Wonders - Vol 3 No 3 - 1994

Magazine Overview

WONDERS, Vol. 3 No. 3, September 1994, is a quarterly publication from Mark A. Hall Publications based in Minneapolis, MN. The issue's cover prominently features an illustration of the 'Minnesota Iceman' and the headline 'The Minnesota Iceman'. The magazine seeks 'the Truth in a Universe of Mysteries'.

Found and Lost: The Mystery of the Minnesota Iceman by Mark A. Hall

This article details the author's involvement with the story of the Minnesota Iceman, particularly in relation to a segment produced by Cosgrove-Meurer Productions for the NBC series 'Unsolved Mysteries'. The author recounts his visit to Burbank, California, in August 1994, where he was interviewed for the show.

The 'Iceman' first gained international attention in 1969 as a hairy body preserved in ice, exhibited for about a year and a half in the Midwest. It was described by only two men with scientific training, who were not allowed to open the coffin. After its publicity, the object disappeared.

Mark A. Hall was contacted by 'Unsolved Mysteries' due to his prior knowledge of the Iceman. He had been in touch with key parties and possessed photographs of the exhibit. In May 1994, he met with director Dan Gomez to discuss the story. The author, along with Terry Cullen, Bob Czaplewski, and Dave Rvard, were interviewed for the television segment, which aired on September 25, 1994. Exhibitor Frank Hansen and zoologist Bernard Heuvelmans declined interviews.

Terry Cullen, a professional herpetologist, became interested in the 'Siberskoye Creature' exhibit at age 17 in 1967. He observed the exhibit multiple times and noted its rank odor, characteristic of decomposing warm-blooded animals. He also observed plant matter in the teeth, shed ecto-parasites, and unique dentition. Cullen attempted to get professional anthropologists to examine the exhibit but was largely unsuccessful.

Cullen's efforts led to zoologists Ivan Sanderson and Bernard Heuvelmans visiting the exhibit in December 1968. They examined the Iceman, which was kept in a refrigerated coffin in an unheated trailer in Minnesota during winter. They sketched and photographed it, noting its size, structure, and appearance, suggesting it was a 'wildman'. Sanderson noted the limitations of viewing the specimen through ice and glass.

Sanderson and Heuvelmans later entered into negotiations to purchase the exhibit. Sanderson published an account in Argosy Magazine, and Heuvelmans in the Bulletin of the Royal Institute of the Natural Sciences of Belgium. Publicity intensified in March 1969, leading Frank Hansen to cancel his tour and claim he was presenting a model of the original.

The 'Unsolved Mysteries' segment focused on Terry Cullen's story and included recreations of events. The author notes that many questions about the Iceman remain unanswered, including its true identity, ownership, and current location.

Frank Hansen provided various accounts of the Iceman's origin, including being bought from a curio dealer in Hong Kong, found by Japanese whalers, or discovered by a member of the California film industry. Sanderson and Heuvelmans' examination revealed the body appeared to have been shot in the head and chest, with a broken left arm. Geologist Jack A. Ullrich suggested the ice layers indicated it was artificially frozen.

Ivan Sanderson appeared on 'The Tonight Show' on Christmas Day 1968, discussing his investigation into 'wildmen' and hinting at his findings regarding the Iceman. Heuvelmans wrote an article in 'Personality' aiming to influence public opinion for the Iceman's preservation.

In March 1969, news stories emerged, including one in The Guardian and an article in the Minneapolis Star. Sheriff George Fort of Winona, Minnesota, visited Hansen's farm in February 1969 at the request of an 'official agency', possibly the FBI or Smithsonian Institution, which had been contacted by Sanderson.

Other Content

The issue also lists other articles: 'The Works of Alpheus Hyatt Verrill (1871-1954)' and 'Current Events: Big Cats Black and Tan'.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores unexplained phenomena, mysteries, and fortean topics, as indicated by its title 'WONDERS' and subtitle 'Seeking the Truth in a Universe of Mysteries'. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into subjects that challenge conventional scientific or historical understanding, giving voice to researchers and witnesses of unusual events.

