Wonders - Vol 4 No 4 - 1995

Magazine Overview

WONDERS, Vol. 4, No. 4, published in December 1995, is a quarterly magazine subtitled 'Seeking the Truth in a Universe of Mysteries.' This issue is dedicated to the topic of 'Thunderbirds,' exploring their potential existence, historical accounts, and eyewitness testimonies.

The Status of the North American Thunderbird by Mark A. Hall

This article delves into the mystery of the North American Thunderbird, noting that it lacks a scientific name but is known by various popular names globally. The author suggests it may be a descendant of *Argentavis magnificens*, a fossil giant from South America. The bird is said to have a wingspan of 20 feet or more and has been reported across North America, from Alaska to Florida. Historically, it was 'very rarely or seldome seen' in 17th century New England. Its migratory habits are described, with appearances in the north during warm months and in southern regions during winter. Specific focus is given to Pennsylvania Thunderbirds, with reports of arrivals in late March and departures in late fall, and sightings in northern New York and Quebec. Modern reports in central states suggest a migratory route from Missouri through Illinois into Wisconsin, possibly nesting in northern Wisconsin or southern Ontario. The article notes that Thunderbirds are noticed in popular press accounts approximately every thirty years, suggesting their continued, albeit obscure, presence.

David St. Albans' sighting in Illinois in July 1968 is detailed, describing a large, black object with a pink head and a foot-long beak with what appeared to be teeth. His drawings, presented as Figs. 1 and 2, illustrate the bird's shape and head, suggesting a headless appearance due to the neck and head being bare of feathers and difficult to see against the sky. The article posits that the Thunderbird may have a serrated bill, useful for a large predator. This sighting is considered one of the most important on record, with future sightings hoped to confirm these observations.

The article touches upon the difficulty in researching Thunderbirds, noting that benefits to research are distant and unlikely. It emphasizes the need to determine where and when a threat to humans might exist and to learn of all possible appearances to understand their habits. The potential economic benefit to tourism from confirming the existence of these rare giants is also mentioned.

Thunderbirds in 1895

This section presents a transcribed newspaper account from the St. Louis Daily Globe Democrat, dated February 24, 1895, reporting on events in Addison, West Virginia (now Webster Springs). The article describes a 'gigantic bird' that had been terrorizing the region.

A key incident involves the disappearance of a 10-year-old girl, Landy Junkins, in February 1895. She was sent to a neighbor's cabin but vanished. Her tracks in the snow were followed to a point in a cleared field where they suddenly disappeared, baffling searchers. The article suggests the child may have been seized by a wild animal, but no animal tracks were found.

Another account details an encounter by Peter Swadley, a bear hunter, who was attacked by a 'huge bird' on Laurel Creek. The bird reportedly swooped down, dug its talons into Swadley's back, and fought him fiercely. Swadley lost his rifle and was injured, particularly over his left eye. His dog, Gunner, intervened, and the bird, in turn, attacked the dog, ripping open its stomach before flying away. Swadley, despite his wounds, managed to reach a cabin for help. He described the bird's strength as prodigious and its body as large as a man's.

A Deputy Sheriff's Experience

This article recounts an experience of Rube Nihiser, a County Deputy Sheriff, and his son Hanse, who were deer hunting near Spruce Creek, West Virginia. They witnessed a gigantic bird, described as immense, circling above a doe and fawn. The bird pounced on the animals, scratching out the doe's eyes. The bird's wingspan was estimated to be 15 to 18 feet, its body as large as a man's, and its cries loud and shrill. The feathers were dark brown with white on the wings and light underneath, and its eyes were described as tremendous and shining with terrible brilliancy. The bird eventually flew off with the fawn. The injured doe was humanely dispatched by Nihiser.

Ojibwa Myths and Tales

A brief mention and illustration (Fig. 3) refer to the Thunderbird being known to the American Indians, with details available in 'Thunderbirds! The Living Legend.' This illustration dates from 1918.

