1952 Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt

Submitted by Joe Medallion (not verified) on Tue, 01/10/2012 - 11:01 PM

Found in Highland Park by Arthur M. Jensen, 41, of 206 Thomas (the age and address of a profiled person were once routinely given freely in the Press/Dispatch). It was located "on a knoll" at Leland and W. 7th about 30 feet from a tree in a clump of weeds, and the lucky Mr. Jensen found it after eleven clues. A story in the next day's paper read: "Jensens Tap Boreas' Jackpot -- $1,000 Treasure Finder's Wife Buys Hat."

Hunt Information

Dates

Scheduled Dates

Thursday, January 24, 1952

Find Date

Wednesday, January 30, 1952

Finders

Name

Arthur Jensen

Hometown

Saint Paul

Name

Henning Jensen

Hometown

Saint Paul

Prize

Maximum Prize

$1100

Awarded Prize

$1100

Location

General Location

Highland Park

Pinpointed Location

Leland & W. 7th Street

Concealer

Treasure Chest in a clump of weeds

44.9105, -93.153

Clues

Clue 1

Published Date

Thursday, January 24, 1952, 6:00 PM

Hidden in Boreas' rollicking realm
Lies his treasure chest --
Not in a lake and not in a river;
These clues will solve your quest.

The official meaning of the clue.

States that the treasure chest has been hidden.

Our Thoughts

The first clue rules out the need for ice fishing or kayaking, but doesn't pinpoint Ramsey County as modern first clues do. "Boreas' rollicking realm" can be assumed as such, but I bet a phrase of this nature wouldn't deter a foray into the Mill City by newbies, ya hey?

Clue Rating

Clue 2

Published Date

Friday, January 25, 1952, 6:00 PM

Don't trespass on your neighbor's lawn
For it's public property the treasure's on.
But you can see a river or a lake,
And that, my friends, is the route to take.

Our Thoughts

The Mississippi River is visible from the hiding place.

Clue Rating

Clue 3

Published Date

Friday, January 25, 1952, 6:00 PM

Eighty yards or so from nearest road
Will lead you to the treasure load.
Add up these clues day by day,
For a thousand dollars you may take away.

Our Thoughts

This clue tells you that the hidden chest is not near a road, so hunters should be looking somewhere in the middle of a park.

Clue Rating

Clue 4

Published Date

Saturday, January 26, 1952, 6:00 PM

Boreas' treasure's in Ramsey County.
Will you be the one to find his bounty?
Thirty feet from the nearest tree --
That's where the Carnival Chest will be.

Our Thoughts

The chest was found about 30 feet from a tree, but why did they wait so long to tell diggers it was in Ramsey County? Working out the kinks, I guess. This clue summed up really reads: "Okay, it's in the second largest county in the state...now go look near a tree, but not too near!"

Clue Rating

Clue 5

Published Date

Saturday, January 26, 1952, 6:00 PM

Boreas' loot is hid near trees
To guard it against Vulcan's thieves.
Underbrush lies here and there;
We hope you find the treasure's lair.

Our Thoughts

Underbrush, weeds, tall grass, bushes, trees. It's all the same, really, when you're hoping for something more to go on.

Clue Rating

Clue 6

Published Date

Sunday, January 27, 1952, 6:00 PM

Above the ground but under the snow
The thousand bucks will almost glow.
If, however, the snow should go,
Underbrush or leaves will cover the dough.

Our Thoughts

An early necessity clue: Don't dig into the earth! Remember, there was no precedent for the hunt at this point. Even today folks seem to need to be told not to dig below the snow. Have you seen some modern day dig sites? Somebody needs to tell these people the medallion's not going to be hidden in an ancient Sioux buffaloskin pouch.

Clue Rating

Clue 7

Published Date

Sunday, January 27, 1952, 6:00 PM

At least three miles and perhaps more for measure
From the Dispatch lies the Carnival Treasure.
And we hope both young and old
Will follow these clues as they unfold.

Our Thoughts

The finder openly wondered afterward why so many folks stuck to Cherokee Park, when this clue clearly delivers the message that the chest is hidden 3 miles from the downtown headquarters of the Dispatch-Pioneer Press.

Clue Rating

Clue 8

Published Date

Monday, January 28, 1952, 6:00 PM

From the treasure's site you can see
The Father of Waters -- the Mississippi.
Join in the spirit of Carnival fun;
Seek your fortune that's under the sun.

Our Thoughts

This makes Clue 2 more clear.

Clue Rating

Clue 9

Published Date

Monday, January 28, 1952, 6:00 PM

A structure of gray is across the street
From the treasure's site about four hundred feet.
Don't weep and wail if you don't succeed,
Tomorrow might bring the clue you need.

Our Thoughts

This clue points to a gray house across the street from the hiding place.

Clue Rating

Clue 10

Published Date

Tuesday, January 29, 1952, 6:00 PM

Also one can see in the sky
Seven large smokestacks standing up high.
Get out your map of this domain,
You can find the spot if you use your brain.

Our Thoughts

Once you found the spot in Highland Park where you could see seven smokestacks, it is assumed that finding a view of the river and a gray house would become easy. Mark off thirty paces from a few trees, make sure you're not exactly near a road, and a grand could be yours.

Clue Rating

Clue 11

Published Date

Tuesday, January 29, 1952, 6:00 PM

An area has been cleared by a city snowplow
Within fifty yards from the chest by now.
Now that you've practically found the chest
You'll see two tree stumps to the west.

Our Thoughts

With these fine hints, Arthur Jensen was able to find the treasure chest and buy his wife a nice hat.

Clue Rating

Clue 12

Remember, do not dig under the land,
If you wish the chest to be in your hand;
Instead it is just under the snow,
High on a point for all to know.

Our Thoughts

A repeat. Even the clue writers seemed to know it would be found by now.

Clue Rating

Clue 13

And here it is, the final clue,
Telling you exactly what to do:
Hurry out West Seventh as fast as a sparrow;
The point's southeast from an archer's arrow.
We've had fun, we must confess.
Good hunting from the Dispatch-Pioneer Press.

Our Thoughts

It doesn't exactly pinpoint the site, but it would seem enough to help today's throng of diggers find a big ol' treasure chest (actually, it was small enough to cup in both hands). It was more than enough for the instantly successful 1950s community hunt as well.

Clue Rating