Stigmata - Issue 17

Magazine Overview

Title: STIGMATA
Issue: 17
Date: Second Quarter 1982
Publisher: PROJECT STIGMA
Country: U.S.A.

This issue of STIGMATA, titled "The Project Stigma Report on the Continuing Investigation into the Occurrence of Animal Mutilations," delves into several high-profile cases involving unexplained phenomena. It provides subscription and back issue information for the magazine, which is published quarterly.

An Investigation In-Progress: The Cash/Landrum Case

The lead article focuses on the extraordinary UFO incident that occurred northeast of Houston, Texas, on December 29, 1980, involving Betty Cash, Vickie Landrum, and her 7-year-old grandson, Colby. The incident, also known as the "Huffman case," has been under investigation by groups like Project VISIT UFO, MUFON, APRO, and CUFOS. Dr. J. Allen Hynek of CUFOS described it as a "really crucial case" due to the "unequivocal physical effects" on the witnesses.

During the event, the witnesses encountered a roughly diamond-shaped object that glowed, spewed fire, and emitted roaring and beeping sounds. It hovered over the road, causing the witnesses to exit their car to observe. Following the object's departure, all three began suffering from a myriad of physiological ills. Betty Cash, exposed for 5-10 minutes, Vickie Landrum for 3-5 minutes, and Colby for about a minute, experienced distinct symptoms.

Colby's symptoms included erythema, swollen eyes, stomach pains, diarrhea, anorexia, weight loss, and increased tooth cavities. Vickie suffered from erythema, photophthalmia, greatly diminished vision, stomach pains, diarrhea, anorexia, ulceration on her arms resulting in scarring and loss of pigmentation, damaged fingernails, and hair regrowth of a different texture. Betty experienced erythema, acute photophthalmia, impaired vision, stomach pains, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, lethargy, scarring and loss of skin pigmentation, and excessive hair loss with regrowth of a different texture.

Schuessler reported that a radiology consultant concluded the patients suffered damage secondary to ionizing radiation, possibly with infrared or ultraviolet components. The case also involved the appearance of at least 20-23 helicopters after the UFO left, which surrounded and appeared to "escort" the object. Witnesses identified many as Boeing Vertol CH-47 "Chinooks" and possibly "Hueys." Three potential scenarios are proposed: the helicopters were also UFOs, they were U.S.-made craft attached to the UFO, or the UFO was terrestrial and the choppers were military.

Further investigation suggests the witnesses, particularly Vickie Landrum, initially felt it was a religious experience but later surmised it was a government-military operation. Dr. J. Allen Hynek stated uncertainty about whether it was a government exercise or a UFO sighting. John Schuessler is convinced it was a military operation, noting that CH-47s are typically military.

Investigators considered Gray Air Force Base near Fort Hood as a possible source for the helicopters. A 1973 incident near Calvert, Texas, involving UFOs and military aircraft, is mentioned. Gray Air Force Base admitted that over 100 helicopters came in "for effect" during a holiday period. An Army Major in Houston, a helicopter pilot, claimed to have been piloting a CH-47 on a mission that night but refused to provide details.

The article notes that the interest in the "mystery helicopter" phenomenon is linked to animal mutilations. A letter from George Andrews suggests the distress symptoms are consistent with overexposure to radioactivity, similar to Hiroshima survivors. He also recounts a case from "Wolverton and Donovan's MYSTERY STALKS THE PRAIRIE" where a UFO transformed into a mother ship, absorbing smaller UFOs. Andrews speculates that the Cash/Landrum witnesses may have been exposed to radioactive energy release during a simultaneous maneuver of a squadron of UFOs merging with a mother ship, possibly without the occupants being aware of human witnesses.

Mutilation Data Center Report: Cat Mutilations in Orange County, California

This section details a series of pet mutilations in Orange County, California, beginning in 1979. The incidents include mutilated chickens, cats found hanged or with surgically removed limbs and heads, and a rabbit and dog. Some reports suggest trained dogs and vans were involved, while others describe animals cut in half with sharp instruments. The author notes mild public and high police panic, with theories ranging from scavengers to cults. A peculiar aspect is a phone call from someone involved in the Office of Naval Research (ONR), raising questions about Naval Intelligence involvement in pet mutilations. An attempt to meet with another Army intelligence contact proved fruitless.

A Closer Look - 1981: Fernie, British Columbia Cow Mutilation

This report details a cow mutilation case near Fernie, British Columbia, on May 16, 1981. A 3-year-old Hereford cow was found with half its tongue missing, its anus removed, a portion of its face cut away, and hide and hair cleanly removed above the right eye. A hole was also found in its upper right chest cavity, and a "lateral cut" on its neck. The incident occurred between May 15-16.

