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What? You say you were traveling to Toronto or waxing your moustache, and missed this month’s meeting of the John H. Watson Society? Well, here’s your chance to see what you missed on the latest episode of the Watsonian Weekly, where our usual fifteen minute podcast has been extended to include a hastily produced, written, and directed production of “The Frozen Pirate” by W. Clark Russell, perhaps John Watson’s favorite writer!

Can you last for the entire episode? That’s “The Clark Russell Challenge” and it’s available wherever The Watsonian Weekly is streamed, including this link:

https://watsonianweekly.libsyn.com/september-26-2022-the-clark-russell-challenge

Enjoy!

Have the equinoctial gales set in with exceptional violence in your neighborhood yet? The trees in the neighborhood of at least one Watsonian think so. Nonetheless, the internet cable is back and it’s time to gather the John H. Watson Society yet again.

In honor of a particular Watson September, we will be featuring an impromptu Clark Russell reader’s theater production of what some say is the very book he was reading the night that John Openshaw came to 221B Baker Street. (“Some” being a certain weekly podcast host.) You won’t want to miss it, just in case someone forgets to hit the “record” button.

When: Sep 24, 2022 12:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada) 

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYkdO-trjIuHdSh1BB-hobwjXJdoldPXH7y

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Attenta! Attenta! The results have arrived from our esteemed Treasure Hunt Master, Rich Krisciunas (Hector):

“The 2022 John H. Watson Society Treasure Hunt is now over with a record 27 participants trying to solve a contest that was described as “a death quiz,” “diabolical” and “fun, fun, fun.”

The quiz had 72 questions based on our heroes in the Canon, some really horrible puns and a killer cipher. The fun thing was to review all of your answers and award points when deserved. My final answer sheet grew by an additional two pages. One of my questions had an extra four possible correct answers that I hadn’t thought of. Hats off to all of you for being so clever and knowledgeable about our hobby.

The individual champion was Steve Mason (Tex) of the Crew of the Barque Lone Star and the head of the Legion of Zoom who scored 182 of out a possible 200 points. Mason edged out sixty five time champion Michael Ellis (Lobo) who scored 177 points. The difference turned out to be that darn cipher as Mason correctly solved the phrase, “Good old Watson. You are the one fixed point in a changing age.” Our society is named after Watson so that was the first clue. The dreaded cipher used the first letter only in four letter words. Puzzlers who wondered about why words like “xray” and “iced” coffee appeared in the message figured out the solution. 

Paul Thomas Miller (Buck), sole member of The Shingle of Southsea, finished in third place with 173 points ahead of Todd Winegar 159, Enrico Solito (Devon) 155, Paul Hartnet (Scout) 140. Tom Campbell, of Cape Fear, North Carolina, Caitlyn Maughan and Ellie Lo rounded out the group.

The toughest competition in Treasure Hunt history took place in the team category as two teams tied for first place with 190 points and the champion was decided by date of entry. “The Sound of the Baskervilles”; Cameron Brandon, Margie Deck (Mopsy), Sunny Even, Nancy Holder (Diana) and Naching Kassa submitted their entry on August 12 and ended up edging the “Ineffable Twaddles”; Beth Gallego (Selena Buttons), Sandra Little (Harmless), Brad Keefauver (Calder), Crystal Noll, Madeline Quinones (Maddy), and Tatiana Sharapa who turned in their answers on August 28. 

The all French team, “La Fayette SSHF,” led by captain,Daniel Henocq and his assistants Léandre Helbecque, Nicolas Maurel-Lalague, Florence Turenne and Thierry Saint-Joanis (Tristan) finished in third place with 136 points edging out Ed and Elaine Lintzenich who battled Covid and the cipher to finish fourth.

Thanks to all who participated and I hope the hours you put into the Hunt were enjoyable. Until next year, best wishes to all who play ‘The Game.'”

2022 Treasure Hunt Answers

We didn’t get the full Worst Watson Tournament recorded at Saturday’s meeting of the John H. Watson Society, but you can hear what we did get on this week’s Watsonian Weekly, the official podcast of the John H. Watson Society. Available from the link below, or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever questionable podcasts are available.

https://watsonianweekly.libsyn.com/august-29-2022-the-worst-watson-tournament

At the latest meeting of the John H. Watson Society, we decided the Worst Watson to date with a bracket tournament that reduced sixteen screen Watsons to a single Worst Watson. Who was voted the Worst Watson? It was definitely Dudley Moore from “The Hound of the Baskervilles,” who beat out Anthony O’Donnell in “Xango De Baker Street” in the final round. But in determining the worst of Watsons, the question was raised as to the best of Watsons.

