Lucinda Landon is a children’s book illustrator, the founder of Secret Passage Press, and the author of American History Mysteries and the Meg Mackintosh Mystery series. She lives in Foster, Rhode Island.

Meg Mackintosh Solves Seven American History Mysteries

A Solve-It-Yourself Mystery

By Landon Lucinda

Secret Passage Press

Copyright © 1999 Lucinda Landon
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-888695-12-0

Contents

Title Page,
Books by Lucinda Landon:,
Copyright Page,
Dedication,
Getting Started,
History Mystery #1 – Peril at Plimoth,
History Mystery #2 – The Minuteman’s Secret,
History Mystery #3 – Witness at Washington,
History Mystery #4 – The Camouflage Clue in Ohio,
History Mystery 5 – The Warning at Scottsbluff,
History Mystery 6 – The Puzzle at Pecos,
History Mystery 7 – The San Francisco Riddle,
Extension Activities,
About the Author,

CHAPTER 1

Getting Started

“Listen to this, Meg and Peter,” their grandfather read from the newspaper. “On this day in history, June 16th, the following historic events occurred.”

1673 Governor’s Island, off Manhattan, bought for 2 axes, some beads and nails.

1755 George Washington became the General of the American Army.

1845 Texas Congress agreed to annexation by the USA.

1858 Abraham Lincoln accepted the presidential nomination.

1897 Alaskan gold rush began.

“What?” Peter looked up and lifted his headphones from his ears.

“Sorry, Gramps, I was listening to something else.”

Gramps sighed, “I was reading about history.”

“Oh, you mean ancient times, before television,” Peter replied.

“Even before that,” Meg rolled her eyes.

“I know what history is,” Peter defended himself. “It’s memorizing dates and explorers and stuff.”

“It’s more than that,” Gramps explained. “It’s learning about real people and how they lived — their beliefs, government, and economy. By studying history we can see how our ancestors handled different situations. Understanding history also helps us to think about how we should handle modern day situations.”

“Think about our old house — all the families who lived here before us,” said Meg. “It’s pretty amazing.”

“Pretty spooky actually. Didn’t a Civil War soldier live here?” Peter asked, putting down his magazine. “I think his ghost still lives in the attic.”

“He was a Revolutionary War soldier. Remember, we found his grave in the cemetery? I don’t know about his ghost,” Meg replied.

“Revolutionary War. Civil War. What difference does it make?” said Peter.

“There’s a big difference,” Gramps said, a bit exasperated. “Each event in history teaches us when good decisions were made and the prices humankind has paid for past mistakes,” Gramps explained. “And it so happens that something arrived recently from an old friend of mine. I’m hoping that it will inspire you to learn more about history. It’s rather curious.”

“I love curious things,” exclaimed Meg. “What is it?”

“It’s in the hall closet,” Gramps pointed. “The two of you will have to drag it in here.”

Meg and Peter jumped up, raced into the hall and returned, pushing a large old chest.

“It’s from the Department of History at the University,” Meg read the tag.

“And it’s locked,” said Peter.

“And I have the key,” grinned Gramps. “And a letter that came with it.”

“Well, let’s have it, please!” they chimed eagerly.

Gramps handed over the key, and while Meg and Peter struggled with the old lock, he read the letter aloud:

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

“Wow! I’d really love to solve these cases and return all the artifacts,” said Meg.

“It sounds pretty tricky,” said Peter. “Let’s see what’s in the chest.”

“What is all this stuff?” Pe