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Forum index » Archive » Archive: General » ARG: Who Is Benjamin Stove

[WIBS][NEW] Dr. Martinez's letters!

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poeticexplosion
Veteran

Joined: 17 Jan 2006
Posts: 109
Location: Chicago

[WIBS][NEW] Dr. Martinez's letters!

Tucker has recieved and scanned the letters. There are several puzzles in them, and most have already been solved. A lot of very interesting back-story as well.

http://forums.whoisbenjaminstove.com/index.php?showforum=7

ETA: Thanks Rowan! You rock. Smile

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Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 8:54 pm
Last edited by poeticexplosion on Tue Jan 31, 2006 12:25 pm; edited 1 time in total

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rowan
Unfictologist

Joined: 12 Apr 2004
Posts: 1966

Just so we have a record over here & don't have to go to the WIBS boards for reference. Transcriptions and puzzle solves stolen from the WIBS boards. Thanks to everyone who provided them.

----

1967-69(?), re: buildings, baths, and forts (Pic1 | Pic2)

Transcription wrote:

Dear Dr. Martinez,

Hello, sir. Thank you very much for the picture card from Peru. That reminded me of what you said at the table that night about how that it was at least interesting that certain types of buildings are like other buildings in other places and they had never come in contact with each other. And you said that people thought it was coincidence, but that you were one of the people that didn't.

Which got me thinking. I can help you out. The Romans had baths. We learned about that stuff in school. Well not yet. I just read ahead in the history book. So the Romans built these baths so the baths you found are probly[sic] related. I think i'd rather be like you and be one of the people that look at it differently.

So, I'm still going to build forts. I don't care if the other kids are more interested in bikes and girls. They can have their sports. I will make my forts. The baths look like forts so I'm going to try to build one that looks like that in the tree line. That is as soon as farming is over. I can't wait for harvest because once the harvest is over, grandma makes grandpa stop giving me chores. She's the best.

I've never got[sic] a post card before, so I'll save this one. Grama got me a big map and I will put a push button into every spot you have an adventure at. I'm getting some model paint and I will make a coding system for them.

Please write me back soon and tell me about your new discovery.

Sincerly[sic],

Your Pen Pal
Benjamin

----

Birthday card (Pic1 | Pic2)

Transcription wrote:

September 1, 1973

Dear Dr. Martinez,

Happy Birthday from Iowa! I hope this finds you on time for your birthday. Don't worry about it, Grandpa assures me that 60 is not old. It's ancient. That is why, good doctor, you relate so well to your subject! On a side note, grandpa doesn't exactly understand where you're going. He actually asked me if you could take some pictures of Avery Island while you're there. You'll be happy to note that I have "woven strong and tight baskets this year" like the Dayohagwenda in your story. Which would mean that I am ready for another year, much more prepared than I was my freshman year. Although that worked out pretty good, yeah?

Your Pen-pal,
Benjamin

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Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:14 am

rowan
Unfictologist

Joined: 12 Apr 2004
Posts: 1966

1976, re: university scholarshi (Pic1 | Pic2)

Transcription wrote:

28, May, '76

Dear Dr. Martinez,

There you are again, watching over me. It is amazing to me how many people you know and how many places you have been. And I can't thank you enough for that opportunity. I have just been offered a scholarship to the U of M. It seems that someone wrote a letter on my behalf. Hmmm, I wonder who that might have been? Some kind of mystery? This was your easiest riddle yet. Well, anyway, I would like to sincerely thank whoever that might have been. If word comes through the grapevine and you hear it, be sure to let me know who it was so I can thank them.

But I will do want to thank you for all the years that you sent me books that I couldn't find in Newton's vast library, so I've made a small puzzle for you. It uses a code I made up inspired by some of those very books. Solving it will take you from the Yucatan Peninsula in 500 A.D. to Washington, D.C. on May 24, 1844. So, can you tell me what the code of numbers along the side of the page says? I'm counting on you to solve it, because it's really not too hard. You can probably figure it out with just one hand.

My grandparents have always been there for me, but you always provided me with the boost to learn more. You'll be happy to note that I will be finishing school as Valedictorian.