This issue of WONDERS, dated September 1994, features two main articles: one critically examining the Minnesota Iceman phenomenon and another celebrating the extensive literary output of Alpheus Hyatt Verrill. The magazine is primarily text-based with minimal imagery.

The Minnesota Iceman: A Fabricated Illusion?

The article begins by recounting the author's visit to Mr. Hansen's exhibit, describing the preserved body as ape-like but with human-like features, particularly the nose and fingers. However, it quickly shifts to questioning the authenticity, noting that photographs of the 'Iceman' after April 1969 do not show the original specimen but a model. The author contrasts this with earlier photographs taken by Heuvelmans in 1968, which are suggested to be of the actual specimen.

Frank Hansen, the owner, later displayed a model, which was presented as the 'Iceman.' This model was exhibited in Midwestern states and garnered some press attention, including a brief stop at the U.S. border. Despite publicity, the exhibit did not fare well, as people desired to see the 'real thing.' Within two years, Hansen was farming out the exhibit, unattended, with only recorded narration.

Journalists who have not done thorough research continue to write about the exhibit as if it were the original specimen described in the popular Argosy article. The author, having compared Heuvelmans' photographs with Hansen's model, agrees with Ivan Sanderson that the model is not the original specimen. Sanderson's article in Argosy Magazine in May 1969 featured only one clear photo of the Iceman.

The article discusses claims of other 'specimens' being made, including one by Hollywood model-maker John Chambers, which, while magnificent, bore no likeness to the original Iceman. The Smithsonian reportedly dropped its interest after learning a model had been made. Terry Cullen's attempts to verify the Smithsonian's claim were unsuccessful.

Hansen himself admitted to commissioning two models, one of which was discarded. The author notes the eagerness of people to jump on the 'bandwagon' of the Iceman story. Sanderson received manuscripts from individuals claiming to have shot the Iceman, which the author found ridiculous.

A group of Bigfoot-seekers in the Pacific Northwest were also reportedly entertained by similar 'I-shot-the-Iceman' stories. Frank Hansen's article in Saga Magazine, 'I Shot the Ape-Man Creature of Whiteface,' illustrated with pictures of the model, offered another origin story for the Iceman, which the author dismisses as an attempt to divert attention from the actual owner.

The article also mentions a story in a weekly trashpaper from June 1969 as a diversionary tactic. The author then offers his own hypothetical views on what the Iceman might have been, where it came from, and what happened to it.

Heuvelmans' view is that the Iceman was a survivor of Neanderthal Man, possibly shot in Vietnam, and compares it to Neanderthal-like primates in Asia. Sanderson, however, disagrees, stating it should not be assigned to the Neanderthal race or complex. John Napier's observation that the Iceman's characteristics combined the worst features of apes and man is also mentioned.

The author discusses contradictory viewpoints on whether the Iceman was a mature individual, with Sanderson noting human-like wrinkles and Cullen suggesting it resembled an adolescent male. The complete shape of the head and foot structure remain unclear.

A recent publication from China describes a 'wildman' that recalls the Iceman, involving a stockman wrestling the creature for his gun in 1974. The description includes human-like teeth, red eyes, a protruding forehead, and a convex chest.

The article then explores the possibility of 'Shorter-Hominids' in North America, associating them with traditions of the Nakani and 'Bushmen' in Alaska and western Canada. These beings are described as active in summer and living underground in winter.

Regarding the origin of the Iceman, the author dismisses the idea of an Asian origin, suggesting it likely originated in the U.S.A. The story of finding it in Hong Kong is considered an artful cover story. The author posits that an armed human encountered and shot the living Iceman, possibly out of fear. Incidents of people shooting at 'wildmen' in the Western states prior to the Iceman's appearance are cited as evidence.

The article suggests the preserved specimen was obtained by a wealthy, anonymous owner on the West Coast. Frank Hansen was approached to exhibit it for a year and a half, after which the owner reclaimed it and provided Hansen with a model. The author believes Sanderson and Heuvelmans had no chance to obtain the specimen honestly.

It is likely the rotting corpse was buried in early 1969 by agents of the owner. The author speculates that the person who shot the Iceman may have felt at risk of prosecution for murder.

