Medallion Clues: 1987

1987 Clues

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Found in Indian Mounds Park wrapped in clay and grass by George L'Heureux, his two boys Danny and Joey, and his buddy Scott Horrigan. They used a metal detector. George was the main man behind the find. He was a service technician at Stillwater Ford-Lincoln-Mercury and he intended to spend his share of the money on a transmission for a truck that couldn't go in reverse. He'd been looking for the treasure for 22 years, so at least a true hunter found it – even if he "cheated" with a metal detector.

Clue 1

Published on Jan. 25, 1987

We won't keep you
In the dark.
Confine your search
To a public park.

Our Thoughts: The usual, but given in stunningly short detail.

Clue 2

Published on Jan. 26, 1987

Fun stuff for the young 'uns,
Picnic places too,
And if you like nature,
This is for you.

Our Thoughts: This clue indicates that there are swings and picnic benches in a natural setting.

Clue 3

Published on Jan. 26, 1987

There's lots of water
Not far away.
Thinking about this
Can really pay.

Our Thoughts: "Lots of water" refers to the Mississippi River, which is nearby.

Clue 4

Published on Jan. 27, 1987

Paths to bike
And paths to walk,
Watch for signs
That do all but talk.

Our Thoughts: "Signs that do all but talk" refers to the illustrated signs directing bikers and walkers on the park's paths.

Clue 5

Published on Jan. 27, 1987

Whatever the season,
This dome's a proud sight,
And through many a wedding,
It's been a delight.

Our Thoughts: The dome mentioned is that of the St. Paul Cathedral, clearly visible from the treasure site.

Clue 6

Published on Jan. 28, 1987

Flying objects
In the air,
Solving this clue
Can get you there.

Our Thoughts: The "flying objects" are the many aircraft taking off and landing at nearby Holman Field.

Clue 7

Published on Jan. 28, 1987

Don't give up,
Be a stubborn sort.
Take your case
To a higher court.

Our Thoughts: The "higher court" mentioned here refers to a tennis court located on higher ground overlooking the treasure site.

Clue 8

Published on Jan. 29, 1987

Standing tall
Against the sky,
High above joggers
Passing by.

Our Thoughts: The object which is "standing tall" near the treasure site is a steel signal tower.

Clue 9

Published on Jan. 29, 1987

If the treasure
Is to be found,
Don't put your feet
On sacred ground.

Our Thoughts: This clue, with its warning, narrows the search to Mounds Park, and makes it clear that hunters should avoid the burial mounds.

Clue 10

Published on Jan. 30, 1987

There's a sweet candy bar,
Whose name you know well,
And a strange movie sicko
who ran a motel.

Our Thoughts: The "sweet candy bar" refers to a Mounds bar, which confirms Mounds Park. The "movie sicko" is Norman Bates from "Psycho." Bates Avenue intersects Mounds Blvd., just a short distance from the treasure site.

Clue 11

Published on Jan. 30, 1987

Picture in your mind
A long line of trees,
And think of the word
Isosceles.

Our Thoughts: The "long line of trees" borders the treasure site on one side. "Isosceles" tells treasure hunters that the site is triangular in shape. Another finely written clue in a year of tight rhymes – you have to like the use of the word "Isosceles."

Clue 12

Mounds Park is the place
You're looking for,
In a triangular spot
Near a yellow door.

Since nobody's found it,
Alack and alas,
Look for the treasure
Wrapped in clay and grass.

Our Thoughts: This final clue tells exactly what to look for. The "yellow door" is found on a house that borders the west side of the triangular area. The final line tells hunters the medallion is hidden in a coating of clay and grass.

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During the 1990�s, the St Paul Pioneer Press opened online discussion forums. These forums were called Water Coolers. The forums had discussion topics related to sports, politics, news, and current events. Each year, the Pioneer Planet � the online section of the Pioneer Press � opened a discussion forum as a media for hunters to discuss the clues for the Winter Carnival Medallion Hunt.

During the earlier years, one might find a few hundred posts during the hunt. As more hunters had computers, those numbers jumped. From 1997 to 1998, the number of posts increased from the hundreds to the 5-digit thousands. It was during the 1998 hunt the Cooler Crew was born.

The community spirit and teamwork displayed in the Pioneer Press Medallion Hunt thread was inspiring. The group of hunters found themselves at the end of a hunt not wanting to let go of new friendships and the camaraderie found on the Water Cooler board. The idea emerged to do what anyone would do in the middle of winter in Minnesota. A picnic in Cherokee was planned - the first Rehash Bash!

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Countdown to the 2010 Pre-Dig Gig

2 days, 16 hours, 48 minutes, 35 seconds ago.

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This site is dedicated to the St. Paul Pioneer Press Medallion Hunt, a main attraction of the annual St. Paul Winter Carnival that takes place every year in the smaller of the Twin Cities. For more on the Winter Carnival, try the following:

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The Here and Beyond

All the clues from all the years are now available. They're not currently as perfectly explained as they ought to be, but we're getting there. As time permits, the clue descriptions will be cleaned up and anecdotes will be added to make you laugh and clap. At the moment, we're working on getting all of the supplemental information into the same dynamic page engine as the clues are. As we do, more of the site will be converted to the dynamic pages you currently see, and links may be temporarily broken as a result. If you ever find anything that offends you, don't hesitate to write and complain. No malice or poor taste is ever intended in these family-friendly pages.

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