50-or-so cases compared to twice that many in 1980), the reports indicate that "classic mutilations" remain a consistent occurrence, albeit sometimes more isolated. The text acknowledges that many cases go unreported due to frustration with law enforcement or a desire to avoid publicity. The article suggests that the reality of these mutilations can be disturbing and traumatic for some, leading to a "psychic defense mechanism" or an inability to accept such events into their worldview.

The chronology provides a structured summary for each incident, generally including:

1. Date: Date of mutilation-death or discovery, with estimated time since death if known.
2. Day of the week.
3. Location: State, county, and more specific location.
4. Victim/Owner Name: If known.
5. Victim Animal: Description of the animal.
6. Missing Parts/Damage: Description of missing body parts and external/internal damage.
7. Additional Details: Pertinent or revealing information.
8. Source(s): Informational sources, unless confidentiality is requested.

A map indicating the areas in the United States and southern Canada where mutilations occurred in 1981 is mentioned as being included (though not visible in the provided scan).

Selected Incidents from the 1981 Chronology:

• January 3rd, Colorado: A 3-year-old Hereford heifer in El Paso County was found with missing hide and flesh on its jaw, right eye, and rectal area removed. A blue nylon rope was tied around its leg, and its throat was cut. Investigating deputies theorized someone intended to butcher the cow but were scared off, and coyotes removed the parts.
• January 14th, Arkansas: An 18-month-old red white-face calf in Washington County had its tail and rectum missing. Hair was arranged in a cone-shaped pile with manure nearby. The calf was found with no bleeding, and the rectal incision showed "searing."
• February 1st, Washington: A 9-year-old registered Hereford bull in Pierce County was found missing part of its lower jaw, left ear, and testicles.
• February 8th, California: A man's body was found in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park with the head removed "with precision," leading authorities to suspect a "ritualistic murder."
• February 15th, Tennessee: A Black Angus female in Meigs County had its eyes "gouged out," teats cut out, and genitals removed, leaving a large circular area. Vehicle tracks and footprints suggested cultist involvement.
• April 11th, Oklahoma: A female bovine in Sequoyah County had its genitals removed and blood drained. The cow was pregnant but the fetus was missing. It had been shot multiple times.
• April 13th, Oklahoma: A bull in Sequoyah County was found "partially castrated" with no bleeding. The sheriff reported it was shot nine times.
• April 15th, Colorado: A 4-month-old heifer calf in Larimer County had its right eye missing, rectum missing, and tongue missing.
• April 15th-18th, South Dakota: A white-face female bovine in Shannon County had its udder cut out and rectum "reamed out." The carcass was found on April 22nd, and it was estimated to have died the previous week. Mutilations had occurred on the reservation in previous years as well.
• May 16th, Canada (British Columbia): A 3-year-old female Hereford in southeastern B.C. had half its tongue missing, anus removed, part of its face cut away, and hide removed from above its right eye. It also had a hole in its chest cavity and a lateral cut on its neck.
• May 30th, Oregon: A 600-lb female Hereford in Crook County was found missing its udder, genitals, rectum, and a patch from its right hip. Deputies described the wounds as made with a knife, and state police found traces of a "tranquillizing drug."
• June 10th/11th, New Mexico: A 2-year-old cow and a 14-month-old horse on the Manuel Gomez Ranch were victimized. The cow was missing its rectum and genitals. The horse was missing its rectum, genitals, an eye, and part of its face. Marks suggested clamps were applied, and "spike marks" were found in the ground.
• June 22nd, Nebraska: A 5-month-old shorthorn bull calf in Washington County had a large area of its lower abdomen cut away, with the heart and genitals missing. Intestines were found in a pile about 25 feet away.
• July 3rd, Canada (British Columbia): A 3-year-old female Hereford on the Ternier Ranch had its upper lip, part of its nostril, udder, and external genitalia removed by a "sharp instrument."
• July 18th, Oregon: Three rabbits were found mutilated in Lane County; one was skinned but alive when found and later died.