Has a catchy ring to it, wouldn't you say? I like the way that rolls off the tongue or looks in print. Benjamin Stove: Valedictorian. Makes me sound like an emperor. Oh wait, I am emperor! King for the Present, anyway.

College is not the thing most kids do on the farm. You know my grandpa's philosophy: "less learnin', more earnin'." Which has a much catchier jingle to Grandpa than "Benjamin Stove: College Graduate." Ahh, but what they don't get is that I'm doing this for the farm. I really fell in love with the idea of the harvest and the crops and the land. In your stories of ancient people, who always ends up being the most important gods? The gods of the harvest and the seasons.

So that is my mission. This is my quest. I will be like Homshuk, traveling off far away to save the harvest. They don't understand what good I could do at that farm. We're alike that way, you and I, my good Doctor. We both look ahead for connections and lead back. Cycles, like the snake holding its tail. The agro-science program at UM is one of the best. When I get out of there, I will modernize that farm and really make it work for us instead of us working for the farm.

Thank you once again. I'm enclosing my strikingly handsome senior picture. It is autographed, too, so in case I'm ever famous, you can sell it to finance more research at "Vagabond University." And don't forget your promise about finally telling me that tale about the Rua Maria Antonia.

Your friend,
Benjamin

2

5,1,5
5,1
5,5,5
1,5,5

2
5

1,5,5
1,5
3

5,1,5,5
5,5,5
2,5

The number solve:

Spoiler (Rollover to View):

May 24, 1844: First transmission of Morse Code
500 AD: Reference to Mayan Culture. Mayan numbers are based on series of dots and dashes:
1: .
2: ..
3: ...
4: ....
5: -

----

2: .. (I)
5, 1, 5: -.- (K)
5, 1: -. (N)
5, 5, 5: --- (O)
1, 5, 5: .-- (W)
2: .. (I)
5: - (T)
1, 5, 5: .-- (W)
1, 5: .- (A)
3: ... (S)
5, 1, 5, 5: -.-- (Y)
5, 5, 5: --- (O)
2, 5: ..- (U)

I know it was you

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Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:29 am

rowan
Unfictologist

Joined: 12 Apr 2004
Posts: 1966

1978, debate team postcard (Picture)

Sent from:
The Linden Air Drive-In
Columbus, OH [no zip code]

It's addressed to Dr. Martinez.

Transcription wrote:

Dear Dr. Martinez,

If you send me a picture of you eating a snake, I'm gonna send a picture of this hotdog. Apparently they were invented here. So if you eat a hotdog, exactly what spirit will come into your body? A true philosopher's question, don't you think? Bad news: "Hot-Head" Stove is probably going to remain the alternate. We won our first debate, so rah-rah. I was always picked last for sports, but sitting on the bench for [mid? mind?] games is almost unbearable. I'm too smart for this. I need to relax and not get so riled-up when I debate. Oh well, at least I got to travel to such exotic destinations. Ironic, eh, that I'm here and you're in Columbia? Well, at least Christopher has been to where you are. Take care of yourself in the jungle, eat the snakes, not the other way around.

--Benjamin

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Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:35 am

rowan
Unfictologist

Joined: 12 Apr 2004
Posts: 1966

1986, re: farm troubles (Pic1 | Pic2)

Transcription wrote:

May 28, 1986

Dear Dr. Martinez,

I've given it some thought and I don't think it is too much of a coincidence. Think about it this way: what is the most practical structure available to build tall on? The answer is a pyramid. The base is wide and stable, and base determines the height capable of the structure. Ancients couldn't build skyscrapers, not out of stone. The pyramid is a practical solution, not a mystical one. Think of it this way: imagine in every ancient village there was a suave, handsome and sophisticated genius like me or you. Surely, that guy would have seen how to fix the problem. I agree with you, it is curious that all these structures are similar, but their form is really the only way to make them tall out of the stone at hand.

