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1975 Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt

Submitted by Joe Medallion (not verified) on

Found by Andrea Buron and her brother-in-law, William J. Buron, in a Bull Durham tobacco sack wedged between the slats of a picnic bench in Mears Park on Tuesday after only 5 clues.

Hunt Information
Dates
Scheduled Dates
Sunday, January 26, 1975
Find Date
Tuesday, January 28, 1975
Finders
Name
Andrea Buron
Name
William J. Buron
Prize
Maximum Prize
$2,500
Awarded Prize
$1,500
Location
General Location
Mears Park
Pinpointed Location
Near the intersection of Sibley and 5th Sts.
Concealer
In a Bull Durham tobacco sack wedged in a picnic bench

44.9491, -93.088

Clues
Clue 1
Published Date
Saturday, January 25, 1975, 6:00 PM

We've searched around the saintly city
For a place to hide our bounty.
We think we've found the best one
In all of Ramsey County.

The official meaning of the clue.

Established the fact the treasure was hidden in Ramsey County.

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Clue 2
Published Date
Sunday, January 26, 1975, 6:00 PM

All tanks don't go to battlefields,
Some just stand in place.
This is the kind you will see
In the Boreas treasure race.

The official meaning of the clue.

"Tanks" is the clue, as it refers to the water tanks on the Metro Square Building and Donaldson's, both of which are in plain view from the park.

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Clue 3
Published Date
Sunday, January 26, 1975, 6:00 PM

Drive, walk, or hail a ride
To the site of fortune and fame.
The lower you look, the better the odds
Of winning the Boreas game.

The official meaning of the clue.

Established the fact that the treasure is accessible by car, walking, cab, or bus. The word "lower" refers to the Loop's Lowertown area.

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Clue 4
Published Date
Monday, January 27, 1975, 6:00 PM

Pick a day, and don your coat,
Muffler, gloves, and overshoe.
The treasure's waiting to be found
And the finder could be you

The official meaning of the clue.

"Pick a day" refers to Friday's Deli, which is in view of the treasure site.

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Clue 5
Published Date
Monday, January 27, 1975, 6:00 PM

Take a number and double it twice
It's sure to help your quest.
Try to pick the proper one
It's anybody's guess.

The official meaning of the clue.

"Take a number and double it twice" refers to the number 366, which is very prominent on the front of the building across the street from the treasure site.

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Clue 6

Footsteps hard instead of soft
Where trees still do abound
A famous comic's name appears
If you'll just look around

The official meaning of the clue.

"Footsteps hard instead of soft" is in reference to the fact that each of the park's grassy area has been covered by bricks, but there still are many trees. The "famous comic" is Milton Berle, whose first name appears on the Milton Clothing Co. Store across the street.

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Clue 7

In this complex world of ours,
Nothing stays the same.
It's still as lovely as before,
But they've gone and changed the name.

The official meaning of the clue.

"They've gone and changed the name" refers to the fact that the name Smith Park was recently changed to Norman Mears Park.

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Clue 8

Different people use different tools,
From a shovel to a scoop.
But if you want to find the treasure,
Keep searching in the loop.

The official meaning of the clue.

"Searching in the loop" establishes the fact the treasure was hidden in the downtown area.

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Clue 9

Slightly smaller than a quart,
It holds a lot of cheer.
And coupled with a stately hero,
It leads you very near.

The official meaning of the clue.

A bottle "smaller than a quart" is a fifth. The "stately hero" is Minnesota's first governor, Henry Sibley. The treasure spot was near the corner of Fifth and Sibley.

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Clue 10

Before the surgeon general's warning,
People rolled their own.
They got their tobacco from a bag
That now holds treasure alone.

The official meaning of the clue.

Established the fact that the treasure medallion had been hidden in a tobacco bag.

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Clue 11

A famous hitter at the plate
Is another revealing clue.
Think of his name and you will have
A word to help you through.

The official meaning of the clue.

"Famous hitter" refers to National Leaguer Johnny Bench of Cincinnati, most valuable player and league home run leader during the 1970 and 1972 seasons. The treasure was hidden on a park bench.

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Clue 12

In the southwest corner of old Smith Park
The glittering treasure lies.
A picnic spot where you can rest
Is where the hunter tries.

The official meaning of the clue.

Specifies a "picnic spot" in "old Smith Park" as the treasure location and also reveals the "southwest corner" as the spot to search.

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Clue 13

Between the slats of a picnic bench
Bull Durham holds the loot.
And if you have a Carnival button
You'll get the bonus to boot.

The official meaning of the clue.

Tells where the treasure was hidden on a picnic bench - and names its container, a Bull Durham tobacco sack.

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