• August 20th, New Mexico: A female bovine belonging to Victor Salazar had its tongue missing and rectal area removed. No footprints were found except those of the calf.
• August 23rd, Iowa: Three cows were shot to death, and one was wounded and had to be destroyed in Howard County. One cow had a loin carved out, with the motive suspected to be butchering for meat.
• August 26th, Colorado: A 3-year-old female Hereford in Huerfano County had its tongue and rectum removed, with the latter described as if a "stovepipe" had been used. Some damage was attributed to predators.
• August 29th, Colorado: A 2-year-old Holstein heifer on the Corsentino Dairy Farm had its left side of face cut away, left eye and ear tip gone, teat possibly removed, and vaginal area cut out in a "stovepipe" fashion. A helicopter was reportedly heard overhead.
• September 11th, New Mexico: A 5-year-old Charolais bull at the Casale Ranch was missing its tongue, udder, and anus, with bruises all over its back.
• September 12th, Washington: A steer in King County was missing a front leg, shoulder, lips, nose, ear, larynx, tail, and genitals. No blood was found, and the wounds were described as too neat to be caused by predators.
• September 14th, Canada (Alberta): A bull calf was found with its penis, testicles, anus, and half of its tail "cut out with surgical precision." A human corpse was found on an adjoining ranch the same day, but no connection was suspected.
• September 23rd, South Dakota: A 2-year-old Hereford steer in Mellette County had its genitals missing, both ears missing, left eye missing, part of its tail missing, and a hole in its ribcage from which the heart was thought to have been taken. No blood was evident, and the rectum was "cored out."
• September 28th, Minnesota: A 7-month-old registered Hereford bull calf in Grant County was missing its genitals, right ear and eye, part of its left ear, and a piece of hide. A hole in its left side appeared to be from a tranquillizer dart or awl.
• September 28th, Canada (Alberta): A 600-kg bull in Balzac had a circular hole in its abdomen where testicles had been removed, a puncture mark in its neck, and missing tongue, nose, and "entrails." A helicopter had been heard the night before.
• October 1st, New Hampshire: A 7-year-old female Hereford in Carroll County had half its face cut away, its eye, ear, and half of its nose missing, and half of its tongue removed. The jugular vein was severed, and death occurred the previous night. The carcass was badly bloated.
• October 5th, Minnesota: A 4-6-week-old Holstein heifer in Grant County was missing an ear, part of an eye, the tail, rectum, and one hock from each of three legs. The sheriff noted teeth marks in the gristle where the ear and hocks were missing.
• October 20th, Colorado: A "classic bovine mutilation" was confirmed by a veterinarian near an Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) drilling site in Huerfano County.
• October 22nd, Canada (Saskatchewan): A 24-year-old Charolais bull in Rabbit Lake was missing its penis and testicles. No tracks were found. A report stated that the cut around the penis was a hide cut only, with no scratches on the meat. The testicles were removed one at a time, with no sign of struggle and no blood.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the persistent and ongoing nature of animal mutilations, presented as a phenomenon with "staying power." The editorial stance, as indicated in the introductory "Chronology - 1981" section, is one of serious investigation and documentation, acknowledging the unexplained aspects while also recognizing that misinterpretations, predation, and natural causes do occur. The publication aims to present the data and case histories, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, but clearly positions itself as a platform for those who believe in the reality of these events, contrasting them with those who dismiss them outright. The magazine emphasizes the need for historical perspective and continued investigation into these "unexplained, unstoppable, uncontrollable livestock mutilations."

Title: STIGMATA
Issue: 16
Date: October 1981 (cont.)
Publisher: Thomas R. Adams
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Detailed Reports of Animal Mutilations

This issue of STIGMATA provides a detailed chronological account of reported animal mutilations occurring in late 1981, with some cases dating back to 1980. The reports cover incidents across various locations in the United States and Canada, including Saskatchewan, Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming, Alberta, and British Columbia.

October 1981 (cont.)

