GC4VRYE Shackles Island (Unknown Cache) in Minnesota, United States created by Team Dennis

This cache has been archived.

Team Dennis: Looks like the ghost of Dennis "Shackles" Jefferson has finally reclaimed his treasure...for good!

I'm really, really bummed to have to let this one go. Despite our best efforts, Mrs. Team Dennis and I were unable to locate the goods even though we used an ice axe, a snow shovel and we even borrowed Doodles' "Evil Wart Detector" as a last resort. We dug around the hiding spot for a good 20 minutes before we finally gave up.

Thanks to everyone who solved the puzzle and made the trek out to "Shackles Island". I always got a kick reading all the logs on this one. If anyone wants the spot, please feel free to take it.

GC4VRYE ▼

A cache by Team Dennis Message this owner

Hidden : 2/4/2014

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

Shackles Island
All Stillwater residents are familiar with the long and sometimes sordid history of the Minnesota State Prison. Most are aware that the original prison was located in the heart of Stillwater, and was known as the Minnesota Territorial Prison. Some are aware that the prison had a controversial past wrought with negligence and ineptitude. Few are aware that the Long Lake island played a significant role in one of the most baffling escapes in the prison’s history.

Escapes were common in the early years of the prison, but never were they more prolific than in 1856, when eight inmates escaped in a span of just 10 months. Of those eight escapees, only one managed to permanently elude recapture. His name was Dennis “Shackles” Jefferson. Jefferson was a hardened criminal, a lifelong thief, and hell-bent on gaining his freedom. Fellow prisoners called him “Shackles” due to his proficiency at circumventing prison restraints. After attempting breakouts from a number of lower security prisons in the late 40’s and early 50’s, he was brought to the Minnesota Territorial Prison in the fall of 1853. His infamous escape took place on August 13th, 1856. According to prison records, he picked the locks of his prison irons, overpowered two guards, and disappeared into the woods to the west of the prison. Although unable to prove their theory, detectives noted that Stillwater was plagued by a rash of burglaries, starting shortly after Jefferson’s escape. No arrests were ever made for these crimes, the stolen items were never recovered, and Jefferson was never seen alive again.

Years later, on July 19th, 1936, Eddy Thomas, a 12 year-old Stillwater resident, stumbled across the grisly remains of a human skeleton while exploring the largest of the Long Lake islands. Police were surprised to find the decomposed body wearing what appeared to be the tattered remains of a prison uniform. Historians concluded the clothing was similar to that used in the local prison nearly a century earlier. Detectives working the case surmised the remains were likely those of “Shackles” Jefferson. When asked how Mr. Jefferson could have ended up on the island, Police Chief Kurt Berylson speculated, “The prisoner must have eluded the search parties by swimming to the secluded island. He likely used the island as his hideout until he eventually perished of unknown causes”. Stillwater residents, fascinated by the story, quickly dubbed the location “Shackles’ Island”. Speculation concerning the criminal’s alleged riches have been part of Stillwater lore ever since.

In a 2010 interview with Edward Thomas, the 86-year-old provided additional details concerning the day he found the body of Shackles Jefferson.

I remember the day like it was yesterday. I was a rambunctious young man, full of spit and vinegar. I liked to paddle around Long Lake in my father’s canoe, pretending to be a pirate in search for treasure. I had no intention of stopping that day, but as I passed by the island, I heard a strange sound…like chains rattling. So, I decided to get a closer look. I landed the canoe, then crept as quietly and carefully as I could through the woods and brush, closer and closer to the sound until I came upon a clearing in the trees, and saw something there I’ll never forget. Not six feet away from me I saw a man in a prison uniform, his hands bound in old rusty shackles. He was angrily trying to escape his bonds. I froze. My young mind couldn’t comprehend what it was seeing. That’s when he looked up! The look on his face scared me out of my mind. I turned to run, but tripped and fell. Terrified, I turned back to the man; sure he was going to get me. But, to my surprise, he was gone; and so were the sounds of the rattling chains.

After catching my breath, I looked down at my legs and discovered what I tripped on. It was the rotting remains of a decomposed body, and clasped tightly between its rotted fingers was a worn piece of parchment with markings on it the likes of which I had never seen before. I looked it over for a while, but couldn’t make head nor tails of it. So, I decided to take it home, hoping to study it closer. When I got home I told my parents about the body, but kept the parchment and the details of my strange encounter a secret.

My parents contacted the police, who found the remains just as I’d described. After a few weeks, the police concluded the body was that of Dennis “Shackles” Jefferson. News of the body and the investigation spread like wildfire and caused quite a sensation around town. The buzz was so great that I didn’t dare go back to the island. Better to bide my time and figure out the key to unlocking this mystery. I was sure there had to be treasure out there! I mean… where else would Shackles hide his loot?

And, now, here I am, 70 years later and what do I have to show for it? Nothing, that’s what! I never did figure out what those markings meant . After a few weeks of racking my brain, I gave up on trying to figure out the map and started looking on my own. I scoured Shackels Island from top to bottom, making trips out there every time I had a free couple hours, but never found a thing. I wasted the best years of my life looking for old Shackles’ loot. I just know the secret is on that paper, but now I’m too damn old to do anything about it. The Shackles Island Treasure is out there, I tell ya! But… so is the ghost of old “Shackles” Jefferson.

You can validate your puzzle solution with certitude.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

[You might have a good idea where to look and you might be right. However if you don't solve the mystery of the parchment you will be very sorry when you arrive at GZ. It might be a good idea to bring a copy of it with you just in case!]

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)

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Shackles Island Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

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