Benson -
A series of "strange doings" were reported by local sheriff, Waldo Pruitt, at a site about ten miles west of this small desert community. Pruitt first made his report Monday night, claiming that he had failed to locate a section of desert land after repeated investigation. The land in question was the site of the Desert Sanctuary Foundation, also known as the Sri Ram Ashram.
Locals in the area said they knew little about the activities of the sanctuary. Other sources reported yesterday that a spiritual Conference for Radical Faeries had been scheduled at the sanctuary over the Labor Day weekend. One organiser for the event was quoted as having said, "With luck we'll learn to levitate, as fairies should." No explanation was offered by the source overhearing the remark.
Pruitt first became aware of the event through reports about cattle displaying unusual behaviour in the vicinity of the sanctuary. Informants also claimed that large groups of men were engaging in orgiastic rituals. "They said that all the animals in the area started to act real strange," the sheriff explained. "I guess I don't mind what you do as long as you don't do it in public. But when you start in on plants and animals, well, then you've gone too far."
Pruitt and three deputies drove out to the site to investigate the disturbances. He claimed that a flashing of colored lights could be seen for miles around. But when the men arrived, "The land out there had just got up and plumb disappeared. All that was left was an old Gunsmoke set a few miles down the road." Pruitt said he will continue his investigation of the incident.
-- Anonymous in Thompson (1987:269-270).
Willow then states:
"So, amidst outcries from members of the general public up in arms
about
strange men doing 'unnatura' things, not only among themselves, but
also
to animals and plants, the Radical Faeries were born!" --Arthur