Saskatchewan Case: A carcass was found on October 23rd, 1981, with a dark coloring on the neck, small jabs into the hide near the anus, and a scar under the back leg. A veterinary analysis at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine identified Valvular endocarditis, Septicemia, Embolic pneumonia, and Embolic glomerulonephritis, with the presence of Pasteurella hemolytica. Dr. G. Wobeser noted this as an unusual type of infection for this bacterium, suggesting generalized septicemia.

Colorado Case (October 31st): A 7-year-old, 1000-lb female bovine from Washington County was found missing its udder and genitals. There was no evidence of blood or bleeding. The cow had a 3-week-old calf. Two other cows were found dead nearby, having died on Halloween night. The report cites the WRAY (Colorado) GAZETTE and Mrs. Shirley Rickard via Linda M. Howe.

November 1981

Colorado Case (mid-November): Another female bovine from Washington County, on the Merrill ranch, was found missing its udder, genitals, part of the jaw-hide, and part or most of the tongue. Again, there was no evidence of blood or bleeding. This incident occurred about 600 feet north of the previous Halloween case site. The report also mentions other unreported mutilations on nearby ranches.

Nebraska Case (November 23rd): In Colfax County, an 1100-lb female Hereford was found missing its rectum, udder, the tip of the tail, and the right ear. The animal had been cut open from rectum to navel, with very little blood. A neighbor reported hearing a "fluctuating high-low sound" the previous night. The report cites the SCHUYLER (Nebraska) SUN and OMAHA WORLD-HERALD.

Wyoming Case (November 25th): Two mutilations were reported on the Harrington ranch in Big Horn County. The first was a heifer missing its nose, tongue, right ear, udder, and genitals, with a circle of hide removed from the genital area and hints of singeing. The second was a calf found 200 yards away with identical genital and anal wounds. Both animals were found on Friday, November 27th, estimated to have died two to three days earlier.

"A Closer Look - Canada"

This section delves into Canadian cases, including a 1980 incident and several from 1981.

1980 Alberta Case: A 1980 mutilation of a three-year-old registered quarter horse owned by Marilyn Flaht of Oyen, Alberta, is revisited. A second registered quarter horse owned by Mrs. Flaht was found mutilated in July 1980. The second horse had a substantial cut on its side, and fluid had been periodically draining from the wound. The carcass was found lying in weeds, with no weeds disturbed around it, suggesting it was dropped from above. The horse was missing half its udder and a strip of hide, and the rectal area was removed. A piece of intestine was found, described as "snowy white".

1981 Alberta Cases: During a three-week period in May and June, four animals were found mutilated or dead under mysterious circumstances on ranches near Vilna, Alberta. A calf on the Kucher farm had burns on its ears. Steve Popowich found a cow missing an ear, part of the tongue, lips, and rectum. Popowich stated the wounds appeared to be made with a sharp instrument and that scavengers wouldn't touch the carcass. He noted, "This isn't (due to) natural causes". Separately, a bright orange light was seen near Smokey Lake, west of Vilna, leaving behind mounds of cold ashes and a sulfur smell, with the ground burned to a depth of 6-7 inches.

British Columbia - The Armstrong Case

July 3rd, 1981: A purebred Hereford cow, a 3-year-old female, was found dead and mutilated on the TLR Ranch of Robert and Lillian Ternier near Armstrong, B.C. Missing were the right upper lip, part of the nostril, all of the udder and its accompanying suspensory structure (one rear teat remained), and the external genitalia, all excised with a "sharp instrument". The tongue was present, and there was no rectal damage. Blood was present but there was very little bleeding. Veterinarian Dr. R.C. Maidment of the Vernon Veterinary Clinic, who performed the autopsy, described it as the "strangest part of all" and stated he had never seen anything to compare in his 23 years of practice. The cow was seen alive the evening before and found within 50 yards of a road and within a half-mile of the Ternier's home.