Veterinarian Dr. David Lawson examined the carcass, and the RCMP investigated. Conflicting statements arose between RCMP constables and Dr. Lawson. The RCMP initially believed the animal died from natural causes but could not explain an eight or nine-inch lateral cut on the neck. Dr. Lawson was unable to determine the cause of death, noting that wounds on the head appeared to be made after death, possibly by a sharp instrument. He also noted wounds on the rear end and neck/shoulder consistent with carnivores, but the clean cuts on the head and neck suggested human intervention.

Phillips, a local rancher and editor, criticized the authorities for not sending vital organs for pathological examination. He questioned the RCMP's explanation that predators would not go for the bony area above the eye or leave flesh untouched. Phillips theorized the neck cut might be from a dart gun, with the dart subsequently removed. He also reported a sighting of a small bluish car and two men near the site.

Dr. Lawson's report indicated that the wounds on the head were made by a person using a sharp instrument. Phillips disputes the RCMP's argument that blowflies could create the appearance of knife cuts, stating no blowflies were present. He offers a $10 reward for any blowfly found in his photos. Phillips also notes that predators typically go for softer parts of the animal, not the bony areas, and that the haunch was untouched. The missing tongue was explained by police as predators biting it off, but Phillips noted the cut was at a right angle, not consistent with predator action.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the investigation into unexplained phenomena, specifically UFO sightings and animal mutilations. The magazine appears to adopt a stance of critical inquiry, presenting witness accounts, expert opinions, and investigative findings while also highlighting inconsistencies and potential government cover-ups. The editorial stance seems to favor exploring alternative explanations beyond conventional ones, particularly concerning the Cash/Landrum case and the Fernie cow mutilation, suggesting a leaning towards the possibility of extraterrestrial or covert military involvement. The publication aims to gather and disseminate information on these controversial topics, encouraging reader participation and further investigation.

Title: UFO REPORT
Issue: 15
Volume: 15
Date: 1982

This issue of UFO REPORT focuses on unexplained cattle mutilations, detailing two prominent cases from New Hampshire in 1981 and a historical incident from Ontario, Canada, in 1909. It explores the details of these events, the investigations that followed, and the lingering questions surrounding them.

Piermont, New Hampshire Mutilation (October 1978)

The issue begins by detailing a case from October 1978 in Piermont, New Hampshire, involving the mutilation of a 1000-pound steer. The steer was found dead in a meadow, with its body strangely clean and missing an ear. The report notes the unusual absence of birds or other predators near the carcass, suggesting a deliberate and unusual cause.

Tuftonboro, New Hampshire Mutilation (October 1981)

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a case from Tuftonboro, New Hampshire, reported in October 1981. Charles Whitten discovered a seven-year-old polled Hereford cow dead in his pasture. The cow exhibited severe disfigurement: an ear was missing, an eye had been ripped out, half its nose was gone, its cheek and lower jaw were laid open to the bone, and half its tongue was removed. Notably, there were no signs of struggle, no tracks, and absolutely no blood at the site. Conservation Officer Lt. Peter Lyons described the situation as "mysterious," stating that the cow did not appear to have been shot or killed by another animal.

Further investigation by veterinarian Lawrence Toms revealed "effects of a needle" in the jugular vein, but no apparent cause of death and no blood in the body. Despite initial theories involving aliens or cults, investigators eventually concluded that the cow likely died of a heart attack and was subsequently mutilated by other animals and birds. However, the report highlights inconsistencies with this explanation, such as the lack of teeth marks and the smooth, precise nature of the cuts.

The article also touches upon the local interest in witchcraft, with library books on the subject being in high demand after the incident. Charles Whitten, a Selectman in the town, initially suspected revenge from someone he might have made enemies with, but the lack of a bullet wound ruled out a simple shooting.

Historical Case: St. Thomas, Ontario (February 1909)

The issue includes a historical account from a newsclipping dated February 8, 1909, from the Niagara Falls, Ontario DAILY RECORD. This article details a case involving farmer Tom Gilbert near Fingal, Ontario, who lost several cattle to a "malignant enemy." Eleven cattle were affected, with several dying. Examination by veterinarians revealed that a sharp instrument had been forced down their throats, causing severe lacerations and almost severing the windpipes. Authorities found a broken pick-handle sharpened to a point and covered with blood, which was believed to be one of the instruments used.

"Strange Harvest" Transcripts

Information is provided for readers interested in purchasing transcripts of the 1980 television documentary "A Strange Harvest," produced by Linda Moulton Howe. The transcripts are available for $5.00 from KMGH-TV in Denver, Colorado.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of UFO REPORT strongly leans into the unexplained nature of livestock mutilations, presenting detailed accounts of these events and highlighting the puzzling aspects that official explanations often fail to address. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards conventional explanations, emphasizing the mysterious and potentially extraterrestrial or unknown origins of such incidents. The inclusion of both contemporary and historical cases suggests a pattern of unexplained phenomena occurring over time. The magazine aims to inform its readership about these cases, providing details that encourage further investigation and thought beyond simple animal predation or natural causes.