Find BadBird's Treasure

Although Hurricane/TS Fay delayed activities, a crew began removing the carpeting in 318 Delannoy Ave. Several patches in the foundation where evident so the area was searched using a metal detector. Multiple "Coin" hits registered and a small excavation identified the source as abandoned copper piping under the floor.

Another group of researchers determined that in 1911 the City of Cocoa only allowed one saloon in town at a time. A study of Historical Society records finally unearthed a reference to a tavern called "The WildCat Saloon". The establishment was located at 311 Delannoy Ave. and alleged to have featured a "Wild Cat" chained up in front of the tavern.

When "Fay" had cleared the area, metal detector teams began searching the area. Items found included lug-nuts, abandoned water meters, and a modern day meat thermometer.

After hours of painstaking search, a coin indication led to the discovery of a buried sealed flask.

Inside the flask was an 1899 Silver Dime, another deposit slip, and a cash register slip from S.F. Travis Co. dated 11 December 1911. The following transcription was written on the papers:

TRANSCRIPTION from WILDCAT SALOON FIND

TRANSCRIPTION of Deposit Slip 6

In the Wildcat Saloon we went drinking,
stayed up all night and got right stinking.
At the water’s edge by the dawn’s early light,
We three sat bitching about our plight.

As the Sun chased away the morning cold
we turned to look at the bank full of gold.
Bell started smiling, "I know what to do, Let’s make a compartment in your false-foot-shoe."
 

And as I have stated the scheme worked well, But greed has a way to send you to hell.
I think I’ve said enough just for now,So like an Arab I’ll take a bow.

BadBird

7. Written on a deposit receipt from S.F. Travis Co.

P.S. I know you are greedy so accept your fate.
March at dawn towards hell, there’s a Bell at the gate.

END OF TRANSCRIPTION

We surmise that "BadBird" the bank Teller would slip currency and coins into a compartment that Mr. Bell had made in his prosthesis shoe and hide the matching deposit slips in the false drawer bottom.

We admit that we are stumped by this message. If you have any idea as to what the message means, please contact me via email at kak@dol.net

The Society will meet again at 6:00 PM, on Friday the 22nd of August, at BadBirds gallery, to discuss progress in the search for BadBirds Treasure.

As always, the public is invited to attend.

For more information visit BadBirdsGallery.com and click on the "Find BadBird’s Treasure link.