Of course, that suave, handsome and sophisticated genius was probably hunted down shortly afterwards by an angry mob born out of ignorance. How do I know that? It would appear, that since my farm had such a good yield this year, that I have "single- and under-handedly" dropped the price of soy and corn in the great state of Iowa. This is what my neighbors are telling me. I also have my neighbors making a complaint about my irrigation ditches. I've had inspectors out here twice to look at the ditches. I got the feeling they were trying to find something to fine me for. I went to the library, and other than where you pull the water from and the sanitation of the water, there isn't type of regulation.

I've got a collection of village idiots doing everything they can to sabotage my farm because they are jealous. Paul Stuyvesant threatened to bring the FAA to write me tickets because he said my solar panels are blinding him when he flys. He's really angry because I don't use his crop dusters. That is his excuse. And don't get me started on what I put on the crops. There is a rumor that I'm using some kind of illegal handmade chemicals on my crops. I'll probably have inspectors out for that. Someone also slashed the tires on the combine. And when I had Earl Rind out to fix it, he didn't come too quickly. Took him 2 days. He wouldn't have done that to anyone else, I know it. My planting schedule is very important. It had to have been done that day. I'll need some luck now. I won't be doing my Maize this year, either. I overheard someone at the hardware store say they wouldn't let their kids come around "Weird Ben's" place. A pity. I had a good one.

Well, enough of burdening you with my problems. Let's have some fun, shall we. Here is the puzzle I made for you. See if you can answer the questions at the end.

Five farmers in Newton have farms that each year grow five different crops. The farmers are named Mr. Albert, Mr. Everett, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Tompkins, and the crops they grow each year are alfalfa, eggplant, lettuce, sugarcane, and tomatoes. This year, each farmer is growing a crop that begins with a letter different from the letter that begins his last name. Likewise, last year, each farmer also grew a crop that did not match his name.

1. What crop is Lewis growing?
2. What crop is Tompkins growing?
3. Who is growing tomatoes?
4. Who grew lettuce last year?
5. Who is growing eggplant?
6. What is Everett growing?
7. What did Albert grow last year?

And, most importantly, where am I going soon?

Take care of yourself, you old vagabond. I promise happier tidings when I write again.

Your friend,

Benjamin

The logic puzzle solution:

Spoiler (Rollover to View):

Albert: Yr 1 Eggplant, Yr 2: Tomatoes
Everett: Yr 1: Sugarcane, Yr 2: Lettuce
Lewis: Yr 1: Alfalfa, Yr 2: Sugarcane
Smith: Yr 1: Tomatoes, Yr 2: Alfalfa
Tompkins: Yr 1: Lettuce, Yr 2: Eggplant

Answering questions 1-7:
1. Sugarcane
2. Eggplant
3. Albert
4. Tompkins
5. Tompkins
6. Lettuce
7. Eggplant

First letters spell: Seattle

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Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:48 am

rowan
Unfictologist

Joined: 12 Apr 2004
Posts: 1966

1986, "Betty is sick" (Picture)

Transcription wrote:

.....
-----
-----
----.

August 22, 1986

Dear Dr. Martinez,

I had promised better news, but I'm afraid I don't have it. Betty is sick. The worse[sic] part is that she's probably had it for a while. But that is how cancer is, you know. You never see a jaguar until it is too late. It may not be. No one is sure right now.

I'll thank for the fine tobacco, though. It is good that my last smoke was made like this. Your garden, as usual, brings blessings from "he who sprouts from the knees." It is a good yield, but I'm afraid I'll be quitting after this. In fact, I'll have my last smoke after I send this. I'm putting the last pinch in the old Stove pipe and putting it on the shelf. Someday, I may need his blessing again. But I can't very well keep smoking now that Betty has become sick. It would be rude, I believe.

I will relax a little. My farm problems are one thing, but my family is another. It gives me focus to have no choice in the matter. Betty comes first. It has to be that way until we can make her better. I'll keep you updated on the progress.

