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1953 Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt, Second Chest

Submitted by Joe Medallion (not verified) on

Mrs. Elaine Monahan, "a 22-year-old St. Paul mother" found the second treasure in a bush near the Poultry Building. What led her there were not clues pinpointing what building to dig near, but the sound of nearby sparrows. The "brown-haired, blue-eyed Mrs. Monahan" must've assumed the newspaper planted them there just for the treasure hunt.

Hunt Information
Dates
Scheduled Dates
Wednesday, February 4, 1953
Find Date
Sunday, February 8, 1953
Finders
Name
Elaine Monahan
Hometown
Saint Paul
Prize
Maximum Prize
$500
Awarded Prize
$500
Location
General Location
Minnesota State Fairgrounds
Pinpointed Location
Near the Poultry Building
Concealer
Near the base of a tree

44.9787, -93.175

Clues
Clue 1
Published Date
Wednesday, February 4, 1953, 6:00 PM

By now you know Chest One was found;
It rested on the frozen ground
High on a bluff in Cherokee --
A lass it was who had the key.
Since with such ease the Chest was found,
Another treasure's in the ground;
And as you all were proved so smart,
We're sure you'll know just where to start.
So this much we will gladly say:
It's somewhere in the U.S.A.

The official meaning of the clue.

Tells that the first chest has been found and that a second treasure chest has been hidden.

Our Thoughts

The first hunt lasted only four days so the Press hid a second chest on February 4, 1953, the day the first had been found. However being "in the ground" concerns us.

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Clue 2
Published Date
Wednesday, February 4, 1953, 6:00 PM

The treasure's hid from human eye
Because it's buried in the snow.
And trees are seen from either side --
That's all for now you're gonna know.

The official meaning of the clue.

Refers to the treasure being hidden on the ground with nearby trees.

Our Thoughts

Whew. They didn't hide it in the ground, but on the ground and in the snow.

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Clue 3
Published Date
Thursday, February 5, 1953, 6:00 PM

Come out and seek the precious chest
Or stay at home and wonder.
Make sure it's public property,
Or you won't find the plunder.

The official meaning of the clue.

Reminds searchers that the treasure is hidden on public property.

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Clue 4
Published Date
Thursday, February 5, 1953, 6:00 PM

If o'er the treasure you now should stand,
You'll see no water but only land;
And if the sun should brilliant be,
You can rest in the shade of a sturdy tree.

The official meaning of the clue.

Narrows the search area by eliminating any area where water is visible. It also points out a nearby tree.

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Clue 5
Published Date
Friday, February 6, 1953, 6:00 PM

A road runs by not far away,
And buildings can be seen;
The spot on which the dollars lie,
In summer would be green.

The official meaning of the clue.

Refers to a normally grassy area and the many State Fair buildings nearby.

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Clue 6
Published Date
Friday, February 6, 1953, 6:00 PM

If still you're all fouled up on this,
And wish to find the bounty,
Don't cross a river for the loot,
But stay in Ramsey county.

The official meaning of the clue.

Narrows the search to Ramsey County and the word "fouled" is a reference to the poultry building at the fairgrounds.

Our Thoughts

Up until this point in in the hunt's short history, the clues were literal descriptions of the treasure location. This clue, with the foul reference to the poultry building is the first word puzzle that has appeared in the clues.

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Clue 7
Published Date
Saturday, February 7, 1953, 6:00 PM

The buildings, too, are public owned --
Between them guide your feet,
And listen for a feathered song
Tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet.

The official meaning of the clue.

Another reference to the State Fair buildings and also hints at the poultry building.

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Clue 8

It's only fair to tell you that
The treasure's still unfound;
And horses sometimes tread nearby
The much sought-after ground.

The official meaning of the clue.

Refers to the nearby horse barn and the word "fair" is hinting at the fairgrounds.

Our Thoughts

Another word puzzle! Yippee!

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Clue 9

And here it is, the final clue,
Telling exactly what to do.
Between two buildings lies the chest --
The base of a tree I think is best.
Ducks, and chicks, and geese gonna scurry,
When you step outside in your surrey.
Horses will neigh and cattle bellow,
That's all, my friend, good luck to you, fellow.

The official meaning of the clue.

Does not specifically point out the fairgrounds but references the poultry building, the cattle barn, and the horse barn and also states that the treasure is buried under the base of a tree.

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