How would we determine the best of Watsons? How do we reduce bias and perform the a more “scientific” determination of Watsonian quality than a silly bracket tournament or popularity contest? After some discussion, we decided that coming up with twenty characteristics of a true Dr. Watson that we could use to rate Watsons would be a great start. So what qualities? Display of friendship? Moustache? Wound carrying? Medical abilities? Verbal abilities of a writer?

In the comments below, we’re going to start collecting qualities in our initial efforts to build a matrix of perfect Watson qualities, based on the John H. Watson of the Original Canon. Let us know what qualities you think should be included in our search for the Best Watson Ever!

Don’t get so wrapped up in finishing the annual John H. Watson Society Treasure Hunt that you miss out on our August meeting! Yes, it’s a busy month, with school and such starting up again, but we still have important business to attend to, and you might want to be present when Decisions of Great Import are being made. What decisions?

Well, nothing less than picking the Worst Watson of All Time. Nigel Bruce has suffered long enough, and it’s time to point out that there are far worse Watsons out there. And to make that point, we’re holding a Worst Watson Tournament, in that classic bracket play-off fashion, as our society narrows down the field from sixteen worst Wats-ons to a single Wats-off, the true king of bad Watsonery!

And, yes, you are invited to this frabulous Zoom meeting.
When: Aug 27, 2022 12:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0kcuuhpjovE9KFQbFARcOyqYE3AIiAfk_0

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

“But I did think that I had put the game in their hands.”

In keeping with the long-standing tradition of canonical quizzing among Sherlock Holmes societies around the world, The John H Watson Society invites all Sherlockians, Holmesians, and Watsonians to participate in the Annual John H Watson Society Canonical Treasure Hunt.

The goal of the Treasure Hunt is to bring together Watsonians, Sherlockians, and Holmesians on a global, collegial basis to further the scholarship and enjoyment of our mutual interest in all things 1895.  The JHWS hopes participants will find the Treasure Hunt to be the definitive — and the most enjoyable — canonical quiz.   The competition runs from August 1 through August 31 each year.

Returning Treasure Hunt Master Rich Krisciunas invites individuals and teams to this year’s 73-question hunt. You will find a link to download the questions below.

Requests for clarifications or other questions for the treasure hunt master may be asked by commenting on this post, or by emailing the master at treasurehunt@johnhwatsonsociety.com. If you ask a question in the comments, please do not post possible answers.

Your answers should be sent by email no later than midnight, EDT, August 31, 2022 to treasurehunt@johnhwatsonsociety.com.

The time allowed to complete the 2022 Treasure Hunt teaser has passed. And, as Musgrave told Holmes, “I have a copy of the questions and answers here, if you care to run your eye over them.”

Treasure Hunt Master Rich Krisciunas sent along the answers, as well as a reminder that this year’s hunt will commence right after midnight tomorrow night. Are you ready?

TREASURE HUNT TEASER

As a preview of the 2022 John H. Watson Society Treasure Hunt, fill in the blanks:

(1 point for each correct answer unless noted.)

                                                IT ALL STARTED WITH OUR GOOD DOCTOR

1. Dr. John H. Watson received his medical degree from ____________________________

ANSWER: THE UNIVERSITY OF LONDON.

• Subsequently, he trained to be a surgeon at ___________________

ANSWER: NETLEY.

• In India, he was attached to the ________________________

ANSWER: 5^TH NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS

• Upon reaching Candahar he subsequently was attached to ____________________

ANSWER: THE BERKSHIRES

• Where he served in the battle of _________________

ANSWER: MAIWAND

• Before he was injured after being struck by a _______________________-

ANSWER: JEZAIL BULLET.

• He was saved and carried off the battlefield by __________________________

ANSWER: MURRAY HIS ORDERLY.

• He was transported home on the troopship _______________________

ANSWER:ORONTES

• Watson’s pension amount was __________________________

ANSWER: ELEVEN SHILLINGS AND SIX PENCE.

CANONICAL ADDRESSES

1. The address of the woman engaged to a head waiter.

ANSWER: 11 RUE DE TRAJAN, MONTPELIER

Marie Devine, the maid, was as popular as her mistress. She was actually engaged to one of the head waiters in the hotel, and there was no difficulty in getting her address. It was 11 Rue de Trajan, Montpellier.  LADY

1. The address where the coffin was delivered.

ANSWER: No. 36, Poultney Square, Brixton.

Then she called a cab and got in. I was lucky enough to get another and so to follow her. She got down at last at No. 36, Poultney Square, Brixton. I was standing there, wondering what I should do next, when a covered van drove up with two men in it. They descended, took something out of the van, and carried it up the steps to the hall door. Mr. Holmes, it was a coffin.” LADY

1. The address where the constable lived.

ANSWER: 46, AUDLEY COURT, KENSINGTON PARK GATE

I should like to speak to the constable who found the body. Can you give me his name and address?” Lestrade glanced at his note-book. “John Rance,” he said. “He is off duty now. You will find him at 46, Audley Court, Kennington Park Gate.”

