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Tour of Pottsville - FOUR Mystery Cache

Hidden : 11/22/2010
Difficulty:
4 out of 5
Terrain:
4 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

A little puzzle and a little hike to an ammo can.

Another Tour of the City of Pottsville. This time we decided to make it a little 4 mit a bull. The story of the founding of our little town will give you the information you need to find the cache. The coordinates above will be of no help.
Caution...If you need the hint you will be directed to a location that will give insight into the puzzle, but it may require you to go back to a computer to use the information or sit down with your smart phone and do some work.
After solving the puzzle your tour will take you to a quiet spot where an ammo can awaits.

There is no reason not to believe this story is true. It has been passed down to the current residents of Pottsville by their ancestors and while it may have been embellished somewhat, the basic facts are indisputable.
It was the dead of winter when the settlers arrived with all their worldly goods in three small carts and two larger wagons. The Potts family had five very tiny children who would grow up to be the founders of present Pottsville. Kirkbride Potts bargained with the Indians for a small plot of land overlooking the creek and four larger ones in the valley. The five small children would someday inherit these farms and some of the estates are still in the Potts family. The names of the children were Abernathy, Belweather, Beauregard, Bea, and Em and their names can be found in Potts Cemetery today. Four of these children died of smallpox and one had a large growth on his foot which finally led to his demise. It is said that the three men were strapping lads of 6’5” or more and the two females were quite petite.

The other families had five grown children between them. The family names of Shrekenhofer, Siebenmiller, Willocowski, Beautigoing, and Lee are still quite prominent in the area. Three of their homes were quite small because of their poor circumstances, but two families built mansions on nearby hills that remain today. These families were soon joined by the Witheringtons, Puttershowings, Wobbleratuns, Mattersingtons, and Fizthuffingtons who set up homesteads in the new community. The new settlers soon set up a government and formed three small townships and two larger ones that covered most of what is now Pope County. Early photographs show Pottsville of the mid 1800s with a small livery stable, and four large stores. Russellville was similar in size in those days, but had fallen into moral decay as evidenced by an old photo showing one tiny church and four huge saloons. I have read two very long versions of the chronicles above and three short tales of similar theme and find them all very believable.

2nd hint posted at noon November 28

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Guvegl svir svsgrra sbhe fvkgl rvtug Mreb avargl guerr mreb guerr sbhe svsgl avar 2aq uvag: Gur fgbel bs gur sbhaqvat bs Cbggfivyyr jnf vafcverq ol gur jbex bs na byq tragyrzna anzrq Svayrl Oerrfr. Uvf jbex vf ersyrpgrq va rnpu fragrapr.

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)