1989 Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt

Submitted by Joe Medallion (not verified) on Sun, 01/15/2012 - 1:33 PM

Found by the brothers Mike and Dan Reinartz and their buddy, Jim Murphy at about 1:45 a.m. inside an earmuff on the Capitol Mall the night after the last clue. Jim Murphy didn't realize his friends had found the medallion until he got home just after 3:00 a.m. – the crowds were that thick.

Hunt Information

Dates

Scheduled Dates

Sunday, January 29, 1989

Find Date

Saturday, February 4, 1989

Finders

Name

Mike Reinartz

Name

Dan Reinartz

Name

Jim Murphy

Prize

Maximum Prize

$4,000

Awarded Prize

$4,000

Location

General Location

State Capitol Mall

Pinpointed Location

Between the hedges south of Constitution Ave.

Concealer

In a pair of earmuffs

44.9524, -93.1022

Clues

Clue 1

Published Date

Saturday, January 28, 1989, 6:00 PM

Sooner or later,
The treasure will be found.
And we're making sure
It's on public ground.

Even if there's
A winter storm,
Look for something
That keeps people warm.

The official meaning of the clue.

"Something that keeps people warm" refers to the earmuffs in which the medallion was hidden.

Our Thoughts

The obvious "public ground" hiding place is given. It's funny how earmuffs seem to have died with the 1980s, isn't it?

Clue Rating

Clue 2

Published Date

Sunday, January 29, 1989, 6:00 PM

Pay attention
To this helpful rhyme.
People eat here
In the summertime.

The official meaning of the clue.

The Taste of Minnesota festival attracts thousands of people each summer.

Our Thoughts

In more recent years the Taste moved to Harriet Island and recently went bankrupt.

Clue Rating

Clue 3

Published Date

Sunday, January 29, 1989, 6:00 PM

A bike route's nearby
As you will surely see.
These few little words
Can be a helpful key.

The official meaning of the clue.

The bike route is on John Ireland Blvd., which bordered the treasure site.

Our Thoughts

These types of clues (bike routes, park benches, trees, and the like) rarely help unless you refer back to them in later clues. It is evident that they are useful to the clue writer in filling early clues without giving away too much too soon.

Clue Rating

Clue 4

Published Date

Monday, January 30, 1989, 6:00 PM

Very famous people
Who traveled to fame
Can make you the winner
In our treasure hunt game.

The official meaning of the clue.

The famous people are Christopher Columbus and Charles Lindbergh, whose statues are on the Capitol grounds.

Clue Rating

Clue 5

Published Date

Monday, January 30, 1989, 6:00 PM

Awesome horsepower
Is our clue of the day,
And it can help you
Find your way.

The official meaning of the clue.

This refers to the immense golden horses looking down from the Capitol dome.

Clue Rating

Clue 6

Published Date

Tuesday, January 31, 1989, 6:00 PM

Here's a clue
That fits the bill:
Be on the lookout
For a house on a hill.

The official meaning of the clue.

"The "house", of course, is the Capitol.

Clue Rating

Clue 7

Published Date

Tuesday, January 31, 1989, 6:00 PM

It's beautiful to see
By day or by night.
And when the sun goes down,
It's in a different light.

The official meaning of the clue.

This refers to the lighted Capitol at night.

Our Thoughts

Somewhat overdoing the clues related to the Capitol at this point.

Clue Rating

Clue 8

Published Date

Wednesday, February 1, 1989, 6:00 PM

Here's a clue,
But you won't want to share it.
Think of something
That's 14 karat.

The official meaning of the clue.

The "14 karat" is the gold statuary atop the Capitol.

Clue Rating

Clue 9

Published Date

Wednesday, February 1, 1989, 6:00 PM

A capital idea
Is the very best.
So bring your wits
And hunt with zest.

The official meaning of the clue.

"A capital idea" confirms the treasure is hidden on the Capitol grounds.

Clue Rating

Clue 10

Published Date

Thursday, February 2, 1989, 6:00 PM

There's a graphic reminder
Of very bad years,
And faith 'n' begorrah!
A ship's name is near.

The official meaning of the clue.

The "graphic reminder" refers to the Vietnam War Memorial near the Veterans Building. "Faith 'n' begorrah" and "a ship's name" call attention to John Ireland Blvd. and Constitution Ave., which bordered the treasure site.

Clue Rating

Clue 11

Published Date

Thursday, February 2, 1989, 6:00 PM

A couple of hedge rows
Box in the site.
A veteran hunter
Will do it just right.

The official meaning of the clue.

"Veteran" narrows the search to the area near the Veterans Building. The treasure was hidden between two rows of hedges.

Clue Rating

Clue 12

Published Date

Friday, February 3, 1989, 6:00 PM

The Capitol Mall
Is the hiding place.
Look north of a green fence
And you'll win the race.

By a sidewalk that takes you
To a building for vets,
Is a fluffy white earmuff
With a treasure inset.

The official meaning of the clue.

The medallion was hidden inside an earmuff at the edge of the sidewalk, about 30 yards north of the fenced-in area near the Veterans Building.

Clue Rating