Historical Reports from the Gazette Archives 11.04.04

FIRST OF A THREE PART SERIES

History of the Tall Tales Gazette and how the Gazette became involved with the International Friends of SK (IFSK) is a lot like the mystery surrounding Ivan H. Jones, the Gazette founder, publisher and original editor.

Sometime in the spring 1972 it became apparent that there were several cults surrounding numerous people, mostly men, that had a global reach. The two that seemed based on the personality and not the persuasiveness of it's leaders were the followers behind a young man from the mid-west and a relative unknown who lived along the coast of Oregon and northern California.

What made these two such standouts were the facts that one was in his early twenties, the other much older. An exact age has never been established. Both were not seeking followers. Neither of them asked for monies or valuables. Neither of them could be considered overly religious. All traits that were blatant in other cult followings of the time.

The similarities of these two have even led some to believe the two are one in the same. A fact that has not been proven nor has it been shown that they are not the same man. Possible age differences not withstanding.

The followers of these two are very similar to the point that many of the followers belong and associate within each others group.

The two groups are neither violent or advocates for any cause but seem to have one tangible goal. That goal is to please and to be with their leader/s.

The entire membership, at least that which can be tracked, is in it's entirety women. A wide range of ages from the college girl to the mature housewife and even the occasional woman of mature years. The followers of Ivan H. Jones were large in number, the closest count that was ever made was nineteen hundred and thirty seven female followers. The followers from the IFSK numbered far fewer. The best guess as far as membership is somewhere around a hundred, although as time progresses and new members are added that number grows but as to what extent is unknown.

The members of the International Friends of SK have expanded their membership by accepting only the elite, educated and well traveled. Some would call them 'World Wise Beauties'. While the followers of Ivan H. Jones seemed to consist of mainly your average woman, 'plain janes' if you will.

The two groups have converged into one, but as to who they consider their leader is unclear. What is clear is the fact that this merged group has survived the mass suicides, arrests and the eventual fallibility of their leadership, like that which befalls all other known cults.

READ PART TWO OF THIS SERIES