Mr President Pro Tempore?
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MULTI WAYPOINT PUZZLE CACHE. HAVE FUN AND LET ME KNOW IF EVERYTHING IS OK WITH THIS. THERE ARE NO POSTED OPEN AND CLOSED TIMES AT THE SECOND STAGE, BUT I WILL PRESUME THAT IT'S OPEN DAYLIGHT TO DARK. final stage is open 6 am to midnight. FINAL WAYPOINT IS AN AMMO CAN
Plattsburg, Missouri is Home of the
President for One Day
David Rice Atchison
Plattsburg is the final home and resting place of the man who served as President of the United States only one day. David Rice Atchison, however, built a much larger reputation during his life.
YOUNG ATCHISON
Atchison was born in Frogtown, Kentucky on August 11, 1807, the eldest of six children. His parents, William and Catherine, of Scotch-Irish stock, owned much farmland in the area. In 1825, at age 14, young David entered the nationally respected Transylvania University, graduating with honors four years later. Tuition at the time ran fifty dollars a year. He then entered the Bar in Kentucky.
The young lawyer, much like thousands of others, was attracted to the Western frontier. In 1830 he passed the Missouri Bar exam and moved to the new town of Liberty on the Missouri River. This six foot-two inch outdoorsman loved hunting, social life, and politics, quickly earning the respect of Clay County citizens. He was described as coarse yet respectful, thunderous but generous, and of unimpeachable courage and stainless honor.
MISSOURIAN
Atchison was elected Major General of the “Liberty Blues”, the local unit of the state militia; and in partnership with attorney Alexander W. Doniphan, took on the mast controversial client of the tine. The Mormon Church, under the direction of its founder Joseph Smith, was being driven from Jackson County in the first of decade—long skirmishes called the Mormon Wars. Atchison was retained by the Church to protect their property rights. Ignoring public outrage, he used both militia and the legal system to assure those rights.
His integrity and dogged determination won Atchison a seat in the state legislature in 1834, and an 1841 appointment as Twelfth District Circuit Judge. In the state legislature, he helped initiate the addition to Missouri of the six Western counties known as the Platte Purchase. One of those counties bears his name. His court circuit included the newly formed counties of Platte and Clinton.
The death of Lewis Linn in 1843 allowed Governor Thomas Reynolds to appoint Atchison to the United States Senate. There he joined such men as Jackson, Benton, and Webster in the period termed the Golden Age of the Senate. By such distinguished voices the Democrat was selected
President pro tempore of the Senate 16 times--14 times without dissent.
The Faithful Champion of the South” was best known for his strong expansionist views and was a driving force In the annexation of Oregon, Texas, and New Mexico territories.
THE PRESIDENCY
His unique place in Presidential history occurred Sunday March 4, 1849. Outgoing vice-president George M. Dallas had already resigned from office the Friday before. The term of President James K. Polk expired at noon on the Fourth. The incoming Zachary Taylor refused to take his oath on the Sabbath, waiting until 11:30 Monday morning. For that 23 and 1/2 hour period, the Nation had no elected Chief Executive. The Succession Law of 1792 stated the head of the Senate automatically became President should the top two offices be vacant. Atchison was that man.
How Atchison spent his abbreviated term of office is a subject of much controversy. Since the Senate had met in late night sessions all week, the President slept through much of his tern, but he did enjoy the notoriety of his position. Many colleagues, tongues planted firmly in cheek, begged for ambassador and cabinet positions.
BORDER POLITICIAN
Upon his retirement in 1855, the Missouri legislature could not agree upon an replacement; consequently the State had only one Senator for two years. Atchison became an activist in the effort to make Kansas a state. He led a group termed the Border Ruffians on raids against free-soil settlers in the Territory. On statehood election day, the ex-President led hordes of Missourians to Kansas polls. Of 2095 eligible Kansas voters, 6307 votes were cast!
FINAL HOME
In 1857 he joined his brother Ben and family in building a two-story brick farmhouse on 1700 acres northwest of Plattsburg. Two years later, Ben died and David became the legal guardian of his nephew John, age 7.
While Atchison was writing his memoirs, the home--with all books and records--burned to the ground. Only the George Caleb Bingham portrait of the Senator was saved. A smaller frame house was built, but the memoirs were never completed. The elder statesman gained the reputation as a good friend and an excellent storyteller.
He passed away January 26, 1886 at age 79 and was buried in the Atchison family plot of Greenlawn cemetery in Plattsburg. A bronze statue was erected in 1928 by order of the Missouri legislature and today guards the entrance to the Clinton County courthouse in Plattsburg.
Listed waypoint will take to the statue located on the west side of the Clinton County Courthouse.
STAGE ONE: Find the granite marker on the south corner at the courthouse. From this marker you can get the numbers for the second waypoint-
39 33 ABC
094 26 CDD
A= the day of the month the marker was dedicated
B= the second NUMBER in the year
C= total of first second and fifth numbers you can see
D= number of the month it was dedicated
GO TO THIS WAYPOINT
SECOND STAGE:
within 10 feet of this waypoint you will find an Atchison that passed away in 1939. to get the third waypoint use the numbers on this marker
39 33 ABC
094 26.DED
A= the fourth NUMBER you see on this marker
B= the last number in the birth year
C= the second number minus the first number
D= the fourth number minus the second number
E= the number of the death MONTH
this cache is placed with permission from City Administrator DJ
Gehrt and Mayor James Kennedy
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)