Your friend,

Benjamin

1,5,1
5,5,5
5,5,5
3
1
3,5
1
1,5,2
5

1,5,5
1,5
5,1,5,5

5,1
1
3
1,5,5,1
1,5,2

Puzzle solution:

Spoiler (Rollover to View):

..... (5)
----- (0)
----- (0)
----. (9)

1,5,1: .-. (R)
5,5,5: --- (O)
5,5,5: --- (O)
3: ... (S)
1: . (E)
3,5: ...- (V)
1: . (E)
1,5,2: .-.. (L)
5: - (T)
1,5,5: .-- (W)
1,5: .- (A)
5,1,5,5: -.-- (Y)
5,1: -. (N)
1: . (E)
3: ... (S)
1,5,5,1: .--. (P)
1,5,2: .-.. (L)

5009 Roosevelt Way NE SPL

A search on 5009 Roosevelt gives us this address:
University District Public Library
5009 Roosevelt Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105

It's the Seattle Public Library (SPL).

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Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 12:03 pm

rowan
Unfictologist

Joined: 12 Apr 2004
Posts: 1966

1988, "I'm coming down there" (Picture)

Transcription wrote:

November 21, 1988

Dear Dr. Martinez,

You're too late, Doctor. I'm coming down there already. I've got my ticket and there is
nothing left for me here anymore. I've been stubborn my whole life about this and you
were right. It echoes in my head when I re-read the letter. "The farm is the right place for
your heart, but not your mind."

I don't feel like I have a heart right now. I have nothing to fill it with. My only solace is
the fact that neither my grandparents nor my sister lived to see how badly the farm ended.
It ends with lawyers, papers, smashed hopes and sorrow. Kings, pharoahs, emperors - all
the ancients you've studied over the years, the only constant is that we study antiques and
ruins. That is all the farm is now. Ruins.

So maybe, all those years ago, I should have run off with you. Not worried about pleasing
those I left behind. That's why I'm coming down there. I'm finishing your work, my old
vagabond. Somebody is going to have to finish what you started. I ask this one favor: let
me do you a favor. Who knows your work better than I do? Besides, you can't keep
sending people away. You'll need care with Anita gone. I'm not letting you die just yet.

I'm coming. I'll see you in two weeks.

Your friend,

Benjamin

1,12,66
16,17,37,42,65
63
4,6
63
6,34,41,49,51,57
32,40,45
1,2,3,6,24,40,68,69,70,71
6
13,40,63
8,40,55,57
26,29,34,35,38,47,54,58,61
21,31,38
33,38
11,13

Puzzle solution:

Spoiler (Rollover to View):

There are 15 lines in the letter and 15 sets of numbers. Count letters in each line according to the corresponding number line.

1, 12, 66 Yes (line 1, take the 1st, 12th, and 66th letters in the line)
16, 17, 37, 42, 65 found (line 2, take letters #16, 17, 37, 42, 65 in the line)
63 p (letter #63 in line 3)
4, 6 re (line 4, letters 4 and 6)
63 s (line 5, letter 63)

Yes found prescotts booK the conquesT of peru when i was in seattle

Yes. Found Prescott's book, The Conquest of Peru, when I was in Seattle.

This led us on a field trip to the Seattle Public Library.

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Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 12:27 pm

rowan
Unfictologist

Joined: 12 Apr 2004
Posts: 1966

As stated in the solution to the last puzzle, we were directed to the Seattle Public Library to find a book, The Conquest of Peru. krispy went off in search, and came back with the book and a note stuck inside. (Picture)

Transcription wrote:

coincidences + patterns + s...l..t..y [similarity?] = connections?

H Brigham 1911, only two years before Another coincidence?

Incan warrior = European Knights = Samurai = ?

In their own "codes" Qu..pus [Quipas? Qupas?]

Chabamba [Urubamba?] (right below)

[to the right: CROP CIRCLY DIAGRAM]

13:07:20 72:31:12
8:06:15 34:54:26
21:11:07 47:48:01

what's the connection???
why?
41:41:59 93:02:54

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Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 1:17 pm

goldy
Greenhorn

Joined: 22 Jan 2006
Posts: 5

well, I don't know if someone has said it already:

Spoiler (Rollover to View):

the 4 sets of numbers could be latitude and longitude readings.
the first is near Machu Pichu in Peru, the second is Recife, on the east coast of Brazil, the third is Ribiero Preto, and the fourth is Newton Iowa.

