Hunt begins on September 3, 2026
The medallion:
The time has come to start the race
The quarry you seek is in this place
Romantics speak of a lover's turmoil
Others claim it grew in the soil
*The Mayhem Medallion Hunt has begun
*The Native American word for the land along the La Crosse river near West Salem was “Neshonoc”. Meaning “This place” or “This area”.
* Native Lore: Mocama and Nedoma were young and in love. Mocama’s father, the Chief of their tribe who lived in this area, disapproved of Nedoma. Stating that she would never be his daughter. One night she was found dead. The cause of her death is not known. Perhaps suicide, perhaps murder. In his grief Macoma is said to have exclaimed “Neshonoc”! The surrounding bluffs are said to silhouette the form of Nedoma.
* In the early days, a town meeting was to be held to decide on the name of the town. Monroe Palmer and another man were sitting near his garden discussing which name they should propose.The other man jokingly suggested naming it Nesannock after the variety of potato Palmer was growing.They both laughed and agreed. Palmer made the motion.The other man seconded.It was carried, and that was that.
*Nesannock was a popular type of potato in the 1800’s. It fell out of favor and is now considered to be extinct.
This clue should lead you to the area of the former village of Neshonoc. Perhaps also Lake Neshonoc. The Medallion was hidden in Swarthout Park which is located on the banks of Lake Neshonoc.
"A rose by any other name
would smell as sweet"
Once each other
here they meet
*Probably the second most famous line from William Shakespear’s Romeo and Juliet. Basically meaning “What’s in a name”?
*In 2016 The Wisconsin State DOT and La Crosse County Highway Department agreed to switch the names and maintenance responsibilities of State Highway 108 and County Highway C. Regardless of their current names, the two highways have always met in the area where the Village of Neshonoc once stood. You could also infer from the first line that rose could mean the village of Melrose as 108 (previously C) leads there.
This clue reinforces that the Medallion is somewhere near the previous village of Neshonoc and narrows the search area.
A century of service still current today
Follow the direction, it will show you the way
*Not far from the 108 intersection with County C is the intersection with Old Hwy 16. There you will find a bridge with a brass plaque stating it was built 100 years (century) ago in 1926. The bridge is still in service today.
*The bridge spans Neshonoc Creek. The creek flows towards the La Crosse river. If you follow the current or direction of flow from that location it will take you further down the road.
This clue tells you that the medallion is located somewhere South of the Old Hwy 16 bridge.
All-American sisters
The Produce of Dam
A Pabst connection
You may heard of this clan
*The Swarthout sisters lived in the house next to the dam on the La Crosse river that created Lake Neshonoc. In addition they owned a large amount of land bordering the lake. For over 20 years they raised Holstein cows on this land. Collectively known as “The Neshonoc Herd”. (heard-herd of this clan. I purposely omitted the word have to place emphasis on heard). The most famous of these were Neshonoc Joan Cyclone and her sister Neshonoc Joan Count. In 1953 these bovine sisters won the prestigious title All-American Produce of Dam. This award recognizes superior genetic traits of the mother or Dam passed to her offspring. The father is known as Sire.
* Every registered holstein cow on the planet is related to a single bull from The Pabst Farm in Oconomowoc. His name was Johanna Rag Apple Pabst.
If you were now following Neshonoc Creek’s current, it will make a right turn and pass under 108 before entering the La Crosse River. This clue should direct your attention to the left and further down the road. To the house by the dam where the Swarthout Sisters lived and the Neshonoc Herd grazed. Perhaps even accidentally to the dam itself.
Daughter followed father
To this caring position
Their legacy continues
From philanthropic ambition
*Dr. Ezekiel Chester Swarthout bought the former McMillan Grist Mill. He had it turned into a hydroelectric plant. Over the years as his wealth grew, he acquired large parcels of land surrounding the home near the dam.
*He had two daughters, Edyth and Susan. Edyth also became a doctor, and they practiced rural medicine together for many years. I could not find any information on whether the sisters always lived in the house with him or moved in after his death. Regardless, the two Swarthout sisters resided there for many years. It was they that took to raising Holsteins on the large property. Susan died. Shortly afterwards, Edyth was in an accident that left her unable to walk. She then made the difficult decision to sell the herd. Her land philanthropy is the basis of the next clue.
Further emphasis on the Swarthout name. Plus a suggestion that something or some things may still carry their name.
Troop 77 took the lead
A swimmingly good idea
The doctor agreed
Perhaps that was the inspiration
For what became of this location
*In 1954 a father and his young daughter drowned in Lake Neshonoc. Boy Scout Troop 77 decided to do what they could to prevent any future tragedies. They cleared brush, established a beach area, and volunteered as life guards.
*Dr. Edyth supported their efforts. She donated some of her land to the project. That allowed the Scouts to expand the beach area, put up signage, build changing huts, and construct a small parking lot.
*Later Dr. Edyth donated all of the land that is now Swarthout Park.
This clue should lead you to Swarthout Beach. Then to Swarthout Park in general.
A rustic road
One fifth a measure
Will take you over
The Mayhem treasure
*Rustic Road R31 travels through Neshonoc Park for .2 miles. (Or one-fifth of a mile).
*The Medallion was in a culvert that runs under the road.
This clue directs your attention to the road that runs through the park, or more specifically below it.
september 9, 2023
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