Knotty Pine GAZETTE - Blackfoot Gift Mystery

Gift Opening Reveals A Mystery

A group of Blackfeet Indians led by Alan Beaver arrived late this morning at Ranger Headquarters to present ranger Gray Wolf with a gift as a small token of Mr. Beaver's thanks for missionary work Gray Wolf and his church are doing among Indians. Members of Gray Wolf's Dakota tribe, Chief Ranger Bill Jefferson, and Colonel Anders, head of the western ranger district, were on hand for the presentation.
Mr. Beaver explained to everyone at Ranger Headquarters, "This clay jar has been in my family for many generations. My family tells me that this jar has probably survived more than 200 summers. Family legend says that this pot is a memorial for two braves who were killed while stealing horses from a group of white men. The legend goes on to say that some things found on the stolen horses were placed in the pot. A lid was placed on the pot and sealed. The jar has not been opened in 200 years and its full history has been forgotten.
"This lovely family relic is now yours, Gray Wolf. Please accept this with my thanks, and please honor me and my family by opening the jar at this time.
Gray Wolf responded, "I am very honored by your gift. I am not worthy of such a valuable family heirloom. It is a beautiful antique. Thank you."
Everyone in the room was excited to see if there was anything inside the jar. We were curious about the legend. Was it true? Who were the white men? Spanish conquistadors, French hunters and trappers, English soldiers?
Gray Wolf slowly and carefully opened the lid on the jar. He reached in and pulled out a possibly silver medal and a small tin box. Ranger Bill encouraged him to open the tin box as well. The box opened with a rusty squeak. Inside was a leather book, a journal possibly of some explorer. There was also a loose piece of paper with a grid of letters and numbers on it. At the top of the paper were the words "Jefferson Code" Ranger McGuire noticed a date "1801" on the medal.
Gray Wolf offered to return these items to Mr. Beaver. Mr. Beaver declined the offer. Alan responded, "The family legend appears to be true. This is the rightful property of the robbed white men or the US people. Gray Wolf, please find the rightful owners of these items and return them."
Gray Wolf agreed. Ranger Bill Jefferson and his staff have pledged to assist Gray Wolf in uncovering this mystery. Stay tuned for more from Ranger Headquarters.