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Possum Glory Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Cacheoholic: Had a good run. Just don’t have the time or interest to maintain any longer.

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Hidden : 8/30/2008
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

Good old fashion cache. 50 cal ammo box hidden in the
woods. This is one cache in a series of LAGI (Labor day Anti Guardrail Initiative) caches.

This cache is one in a series of conservative caches in an effort to return Geocaching back to its adventurous roots. There used to be a day when caches were hidden at a unique spot and not because “there aren’t any caches around here”. Let’s face it; there isn’t much adventure in grabbing a wally world light post cache. If you like to hug guardrails then maybe this cache isn’t for you. I left an un-activated Travel Bug tag for FTF.

The trail for this cache is an un-gated road located between the gated ICSMA road and the ICSMA Waste Water Treatment Plant off SR-403. This is the abandon Possum Glory Railroad. It is a short hike, less that a mile round trip to the remains of the old Possum Glory Coal Mine.

In 1894 J.M. Stewart of Indiana (Jimmy Stewart’s dad) bought this property at a sheriff’s sale. Four years later he sold it to a coal broker named John Heisley Weaver. About 1904 John Heisley Weaver of Philadelphia opened a coal mine at Possum Glory in Pine Township, Indiana County. By 1912, Possum Glory would become known as Heilwood, taken from Mr. Weaver's nickname “Heil” and the name of his first mine in Kingwood, WV (Heisleywood). (An old road sign once located south of Heilwood on PA 403 said that the town was named for John Heil Weaver.) The coal was shipped over the Possum Glory Branch of the Cherry Tree and Dixonville Railroad (CT&D), a joint venture of the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) and the New York Central (NYC). Another investor, B. Dawson Coleman, was also buying large tracts of mining rights in the area. A partnership was formed in 1909 between Coleman and Weaver, with Weaver holding 60% control of the partnership. While planning their mining ventures in the area, Coleman and Weaver realized that owning a railroad to serve their mines as well as others in the immediate area would be quite advantageous, so the decision was made to purchase the Blacklick and Yellow Creek Railroad when the Vinton Lumber Company offered it for sale for the price of $100,000. In 1911 this railroad was renamed the Cambria & Indiana Railroad. This railroad was a vital economic artery of the eastern Indiana County economy. These two businessmen built many a town using syllables from their names. Some examples are Colver, Revloc (Colver spelled backwards) and Manver. Heilwood prospered and boasted a hospital, public school, Hotels and a pretty lavish Superintendents house which still remains.

Remember, if you see a possum here; leave it alone because it was here first!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Ybbx orgjrra gur gjb snyyra fbyqvref.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)