Alright, enigma fans. Here is another, from today’s Phoenix in 1837. This one is noted as “Original Enigma No. 1,” for what it is worth. Put on your thinking caps and try to solve this if you dare:
“Original Enigma, No. 1
I am a word of eleven letters, — and the title of a periodical in the United States.
My 2, 6, 5, 8, 4, 10, 7 and 1 is the name of a distinguished Indian chief.
My 7, 3, 9, 9, 1 and 4, is a member of Congress.
My 10, 4, 6, 10 and 4, is a vegetable.
My 7, 10, 9, 3, 9, 10 and 1, is a culinary vegetable.
My 2, 8, 11, 6, 3, 4, 4, and 8, is a given name of females.
My 7, 11, 10, 2, 10, 9, 6, 10 and 4 is what everyone desires.
My 2, 8, 6, 4, and 1, is one of the United States.
My 7, 3, 9, 11, 6, 10, 9/8, 6, and 5 is what everyone pretends to be.
My 7, 11, 6, 2, and 1, is what merchants recommend their goods to be; and my whole is — what you wish to know.
A solution is desired.”
NOTE: The line “My 7, 3, 9, 11, 6, 10, 9/8, 6, and 5 is what everyone pretends to be.” wasn’t scanned well, so where you see the 9/8, I could only see the top of that number, so it could be either.
ANOTHER NOTE: The scanned newspaper had some pencil notes of a previous reader trying to solve this.
Aw, no easy cheat on this one
No miracles from me on this one, I’m pretty sure!! Good luck everyone. However, in a plug for Brooks Memorial Library, I will point out that their online references will be satisfying this non-Brattleboro resident’s research needs in the future, including my favorite OED. I can get a nonresident membership for $58 a year, which is about 20% of the cost of the individual membership for the OED. Plus I get all the other resources they have. YAY public Libraries. GO BROOKS!! I encourage others from out of town to investigate this great resource as well. It is a bargain.
And maybe I will play with this enigma. They are fun, but I sure do like shortcuts like I used on the other one. Not the most patient person in the world, here.
Possibly
Third one down might be “ONION”
3rd from last
US state has to be Maine. Idaho not admitted to US until much later. So that will give us 3 vowels in position!
solved
Shall I reveal or let others play?
Think I got it...
E M A N C I P A T O R
If correct, the answers would be:
Micanope
Patten
Onion
Potatoe (!)
Marianna
Promotion
Maine
Patriotic
Prime
Fun!
Winners
Looks pretty good. You and Andie win the title of Enigma Experts.
I’ll keep an eye out for more of these. Of course, some enterprising local puzzle maker in 2015 could also come up with some for us, too. It wouldn’t be that hard to follow this format.