1995 Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt

Submitted by Joe Medallion (not verified) on Sun, 01/15/2012 - 3:26 PM

Found by Cookie Howard, Kay Anderson, and Rachel Olson, a trio of bridge players that had been looking for the medallion for three decades. The crafty women found the bounty in a yarn pouch at Battle Creek Park after only six clues, after identifying BATTLE as the initials of each clue.

Hunt Information

Dates

Scheduled Dates

Sunday, January 22, 1995

Find Date

Saturday, January 28, 1995

Finders

Name

Cookie Howard

Name

Kay Anderson

Name

Rachel Olson

Prize

Maximum Prize

$4,000

Awarded Prize

$4,000

Location

General Location

Battle Creek Park

Pinpointed Location

Near the picnic shelter on Winthrop St.

Concealer

Wrapped in a knit yarn pouch

44.936, -93.0116

Clues

Clue 1

Published Date

Saturday, January 21, 1995, 6:00 PM

Befitting the season, there's a reason
To begin your search without fail.
Your reward could be mighty pleasin'
If you unravel our treasure tale.

The official meaning of the clue.

"Unravel" hints at the fact that the medallion is hidden in a knitted yarn pouch.

Our Thoughts

Rare for Clue 1, this gives up the yarn pouch as a hiding place right away.

Clue Rating

Clue 2

Published Date

Sunday, January 22, 1995, 6:00 PM

A thing to realize as you hunt for the prize
Is that you can't go wide of the mark.
Ramsey County is where the treasure lies
And it's hidden in a public park.

The official meaning of the clue.

Confines the search to a public park in Ramsey County.

Our Thoughts

Back to the mundane stuff – noted by veteran diggers as "laying the blanket;" you don't dig yet, you just watch the clue writer build the layers of snow.

Clue Rating

Clue 3

Published Date

Monday, January 23, 1995, 6:00 PM

'Tis no easy measure to secure the treasure
But here's a clue to help you get by.
To end your hunt with great pleasure,
Look for water in the earth and sky.

The official meaning of the clue.

Water in the "earth" refers to a pond next to the medallion site. Water in the "sky" is a reference to at least two water towers (including one near Sun Ray Shopping Center) that can be seen from the site.

Clue Rating

Clue 4

Published Date

Tuesday, January 24, 1995, 6:00 PM

To succeed in this deed, look where the weed
Meets the seasonal plastic and wood.
This clue will help you speed
To the appropriate neighborhood.

The official meaning of the clue.

"Seasonal plastic and wood" refers to the sleds and skis that are used in Battle Creek Park. The word "speed" also suggests how fast sleds can go down the large hill nearby.

Clue Rating

Clue 5

Published Date

Wednesday, January 25, 1995, 6:00 PM

Letters times three will help you to see
When you've come into view of the prize.
So search out this trio faithfully
And soon you'll be wealthy and wise.

The official meaning of the clue.

"Letters time three" refers to the 3M Co. headquarters building, which is visible from the park.

Clue Rating

Clue 6

Published Date

Thursday, January 26, 1995, 6:00 PM

Every time you read a new rhyme
You'll be nearer the treasure location,
For these verses are a trove most sublime
Of initial information.

The official meaning of the clue.

This clue, with its reference to "initial information", tells treasure hunters that the first letters of each verse (there are 15 in all) spell out the words BATTLE CREEK PARK.

Our Thoughts

Of course, it took the lovely ladies of '95 only "BATTLE" to complete the task.

Clue Rating

Clue 7

Published Date

Friday, January 27, 1995, 6:00 PM

Consider a place to learn as you try to discern
The location of your quarry.
And if you need guidance on where to turn
Just keep your search elementary.

The official meaning of the clue.

"A place to learn", "guidance", and "elementary" all refer to Battle Creek Magnet School, which is near the medallion site.

Clue Rating

Clue 8

Remember the thrill of going downhill
As you hunt for an object in the snow.
And if you want to prove your skill,
Look for a place where oak and pine grow.

The official meaning of the clue.

"The thrill of going downhill" refers to the sledding hill (formerly used as a ski slope as well) near the treasure site. "Oak and pine" are common trees in the vicinity of the medallion's hiding place.

Clue Rating

Clue 9

Evidence on the trail of this holy grail
Can often be quite conflicting.
So if you really hope to prevail,
Thoughts of a fight won't be restricting.

The official meaning of the clue.

"Conflicting" and "fight" are references to the name of the medallion site "Battle" Creek Park.

Clue Rating

Clue 10

Enough of this helter, enough of this skelter,
Here's a clue that's not so demanding.
If you find your way to shelter,
The results could be outstanding.

Keep history in mind of the Puritan kind
And think of a governor named John.
This will put you on the road to a find
That will make you richer ere long.

The official meaning of the clue.

"Shelter" refers to the small picnic pavilion near the medallion site. The second verse is a reference to Winthrop Street and to the famous Puritan of that name, John Winthrop, who was governor of Massachusetts in the 1630's and 1640's.

Clue Rating

Clue 11

Perhaps we're to blame if this puzzling game
Has become a source of displeasure.
But think of an old Ford with an avian name
And you'll soon close in on the treasure.

Also seek the dream by the brink of a stream
(Careful, this clue is full of deceit),
Looking over hill and dale would also seem
A good way to be near the right street.

The official meaning of the clue.

"An old Ford with an avian name" is Falcon, which is also the name of an avenue near the medallion site. "Seek the dream by the brink of a stream" refers to another nearby street, Edgebrook Avenue, as does the reference to "hill and dale" (Hillsdale Avenue).

Clue Rating

Clue 12

Really out in the dark and off the mark?
Well, here's a clue that's hard to beat.
The treasure's in Battle Creek Park
In the vicinity of Winthrop Street.

Keep in view picnic pavilion No. 2,
Then go 75 paces west southwest.
And if lady luck smiles upon you
Your search will be crowned with success.

The official meaning of the clue.

Gives final directions to the medallion.

Clue Rating