Notes

The issue includes a 'Notes' section, providing citations for the articles, referencing works by Mark A. Hall, Robert Lyman Sr., and Gerald Musinsky, along with articles from 'Fate Magazine' and 'World Explorer.'

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the exploration of the Thunderbird phenomenon, presented as a genuine mystery worthy of investigation. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting eyewitness accounts and historical data without outright dismissal. The magazine aims to seek 'the truth in a universe of mysteries,' suggesting a belief in the possibility of unexplained phenomena and creatures existing beyond conventional scientific understanding. The focus on detailed accounts and historical records indicates a commitment to documenting evidence, even if conclusive proof remains elusive. The magazine also highlights the potential for economic benefits, such as tourism, if the existence of such creatures were confirmed.

This issue of WONDERS magazine, dated December 1995, presents a collection of intriguing and often unexplained phenomena, ranging from local folklore and alleged supernatural events to historical magic tricks and reports of unusual aerial phenomena. The issue features articles on a mysterious sheep disappearance, the secrets behind the Indian Rope Trick, and reports of strange lights in Indiana.

How a Sheep Was Stolen

The first article details an inexplicable event in Webster, West Virginia, concerning a sheep belonging to Hanse Hardrick. The sheep vanished from a securely closed shed, leaving behind scattered wood and a hole in the roof, but no tracks in the deep snow. Hardrick, a mountaineer, attributed the event to a 'harnt' (spirit) and took superstitious measures like making hemlock crosses. However, he later became convinced an eagle was responsible, having seen one in the vicinity. The article also mentions Eph Cogar's accounts of a large bird and 'Pap' Tammen's recollection of similar incidents years ago, suggesting a recurring phenomenon.

The Indian Rope Trick

This extensive feature delves into the mystery of the Indian Rope Trick, a performance where a fakir appears to make a boy ascend a rope into thin air, only to be cut into pieces and then reassembled. The article presents two primary accounts: one from Captain Robert Quinton, who witnessed the trick in Port Canning, India, and was baffled by it, and another from Dr. Alexander Cannon. The trick involved a boy climbing a suspended rope, disappearing, and then reappearing after parts of his body were seemingly thrown to the ground. The article explores various explanations, including mass hypnosis, but ultimately leans towards a mechanical explanation. It credits writer and amateur magician John Keel with researching and revealing the secret, which involves a hidden wire, an assistant, and misdirection. The article notes that the trick requires immense skill and practice, which may explain its disappearance in modern times. It also touches upon other accounts and researchers like John Godwin, William Poundstone, and Lee Siegel, highlighting differing opinions on the trick's explanation and attribution of its secrets.

Life As We Know It Not

This section, written by Mark A. Hall, introduces reports of unusual life forms or phenomena that challenge conventional understanding. It begins by highlighting a report from Richmond, Indiana, in 1978, detailing events experienced by Martha Grieswell. Mrs. Grieswell reported the presence of 'flashing pinpoints of light' in her home that moved through walls, swam in water, and appeared to be intelligent and capable of learning. These lights, described as pinhead-sized and mostly white, were persistent and seemed to avoid fire. The article suggests these phenomena might be part of a larger, pervasive world of wonders that are not yet understood.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the unexplained, the mysterious, and the limits of human understanding. From the seemingly supernatural event of the stolen sheep to the elaborate illusion of the Indian Rope Trick and the perplexing lights reported in Indiana, WONDERS magazine consistently explores phenomena that defy easy explanation. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting accounts and evidence for readers to consider, while also attempting to provide rational explanations where possible, particularly in the case of the Indian Rope Trick. The magazine seems to embrace the idea that there are aspects of reality that remain beyond our current comprehension, encouraging curiosity and a willingness to explore the unknown.

Title: WONDERS
Issue: 111
Volume: 4
Date: December 1995

This issue of WONDERS magazine focuses on unexplained light phenomena, primarily exploring the concept of "Living Lights" through numerous witness accounts and expert speculation. The magazine presents a collection of intriguing cases, ranging from personal encounters with mysterious lights to broader discussions of UFOs and crop circles.

