We're at the final Green Box of 2022, it's finally here! The box finder will receive a $9,000 Christopher Designs pair of 14K white gold and diamond icicle star drop earrings. They contain 1.81cttw of natural diamonds and they are absolutely stunning. Christopher Designs is based out of New York and invented a revolutionary method of cutting diamonds. His cutting method has more facets creating a larger and more brilliant looking diamond. Our Christopher pieces are only in-store, so you'll have to come in to see them. We will release a clue every day until the box is found, but if you stop by the store and take a look at a piece of Christopher Designs, you’ll get a clue a day in advance. Best of luck to everyone!
Green Box Status :: Has been found
There’s an old tale of mule named Tom from Aiken county, who may have been one of the fastest sprinting mules ever known. Throughout history of the mule is known for their working ability and even their stamina over long distances (Like when the mule Lord Fauntleroy won the Great American horse race, which about 3500 miles in 1976). Most mules are not known for their speed, typically a horse is double the speed of a mule. In the early 1900’s there were two annual mule races held Aiken county, a local mule named Tom won every single one the races for a span of 9 years. It’s not that he was beaten in year 9, but Tom was put up against 5 of the top-ranking thoroughbred horses in Aiken. Tom beat 4 out of 5 of them and was nose to nose with the winning horse. He was disqualified from racing in future events, because he was just too fast. About 20 years later when Tom was at the age of 32, he was brought out of racing retirement in 1935 Centennial Celebration of Aiken to win two more races for a standing ovation from crowd that was beyond belief. He then fully retired to the pastures of the Old Wise farm. This tale is found in the book "Heroes, Horses and High Society: Aiken from 1540" by Kay Lawrence.
#1 Clue, Friday Dec. 16th :: There was once a banker whose adoration turned adversarial.
The champion mule for many years was an ordinary, long-eared critter named Tom. He won every race from 1906 until 1915 - when he was disqualified for being too fast. Hope Iselin, daughter of C. Oliver Iselin, New York sportsman and international banker, always rode Tom. In 1915, Mr. Iselin forgot to ask for the mule for his daughter until the last minute. By that time the Wise family had agreed to let one of the other northern girls ride him. "Mr. Iselin was mighty upset," recalls Lewis Wise. "He sent man down to Georgia with instructions to spare no expense, and to bring back a mule that could lick Tom." They found a mule-a good looking long-legged animal. Hope Iselin rode him in the first race, but halfway down the stretch that mule turned tail and headed for the stable. Tom won the race. "Mr. Iselin didn't give up- he brought his mule back for the second race. He had hired a regular jockey, and had decked him out in the Iselin racing silks. The jockey mounted that mule like he was set to go some place. They started out fast, but as they rounded the bend the jockey started whipping the mule, and finally broke his whip. That Georgia mule decided that he had had enough. He bucked and kicked all the way to the finish line, and the jockey had all he could do to hang on. Tom won the race.
#2 Clue, Saturday Dec. 17th :: It’s likely that on the way, you’ll see a structure covered with stone.
There’s odd building that visible on the walk-in to the Henderson Preserve, it’s a small structure from AT&T and it’s covered with small stones. Henderson Preserve is north of the old Wise farm.
#3 Clue, Sunday Dec. 18th :: Four out of five humbled by the underdog.
Generally, horses are the faster sprinter of the two animals, several sources online put the mule top speed at about 15mph and horse being closer to 30mph. Regarding this tale, for years people had been urging the Wise family to run him against race horses. A special race was set up in which Tom (the Mule) ran against five of the top-ranking thoroughbreds being trained in Aiken. For most of the race Tom ran neck and neck with the leading horse. The crowd went wild, for it looked as if the mule would win. But just at the finish line he was nosed out-and came in second. Even so, it was a great day in the life of a mule.
#4 Clue, Monday Dec. 19th :: This box is north of a champion’s farm.
The James l. Wise property was a “tract of land containing two Hundred 200 acres more or less about 3 Miles Northwest of the City of Aiken in Aiken county state of South Carolina on the Vaucluse Road and bounded As follows North by Aiken Heights lands” - Aiken Standard and Review (Newspaper) - June 9, 1936. The Green Box was located in the Henderson Heritage Preserve, north of the Old Wise Farm.