1. The address of the inspector invited to breakfast.

ANSWER: 46 LORD STREET, BRIXTON

“The other is: ‘Inspector Stanley Hopkins, 46 Lord Street, Brixton. Come breakfast to-morrow at nine-thirty.”

1. The addresses of two who were both suspected.

ANSWER: 13 GREAT GEORGE STREET, 13 CAULFIELD GARDENS, KENSINGTON

There are numerous small fry, but few who would handle so big an affair. The only men worth considering are Adolph Mayer, of 13 Great George Street, Westminster; Louis La Rothiere, of Campden Mansions, Notting Hill; and Hugo Oberstein, 13 Caulfield Gardens, Kensington. BRUC

                                         DO YOU HAVE THE TIME?

1. Five who were scheduled to arrive at noon. Who and where? 6 pts

ANSWER: HOLMES AND WATSON AT ST. BARTS, COL. VALENTINE WALTER AND OBERSTEIN AT SMOKING ROOM AT CHARING CROSS HOTEL, DR. BARNICOT AT HIS SURGERY AT LOWER BRIXTON ROAD.

Holmes to Watson: “A fellow who is working at the chemical laboratory up at the hospital. He was bemoaning himself this morning because he could not get someone to go halves with him in some nice rooms which he had found, and which were too much for his purse.”

“When shall we see them?” “Call for me here at noon to-morrow, and we’ll go together and settle everything,” he answered. “All right—noon exactly,” said I, shaking his hand.” STUD

Agony column ad written by Co. Valentine Walter directed to Oberstein,

“Therefore I shall expect to meet you in the smoking-room of the Charing Cross Hotel at noon on Saturday. Remember that only English notes, or gold, will be taken. And it did! It is a matter of history—that secret history of a nation which is often so much more intimate and interesting than its public chronicles—that Oberstein, eager to complete the coup of his lifetime, came to the lure and was safely engulfed for fifteen years in a British prison.” BRUC

“There lives a well-known medical practitioner, named Dr. Barnicot, who has one of the largest practices upon the south side of the Thames. His residence and principal consulting-room is at Kennington Road, but he has a branch surgery and dispensary at Lower Brixton Road, two miles away.

Dr. Barnicot was due at his surgery at twelve o’clock, and you can imagine his amazement when, on arriving there, he found that the window had been opened in the night…” SIXN

August is almost here, and you know what that means! It’s Treasure Hunt time again, so this coming Saturday, July 23, the bull pups and friends will gather on Zoom for a virtual training montage to get in shape for running with the pack next month.

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtcu6vqj8sE9xPLUdUWP8QJExL8KLRilgW

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

And while you’re waiting for Saturday, here’s the weekly episode of our society’s podcast if you aren’t subscribed on your favorite podcast service: https://watsonianweekly.libsyn.com/july-18-2022-somebody-takes-it-in-the-face-will-it-be-watson (Don’t expect it to last you until Saturday though — it’s not quite fifteen minutes.)

The 2022 John H Watson Society Annual Treasure Hunt is fast approaching and Treasure Hunt Master Rich Krisciunas has a little teaser to warm up your hunting skills.

In keeping with JHWS tradition, the annual hunt will begin as midnight of July 31 passes to August 1. This year the posting will be made Pacific Time (PDT). As always, individuals and teams are encouraged to join in the fun. The hunt will run the full month of August, and results will be announced in September.

There is no need to submit your warmup work. Answers will be posted on July 29.

Happy Hunting!

TREASURE HUNT TEASER

As a preview of the 2022 John H. Watson Society Treasure Hunt, fill in the blanks:

(1 point for each correct answer unless noted.)

                                                IT ALL STARTED WITH OUR GOOD DOCTOR

(Easy details that you probably know from memory.)

1. Dr. John H. Watson received his medical degree from __________________________

• Subsequently, he trained to be a surgeon at __________________________________

• In India, he was attached to the _____________________________________________

• Upon reaching Candahar he subsequently was attached to ______________________

• Where he served in the battle of _____________________________________________

• Before he was injured after being struck by a __________________________________

• He was saved and carried off the battlefield by _________________________________

• He was transported home on the troopship ____________________________________

• Watson’s pension amount was _______________________________________________

CANONICAL ADDRESSES

(Harder addresses you’ll probably have to look up.)

1. The address of the woman engaged to a waiter.

1. Where the coffin was delivered.

1. Where the constable lived.

1. The address of the inspector invited to breakfast.

1. The addresses of three who were suspected. 3 pts

                                    DO YOU HAVE THE TIME?

(If you like this one, you’ll like the Treasure Hunt that starts July 31 at midnight.)

1. Five who were scheduled to arrive at noon. Who and where? 8 pts