Martha Grieswell's Encounters

The central narrative follows Martha Grieswell, who claims to have been experiencing mysterious lights in her home. She describes these lights as capable of stinging or biting like a sweat bee, leaving small welts and causing discomfort. Grieswell recounts instances where the lights entered her eye, causing pain and subsequent swelling, and even her ear, resulting in a metallic taste. She notes that the lights exhibit a "tapping motion" and can "crawl" on her. Despite attempts to get rid of them, the lights persist. Grieswell has sought help from scientists, UFO investigators, and psychic researchers, one of whom suggested she might be on the verge of becoming a psychic medium.

Her experiences have attracted attention, with over 100 friends, relatives, and strangers visiting her home hoping to help. Some visitors, like Anna McDaniel, initially skeptical, also reported seeing lights and experiencing stings. Ruth Parsons described seeing tiny blue flashes and feeling a bite. Mike and Connie McClure also witnessed flashing lights and felt stings, likening the experience to being in a "swarm of mosquitoes."

Even a visit to her mother in Decatur did not provide an escape, as the lights reportedly followed her there.

Other Witness Accounts and Phenomena

The article broadens its scope to include other reported light phenomena. J.F. Hankins recounts an encounter in Ohio County, Kentucky, with a gas lantern-like light that moved at ground level and along a creek. The light was described as "bluish-like" and illuminated a wide area.

Brown Mountain in North Carolina is highlighted as a famous source of mysterious lights. Paul Rose, a local resident who has studied these lights for 40 years, describes witnessing glowing balls of orange and red light emerge from rock fissures. Geologist Dr. James McMeekin-Kerr is involved in collecting rock samples to investigate this phenomenon, with Rose hypothesizing it might be related to natural gas released from underground.

The concept of "Spook Lights" (SPOLTS) and "Luminous Ground Spheres" (LUGS) is introduced, characterized as large globes of light that re-occur in specific locations. These are presented as distinct but possibly related phenomena to the "Living Lights."

Sky-lights and Crop Circles

The article also touches upon "Sky-lights," described as mysterious light sources that can maneuver around aircraft and mimic radar, citing an encounter near the Gulf of Mexico. Harley Rutledge's catalog of frequent Sky-lights in southeastern Missouri is mentioned.

The phenomenon of "crop circles" is discussed as another potential manifestation of "Living Lights." The article notes that while many crop circles are hoaxes, some descriptions suggest an aerial source and unique characteristics that might identify genuine mysteries. George Wingfield reported an incident where people in a crop circle heard a trilling sound while a "luminous object, as bright as the moon...shaped like a pair of horns" was observed overhead.

The "Living Lights" Hypothesis

The core hypothesis presented is that these various light phenomena – from pinpoints of light to Spook Lights, Sky-lights, and potentially crop circle makers – might represent different levels of evolution of a single form of life native to Earth. These "Living Lights" are theorized to be alive, capable of responding to familiar life forms, and active primarily at night, possibly originating from within the Earth's crust or water environments.

The article acknowledges that these phenomena are complex and may have multiple sources or explanations. It suggests that humans may not yet be ready to fully understand or communicate with such life forms.

Investigations and Skepticism

While many witnesses report compelling experiences, the article also includes skeptical viewpoints. Esther Kellner, deputy director of Wayne County Civil Defense, investigated Mrs. Grieswell's house for radiation but found nothing. The reporter himself, Barry Wood, counts himself among those who did not witness the lights despite visiting the Grieswell house during prime viewing hours.

Index

The issue concludes with an index for Volume 4 of WONDERS, listing names, places, and subjects covered in the magazine's fourth volume, including numerous references to the light phenomena discussed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the unexplained nature of mysterious lights, the possibility of unknown life forms on Earth, and the challenges of investigating and understanding anomalous phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, presenting witness testimony and scientific speculation without definitively concluding the nature of the lights, but leaning towards the hypothesis of "Living Lights" as a unifying explanation for diverse sightings.