I haven't checked in for a coupe of days, and now I have a lot of catching up to do!

oops, my bad. it was posted in the WIBS forums 2 DAYS ago! sorry folks

Post

Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 6:37 pm

Cross_
Decorated

Joined: 15 Jan 2006
Posts: 283
Location: San Diego

Yes, the Lat/Lon data is known. What we are struggling with is the little diagram with its tick marks, as well as the knight references in the note.

Urubamba is a few miles southeast of Machu Picchu.

Post

Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 8:12 pm

Slyfox
Unfettered

Joined: 06 Feb 2004
Posts: 323
Location: Manchester, UK

[Spec] We are being manipulated by Anita

Question. Who wrote the three pencil number codes on the three letters?

They all appear to be in the same hand writing and done with the same pencil which would imply (to me at least) that they were all written at the same time. This would therefore rule Ben out as the person who did it, unless he kept the same pencil for a long time. The only two other people, that we know about, who had access to all the letters are Dr Martinez and Anita. Dr Martinez died in 1990 which would imply that the note has lain in the book undisturbed for 6 years; also for whose benefit did he write the codes and why hide the note?

Speculation. Anita is the person who wrote the codes on the three letters and we are being used by her for her own as yet unknown purposes.

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Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 4:39 am

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camdman
Boot

Joined: 29 Sep 2005
Posts: 27
Location: Australia

I have some speculation for everyone:

In Ben's final letter, he said he was going to meet Dr Martinez. I think there's a chance that Ben wrote the codes, but he did it sometime after he went to meet Martinez. We believe that the note was left by Ben (he mentioned in his letters he was going to Seattle), so it makes sense that he wrote the codes that lead us to where in Seattle he left his clue. Doesn't it? So, while he was with Dr Martinez (I'm assuming he actually went and saw Dr Martinez), he may have been exposed to his old letters, giving him a chance to leave the clues.

I dunno, just a thought...

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Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 5:44 am

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Slyfox
Unfettered

Joined: 06 Feb 2004
Posts: 323
Location: Manchester, UK

camdman wrote:

So, while he was with Dr Martinez (I'm assuming he actually went and saw Dr Martinez), he may have been exposed to his old letters, giving him a chance to leave the clues.

I dunno, just a thought...

But if Ben did write the codes and Dr M died in 1990 the note in the library must be at least 5 and a bit years old. Also, it would mean that between Ben and Dr M's meeting, and the codes being added to the letters, Dr M must have never looked at the letters otherwise he would have found the note himself. If he couldn't decypher the code he could have called / written to Ben and asked him why he'd written all over his old letters.

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Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 8:10 am

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camdman
Boot

Joined: 29 Sep 2005
Posts: 27
Location: Australia

Slyfox wrote:

camdman wrote:

So, while he was with Dr Martinez (I'm assuming he actually went and saw Dr Martinez), he may have been exposed to his old letters, giving him a chance to leave the clues.

I dunno, just a thought...

But if Ben did write the codes and Dr M died in 1990 the note in the library must be at least 5 and a bit years old. Also, it would mean that between Ben and Dr M's meeting, and the codes being added to the letters, Dr M must have never looked at the letters otherwise he would have found the note himself. If he couldn't decypher the code he could have called / written to Ben and asked him why he'd written all over his old letters.

I am just wildly speculating, and I'm sorry if my speculation doesn't make any real sense, and is wasting everybody's time.

Maybe the codes were written to Dr M, and Ben expected that he would read them and find his codes (it seems they were meant to be read by somebody). Also, I don't think we have any evidence to suggest that Dr M could call/write to Ben after he left after his visit. Ben seems to have started a new life (well, disapeared anyway). Ben may have decided to cut all ties with his past life, including Dr Martinez. As a final 'parting gift', leaving him the clues to find his note ('research' I guess) in the book in Seattle. We don't even really know if Ben is still alive, making him even harder to contact (unless Dr M had a Ouiga Board)

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Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 12:34 pm

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