When asked why the Iceman was not properly studied if genuine, the author suggests the owner did not value it highly. Hansen's reported reply, relayed by Dan Gomez, was that the owner wanted to present the 'missing link' to undercut Biblical creation and was interested in people's reactions.

The Iceman was nicknamed 'Bozo' and its fate is described as a clownish role in 20th-century history. The author concludes that humanity was unprepared to face living forms of what is otherwise only recorded as fossil records of primate ancestors. The Iceman's preservation tested humanity, and the species failed, with its destiny being to disappear. It is suggested that in the future, it may be cited with astonishment as a genuine article.

The Works of Alpheus Hyatt Verrill (1871-1954)

This section, authored by Mark A. Hall, provides an overview of the life and literary output of Alpheus Hyatt Verrill. Verrill is described as a naturalist, archaeologist, treasure hunter, and adventurer with a comprehensive mind, who wrote extensively on natural sciences, anthropology, fiction, and science fiction.

His book 'Bridge of Light,' written in 1929 and re-issued in 1950, is highlighted as a memorable work, likened to an 'Indiana Jones' adventure. Many of Verrill's titles are out of print, making them difficult to access except in large libraries.

Recommended starting points for experiencing Verrill's work include 'My Jungle Trails' or 'Strange Customs, Manners and Beliefs.' The latter contains an anecdote about 'talking drums' used for communication in northern South America, demonstrating Verrill's engagement with indigenous practices.

Verrill was born in New Haven, CT, in 1871, the son of zoologist Addison Emery Verrill. He studied at Yale and began expeditions into Central and South America in 1899, focusing on Indian peoples and archaeological remains. His work spanned explorations in Panama, the West Indies, Bermuda, and Guiana, as well as later expeditions in Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. He also executed oil paintings of South American and Central American Indians.

He is credited with inventing the autochrome process (natural color photography) in 1902 and re-discovered the Solenodon paradoxus on Santo Domingo in 1907. In 1940, he established the Aniharka Experimental Gardens and Natural Science Museum in Florida, where he lived out his life, engaging in a shell business, treasure hunts, and writing.

Verrill died in Chiefland, Florida, in 1954. He prepared an unpublished autobiographical manuscript titled 'Never a Dull Moment.' He co-authored 'America's Ancient Civilizations' with his second wife, Lida Ruth Verrill, who also wrote on Levy County history and South American archaeology.

The article includes bibliographies of Verrill's works, categorized into books for boys, natural histories, popular books, works on pirates and treasure, regional histories, non-fiction periodicals, and science fiction.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores unexplained phenomena, cryptozoology, and historical mysteries, with a critical yet open-minded approach. The articles on the Minnesota Iceman and Alpheus Hyatt Verrill suggest a focus on debunking sensationalism while also appreciating historical accounts and the pursuit of knowledge in diverse fields. The editorial stance appears to favor rigorous investigation and a questioning of popular narratives, encouraging readers to seek out primary sources and consider alternative explanations. There is an underlying theme of preserving cultural heritage and understanding the unknown aspects of natural history and human evolution.

This issue of WONDERS magazine, dated September 1994, presents a comprehensive collection of bibliographical entries, primarily focusing on the works of A. Hyatt Verrill. The magazine is divided into sections detailing periodical non-fiction and fiction by Verrill, with extensive lists of his published articles and stories, including publication dates, titles, and the periodicals in which they appeared. Additionally, the issue includes a 'Current Events' section that delves into reports and discussions about big cat sightings in the United States.

Periodical Non-Fiction of A. Hyatt Verrill

This section (entries 111-144) lists Verrill's non-fiction articles published in various periodicals from 1896 to 1951. Each entry provides the year of publication, the article title, the periodical name, and often the volume, issue number, and page range. Locations mentioned in the article titles include Costa Rica, New York, the Iwilics region, the Andes, Panama, Chile, Peru, and the British Isles. Topics range from hunting and exploration to descriptions of native cultures, natural history, and archaeological findings.