Dr. Maidment's post-mortem examination report detailed the missing parts and noted the skin anterior to the udder had been separated from the subcutaneous tissue. The vulvar labia were missing. Two or three small abrasions were noted on the brisket skin. There was very little hemorrhage in the areas of missing tissue. Rigor mortis was present but not complete. The animal was in good condition, with a gravid uterus. The lungs were grossly emphysematous. The heart was enlarged and full of clotted blood, as were the great vessels. The region from the larynx to the bifurcation was extensively bruised with small gelatinous blood clots. No skin punctures or foreign bodies were found. Dr. Maidment concluded that the animal died suddenly of "un-natural causes" and was unable to identify the causative agent.

Interesting observations included the apparent ease and rapidity of death, the missing tissue likely removed by a sharp instrument, the professional dissection of the mammary apparatus, the absence of significant hemorrhage, and the absence of predators.

Robert Ternier expressed suspicions about a car and a pickup truck seen nearby the evening before, and two "filthy, scraggly people" walking along the road. He noted the unusual way they appeared, suggesting they might have been "in the brush, looking at the cattle". Ternier stated that the loss of this cow, a valuable purebred Hereford, represented a loss of one year's production and impacted his herd's breeding potential.

Mr. Ternier expressed his opinion that the animal was killed in the evening and mutilated about 4 or 5 hours later, based on the lack of blood and its watery consistency. He firmly dismissed the possibility of natural death or predator kill, citing his 32 years of experience in the area without such incidents.

"Mutes As A Political Football"

This section discusses a column by David Roybal in the Santa Fe NEW MEXICAN regarding livestock mutilations. It references retired FBI agent Kenneth Rommel's investigation into baffling livestock mutilations in New Mexico since the mid-1970s. Rommel's one-year investigation reportedly coincided with a sharp drop in mutilations. The article touches upon political commentary involving Attorney General Jeff Bingaman and U.S. Sen. Harrison Schmitt, with Bingaman using Schmitt's involvement in mutilation probes as a point of criticism.

Rommel's 297-page report suggested that mutilations were a "law enforcement problem" and posed an economic impact and fear among rural residents. However, Rommel's findings indicated that the mutilations were not done by highly skilled individuals with financial backing, but rather reflected "sloppier work of predators and scavengers". This conclusion was met with skepticism from self-appointed investigators who claimed Rommel's investigation lacked diligence and objectivity.

The article also mentions a reader's letter suggesting a "stealth" secret used by mutilators, similar to technology discussed by Jimmy Carter. The writer of the letter reportedly signed it with invisible ink, and the letter later went missing from the files.

Other Reports and Information

National Enquirer Report: An article in the NATIONAL ENQUIRER (December 29, 1981) is cited, reporting that four men died after being zapped by UFOs in Parnarama, Brazil, in the autumn of 1981. Two of the bodies were reportedly white after being drained of blood.

Historian's Research: An article in the Santa Fe NEW MEXICAN from mid-1980 is referenced, where state historian Myra Ellen Jenkins stated her research revealed no history of cattle mutilations in New Mexico prior to recent years. She attributed cattle deaths to natural causes and mutilations to predators and decomposition, finding no record of "selective mutilation" in historic documents or folklore.

Electrosurgery and Tissue Preservation: The issue briefly discusses the potential use of electrosurgery (radio frequencies instead of blades) in mutilations and mentions methods for preserving suspected mutilated tissue using formaldehyde or isopropyl alcohol solutions.

Further Information: Readers are directed to an article on Charles Tucker's expedition in Brazil in the journal PURSUIT for more information.

Upcoming Issue: The next issue is announced to include more 1981 reports, a mute motion picture update, and more on "Grudge 13".

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the detailed documentation and analysis of animal mutilation cases, presenting evidence and expert opinions that challenge conventional explanations like predation or natural causes. The magazine appears to lean towards investigating unusual or unexplained phenomena, providing a platform for detailed case studies and expert interviews. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry into these mysterious events, presenting factual accounts and encouraging further investigation, while also acknowledging the skepticism and differing opinions within the field.