19th Century American Authors - Ambrose Bierce Mystery Cache
mudder91: This section of the park has been redone, including replacement of a section of the bridge where this was hidden. The cache is no longer there, and there is no longer a good place to put a replacement. Sad to see this old one go, but after 16 years, it's time to let this one go....
19th Century American Authors - Ambrose Bierce
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Coordinates listed above are not the actual coordinates, but the starting location for the events below:
One evening many years ago, I was having a drink at a reputedly haunted local tavern while reading from an Anthology of Ambrose Bierce that I had recently received.
As I reached the short story "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge," an elderly gentleman sat down next to me and said: "'Owl Creek' was always my favorite. All the foreshadowing is there: for those who dispassionately add, without prejudice, each new piece of information to the pool of what is already known, the conclusion becomes obvious; but for those who selectively choose which pieces information to retain, disappointment is inevitable."
We then discussed some of Bierce's works and life, including his short stories on the occult and the Civil War, his long tenure as an attack dog against the railroad barons for Hearst's San Francisco Examiner, and his mysterious disappearance. Although I thought I knew quite a bit about Bierce, the elder gentleman was clearly much more knowledgeable.
After a few rounds, he said (though I'm not sure I heard him clearly) "It has long been assumed that Ambrose Bierce fled into Mexico, and was never heard from again. However, some believe he actually traveled North to Oregon and hid his small fortune at the base of an 'Owl Creek' Bridge just a bit South of here. In fact I have a code to the coordinates here." At this point, he slid a napkin to me, printed with the coordinates below.
N 41 89.941; W 110 38.274
I looked at him dubiously and said: "'Owl Creek' Bridge!? In Oregon? These coordinates are likely in Wyoming, and 89 minutes North - that makes no sense! What are you trying to pull?"
His smile evaporated, and he scolded: "This has been a waste of my time. You have selectively chosen which information you wish to retain, and you will suffer certain disappointment!"
I looked down to my drink, and back up to his face, but he was gone. All that remained was the napkin with the coordinates.
I have spent significant time over the past few years scouring the many "Owl Creeks" in Oregon (coordinates below), and have been unable to find the fortune. Perhaps your luck will be better.
Feature Name County Latitude Longitude Quadrangle Name
Owl Creek Crook 44.15 -120.68417 Eagle Rock
Owl Creek Linn 44.33389 -122.36194 Tidbits Mountain
Owl Creek Linn 44.57333 -123.21722 Riverside
Owl Creek Lane 44.16111 -122.15944 McKenzie Bridge
Owl Creek Linn 44.26389 -122.87556 Union Point
Owl Creek Josephine 42.39306 -123.30833 Grants Pass
Owl Creek Columbia 46.08611 -122.91944 Rainier
Owl Creek Lane 44.2625 -123.38889 Glenbrook
Owl Creek Wheeler 44.35528 -119.70056 Wolf Mountain
Owl Creek Wallowa 45.25167 -117.00556 Kinney Lake
Cache is an ammo can. At times this area can be quite busy, so please be wary of others.
Cache contains a copy of The Devil's Dictionary (by Ambrose Bierce) for the first finder and an assortment of other items.
Though it may not help you to find the cache, a reading (or perhaps two) of "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" is encouraged. The "Twilight Zone" episode based on the story also counts.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
[Hint 1 Puzzle:] Bayl gur pbbeqvangrf ba gur ancxva znggre.
[Hint 2 Cache:] Orfg cnexvat vf ng gur raq bs n fgerrg gung fbhaqf yvxr 'Bjy Perrx'