Notable entries include:

• 111. 1896: A Day's Sport in Costa Rica. Published in Outing.
• 113. 1901: Musk-ox Hunting among the Iwilics. Published in Outing.
• 117. 1917: My Boat Trip Through the Guiana Wilderness. Published in Harper's Monthly.
• 121. 1925: Jaunt through Central Chile. Published in Living Age.
• 129. 1927: Excavations in Coclé Province, Panama. Published in Indian Notes.
• 133. 1929: Oldest City in the New World. Published in Travel.
• 137. 1930: Mummy Mining in Peru. Published in Discovery.
• 140. 1937: Fun at the Seashore. Published in Christian Science Monitor Magazine.
• 143. 1948: Monsters of Modern Times. Published in Science Digest.

Periodical Fiction of A. Hyatt Verrill

This section (entries 145-173) lists Verrill's fictional works, primarily appearing in science fiction and pulp magazines from the 1920s and 1930s. Entries include the year, title, magazine name, and sometimes details about serializations or reprints. Magazines mentioned include Amazing Stories, Amazing Stories Quarterly, Strange Stories, Fantastic Adventures, and Tales of Wonder. The themes often involve mystery, adventure, and speculative concepts.

Notable entries include:

• 145. Astounding Discoveries of Doctor Mentiroso. Amazing Stories, November 1927.
• 147. Beyond the Pole. (2-part serial) Amazing Stories, October 1926.
• 148. The Bridge of Light. Amazing Stories Quarterly, Fall 1929.
• 152. The Exterminator. Amazing Stories, February 1931.
• 156. The Inner World. (3-part serial) Amazing Stories, June 1935.
• 163. The Plague of the Living Dead. Amazing Stories, April 1927.
• 172. When the Moon Ran Wild. Amazing Stories Quarterly, Winter 1931 (under pseudonym "Ray Ainsbury").

Sources

The issue concludes with a list of bibliographical sources used in compiling the Verrill bibliographies. These include indexes and encyclopedias related to weird fiction, science fiction anthologies, and science fiction magazines, compiled by authors such as Thomas G.L. Cockcroft, William Contento, Donald Day, Erwin S. Strauss, and Donald H. Tuck.

Current Events: Big Cats Black and Tan

This section addresses recent news and discussions concerning the presence of large cats, specifically cougars (Felis concolor) and the 'lunkasoose' (Panthera atrox), in the eastern United States. It references reports from various states and publications:

• Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia: Wildlife officials are quoted as stating that sightings are likely of Western cougars kept as pets, rather than native wild populations. D'Vera Cohn's reporting in The Washington Post is cited.
• Black Cats: Reports include Paul Schroyer seeing three "jet black" cats in Friendsville, Maryland, with his daughter videotaping them. The official explanation offered is 'fishers'.
• Wisconsin: Ron Schara reports 119 sightings in northern Wisconsin between 1991 and 1993. The state DNR suggested these might be jaguars or leopards escaped from captivity. Ray and Gary Canfield reported seeing a large black cat with a long tail.
• Vermont: John Lazenby's article "The Cat is Back" in Vermont Life is mentioned. Sightings in Craftsbury and Elmore State Park are detailed, with a scat sample from Craftsbury found to contain hairs of Felis concolor. Lazenby suggests these animals have always been present rather than returning.

The section concludes by noting that the neglect of these animals is contributing to their perceived disappearance.

Publisher Information

The back cover features information for Mark A. Hall Publications, located at Box 3153, Butler Sta, Mpls, MN 55403. It lists several of their publications, including:

• THE YETI, BIGFOOT & TRUE GIANTS: AN INTRODUCTION
• THUNDERBIRDS THE LIVING LEGEND! (2nd edition)
• NATURAL MYSTERIES (2nd edition)
• WONDERS - VOLUME TWO
• WONDERS - VOLUME ONE

Prices and publication details (year, pages, dimensions) are provided for these titles.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the cataloging of published works, particularly those related to natural history, exploration, and speculative fiction, as exemplified by the extensive bibliographies of A. Hyatt Verrill. The 'Current Events' section highlights a persistent interest in cryptozoology and unexplained animal sightings, presenting a contrast between official explanations and anecdotal evidence. The magazine appears to cater to an audience interested in mysteries, the unusual, and the natural world, with a focus on documenting and referencing published material. The editorial stance seems to be one of thorough documentation and exploration of various phenomena, whether historical, scientific, or anecdotal.