Crossroads Mystery Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Cache is not at the posted coordinates, but you need to start there!
This is not a solve at home puzzle!
Background
Robert Johnson was one of the originators of the blues. He was born in Mississippi in 1911. His landmark recordings in 1936 and 1937 display a combination of singing, guitar skills, and songwriting talent that has influenced later generations of musicians. Johnson's shadowy, poorly documented life and death at age 27 have given rise to much legend, including the Faustian myth that he sold his soul at a crossroads to achieve success. As an itinerant performer who played mostly on street corners, in juke joints, and at Saturday night dances, Johnson had little commercial success or public recognition in his lifetime.
Around 1929, the noted blues musician Son House moved to Robinsonville where his musical partner, Willie Brown, lived. Late in life, House remembered Johnson as a 'little boy' who was a competent harmonica player but an embarrassingly bad guitarist. Soon after, Johnson left Robinsonville for parts unknown. During this time, he perfected the blues guitar style. He was rumored to have learned supernaturally to play guitar by visiting graveyards at midnight. When Johnson next appeared in Robinsonville, he had seemed to have acquired a miraculous guitar technique. House was interviewed at a time when the legend of Johnson's pact with the Devil was well known among blues researchers. He was asked whether he attributed Johnson's technique to this pact, and his equivocal answers have been taken as confirmation.
According to legend, as a young man living on a plantation in rural Mississippi, Robert Johnson was branded with a burning desire to become a great blues musician. He was "instructed" to take his guitar to a crossroad at midnight. There he was met by a large Black man (the Devil) who took the guitar and tuned it. The "Devil" played a few songs and then returned the guitar to Johnson, giving him mastery of the instrument. This was in effect, a deal with the Devil mirroring the legend of Faust. In exchange for his soul, Robert Johnson was able to create the blues for which he became famous.
The exact location of the crossroads where Johnson made his deal is in dispute. Some say it was Dockery, MS, others say it was Clarksdale, MS. Blues historians write that it may be impossible to tell which crossroads is the one in the myth, because "Robert Johnson was a rambling guy."
Legend
It is known that Johnson disappeared for several months in 1930 and when he returned he was a guitar master. New evidence has come to light that Johnson traveled to the Chicago area during that time. While in the city, he was instructed to head northwest to a farming community known as Buffalo Grove to meet the man he was searching for.
While in Buffalo Grove, he first met with a 69 year old woman from the north part of town. She lived in a rowhouse at 4 Center Street. Her husband John spoke very highly of her patience. She spoke privately to Johnson. It is unknown what she said to him, but he thanked her and hurriedly left. Sadly, she died 5 years later.
Johnson next stopped up the street in another rowhouse at 17 Center Street. He was there to see a 35 year old man originally from out West. The man's wife, Mary Theresa, greeted Johnson at the door when he arrived. Johnson and the man spoke in hushed tones for a few minutes, and then Johnson left with a determined look on his face. He knew where he needed to go. Whatever led to Johnson's early death did not affect the man he met with. He lived to the ripe old age of 97.
Your search
Step 1: You will need to learn the full names of the woman and the man that Robert Johnson met with. Rumor has it, they are laid to rest near the posted coordinates. Follow in Robert's footsteps to find their identities. Please be respectful and only search during daylight hours.
Step 2: Once you learn their identities, you will need to go visit them both to learn where Robert Johnson learned his skills all those years ago. You need to visit two locations, not just one. These locations are not in the cemetery. There is nothing hidden in the cemetery. Don't get distracted and Stop along the way.
Step 3: After talking to the man and woman you will know where Robert Johnson had his fateful meeting. Go there. You might see some evidence of the man who taught Robert many years ago. Sign your name... if you dare.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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