#5 Clue, Tuesday Dec. 20th :: A coin serves as a memory of that which was once Olympian and depicting that which was also Tom.
The apene mule-cart race was introduced at the 70th Olympia of 500 BCE. Mule racing was discontinued at the 84th Olympia (444 BCE). Here is a Tetradrachm minted after 476 BCE at Messene (MEΣΣANA). A mule-cart driven by a seated charioteer is being crowned by Nike, who places the crown on the mules. On the obverse and over a spray of olives a running hare is depicted, probably to indicate the speed of the mules. Most importantly, this clue introduces "Tom" to the story.
#6 Clue, Wednesday Dec. 21st :: The box is not hidden by foliage, but rests within a large opening.
This is a direct location of the Green Box, the Green Box was hidden behind a large mound in the opening in the udorthent area in the back of the preserve.
#7 Clue, Thursday Dec. 22nd :: During the centennial celebration, Tom came out of retirement at the age of 32 and won again.
In 1935 Aiken held a special Centennial celebration. Everybody in town and all of the winter visitors turned out in costumes of the early 1800's for the occasion. Featured in the celebration were two mule races, the first that had been held for many years. Tom, then 32 years old, came back to defend his laurels. Riding him was a young boy from the Wise farm, named McDuffy. The first race was a regular flat race. Nobody really expected Tom to win, but he took the lead and kept it all the way. McDuffy was beside himself. The second race was a "pen race", and McDuffy and Tom were entered again. In this race the mules were herded into a pen, un-saddled. The rider had to run into the pen, saddle his mule and race him to the finish line. Only Tom's ears were visible over the backs of the other mules as he stood in the pen. McDuffy braced himself on the sidelines. When the gun went off, the boy dived for the pen. While the mad scramble was still on, he and Tom pushed their way out of the mob, and that gallant old mule laid back his ears, stretched out his legs, and sailed down the tracks to victory. Never had there been such an ovation. It was the final triumph for Tom. He was retired to the Wise pastures for a well-earned rest. He died at the age of 34.
#8 Clue, Friday Dec. 23rd :: A hybrid too fast to compete against his own kind, but faster than some of the other kind.
In the early 1900's, a mule race was held every spring in Aiken County. It was always a big occasion. Shops were closed for the day, farmers came from miles around, and even members of the Aiken winter colony turned out to cheer their favorites. Tom won every race from 1906 until 1915. As we can read in clue #3, he was taken to race against 5 of Aiken’s top-ranking thoroughbreds and beat 4 out of 5 of them. He was disqualified for being too fast in mule racing, and we can imagine that no one wanted even the chance of their race horse to be beaten by a mule. Tom retired from racing to the Wise farm at the age of 12.
#9 Clue, Saturday Dec. 24th :: In a locally authored book published in the early 1970's, this tale is on page 131.
Published in 1971 by Kay Lawerence, The book Heroes, Horses & High Society: Aiken from 1540 dedicates several pages to the tale of Tom the Mule.
#10 Clue, Sunday Dec. 25th :: Directly below a hole in one layer to reveal another.
The location of this box was behind inside of big opening in the udorthent area in the back of the preserve.
#At Gerald Jones Auto Group) Bonus Clue :: Nine years of success, but could have surely been more.
This clue was in reference to year that Tom won prior to being disqualified.
From now to the end of this season you'll be able to visit any dealership of the Gerald Jones Auto Group starting on Friday at 10am for a bonus clue for each Green Box (that's one clue for the whole week). This clue will not be emailed, texted, on social or on our websites. In turn, the Auto Group will draw one a winner from this season to receive a new car! Learn about the details on the car here.
Also, if you want to learn more about the game or haven't signed up for the daily clue to be sent you, you may do so here. Also the Green Box will be not just hidden, but well disguised. Also, there is Facebook group for hunters that can be found here. Please, note that only the first clue of the week will be posted on our social media. Visit Windsor Fine Jewelers today at 2635 Washington Rd, Augusta, GA 30904 or call us at (706) 738-7777