This is a very easy puzzle cache about Antoine Plante who is often recognized as "The first citizen of Spokane Valley" In 1852 he built a ferry crossing the Spokane River that was an important landmark and stopping place for settlers and dignitaries.
Born in 1812, Antoine Plante was half French (Canadian) and Gros Ventre Indian. He joined Hudson Bay as a fur trapper in his teenage years. He was married twice, both to Native American women. The times in which he lived in this area were harsh. The 'Related Link' will take you to a page with more depth and detail.
One fun "fact" that links us today to him back then is this: It has been told that in there was $80,000 (in 1863 dollars mind you) of gold stolen from a Walla Walla bank by two robbers. They buried the loot somewhere near or on Plante's compound before they were caught. Both died while prisoners and neither had revealed the location. If you are doing this cache, you are on Plante's compound. So be diligent and look for something extra 'cachey'. It might not be just your ordinary pile of sticks..... (You are expected to share with me, LOL!)
Per historical records it turns out the ferry was very expensive. Here is the price list:
$4.00: Wagon, carriage or vehicle with two animals attached
$3.00: Each pleasure wagon, with two horses
50 cents: Each additional animal
$2.00: Each cart, wagon or carriage with one horse
$1.50: For a man and horse
$1.50: For each animal packed
50 cents: For each footman
25 cents: For loose animals, other than sheep or hogs
15 cents: For sheep, goats or hogs each head
Solve the puzzle - You will do some simple math to reveal the final coordinates. For the final digit of the North coordinates (X) you will need to go to the posted coordinates and observe:
Number of feathers in his hat + number of weapons he is carrying (47 41.92X).
For the West Coordinates you will need to be familiar with the price list stated above. We are solving for W117 14. 4YZ:
Y = 1 Wagon, carriage or vehicle with two animals attached + 1 Each pleasure wagon, with two horses + 1 cart, wagon or carriage with one horse.
Z = 2 animal packed + 2 footmen + 4 loose animals, other than sheep or hogs.
Checksum: X plus Y times Z = 65
2015 is the inaugural year of Spokane Geocache Tour. This Spokane County tour will send geocachers on a trip through Spokane History, finding caches in areas of historical significance. Visit urban and rural gems, historic farming communities, forts, geological marvels, and seek new adventures. The Spokane History Geocache Tour rewards those who complete with a commemorative geocoin featuring the native Spokane Salish language.
- Be sure to read the challenge rules and print your passport at SpokaneGeoTour.com.
- You must record the cache code word on the passport with the code inside each Geocache Tour cache to qualify for a geocoin.
The Spokane History Geocache Tour is sponsored by Spokane County TPA, Cache Advance, and Washington State Geocaching Association (WSGA). We hope you enjoy the tour!
