THE CRIME

A 17th-century Caravaca Cross (produced to celebrate the end of the Black Death in Europe) was found on this property several years ago, and kept in safe storage. It has been stolen! Authorities are certain that the thief is still on the property, but they are not certain who it was. The cross was stashed in a hiding place, but what – and in what room? That is where you come in: help Miss Fatio find her cross and bring the culprit to justice!

There are 9 rooms to choose from, 7 potential hiding places, and 7 suspects. Who stole the cross? What did they stash it in? Where – in which room – did they hide it? Pay attention as you tour the potential crime scenes.

And remember, it’s all a crime scene so… TOUCH NOTHING!
Don’t delay – you only have 90 minutes. GOOD LUCK!

Heist at the Museum

The Game

The Ximenez-Fatio House is offering a special event every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday that focuses on the rare 17th-century Caravaca Cross that was discovered during an archaeological dig in 2002 at the Ximenez-Fatio House. The artifact has been on display for all visitors to see.

The premise of the “Heist at the Museum” event is that the cross was stolen, and the villain is still on the property and has hidden the cross in one of nine rooms. Join in the hunt for the cross as clues are revealed on this special tour. There are six potential hiding places and six suspects. Who can find the cross? Who can identify the villain? Please help Miss Fatio and the lead detective bring this dastardly criminal to justice.

Heist at the Museum takes place every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $20.00 per person and the game will last approximately 90 minutes or longer – depending upon how good of a detective you are!

The Suspects

Bennedette the Suffragette

Known around town as Bennie the ‘Gette, this is one hard working lady. Bennie moved to St. Augustine before the war and has protested for Women’s Rights with both Confederate and Union officials to no avail. But that doesn’t dampen her spirits. Determined to lead the women of Northeast Florida into the dawning of a new era, Bennie the ‘Gette has been seen around town wearing men’s boots and a mohair suit – something she claimed to have seen in a magazine.

Senator Manuel de Zespédes, IV

Senator Zespedés isn’t really a senator, he’s more the town character. His great grandfather was the Spanish governor of East Florida from 1784–1790. It seems, however, that no one told his decedents that being governor wasn’t a hereditary position. When Zespédes the IV heard the news, he graciously demoted himself to a senator. That being said, he has been known to “borrow” things around town, if you take my meaning.

Carlton the Doorman

Carlton the doorman is one of the nicest people in St. Augustine. He always greets folks with a huge grin and a simple introduction of “Hello, I’m Carlton the doorman.” No matter how many times he’s met folks already, he always introduces himself like the true gentle giant he is. Unfortunately, he has always been captivated by the beauty of the Caravaca Cross, so he has come under suspicion by authorities. So far, all they have for his statement is that his name is Carlton…and he’s the doorman.

Miss Lucille Guicé

Miss Lucille Guicé, a.k.a. Juicy Lucy, a.k.a. Lucy Goosey, doesn’t actually live at the boarding house, but she’s known to be a frequent guest when Miss Fatio is either out of town or already asleep. Miss Loosie is very popular with the Union soldiers, and the cowboys in Hastings…and the teamsters who come down from Jacksonville…and the boys down at the courthouse jail… and the young men over at the Lighthouse. I guess she’s just about the friendliest woman in St. Johns County! But she was found standing in front of the broken case that held the Caravaca Cross – oh well!

Dr. Urah Pehpah

Dr. Urah Pehpah claims to have studied medicine in the Indian sub-continent where learned the secrets of certain mysterious herbs and ingredients for his elixirs. His real name is Portentous Snodgrass, a 4th grade dropout from Indiana. A professional con artist, Snodgrass came to St. Augustine 11 months ago and has been in trouble with the law continually for fraud, petty theft, cheating at cards, and picking pockets. His medicinal elixirs have been known to cause severe gastric malfeasance, raging itch, rapid hair loss, and is a wonderful silver polish!

Mr. and Mrs.

“Shaggy” and Polly Esther Rugg

The Rugg’s are carpetbaggers – parasites from up North praying on destitute southern landowners who lost everything in the war and are desperate for money. The Rugg’s have bought up several acreages in St. Johns County for pennies on the dollar, including Miss Fatio’s old homestead on the St. Johns River near New Switzerland. They travel incognito in order to keep locals unaware that they are in the area. Authorities have no real evidence to hold the Ruggs, they just don’t like them!

Major Kean F. Sharpe, U.S. Army

Major Sharp was assigned to the coquina fort in 1864 and rode out the war in St. Augustine after contracting consumption, or what some medical colleges are calling tuberculosis. Whatever it’s called, he coughs up a storm non-stop. Everyone claims to have heard coughing the night the Caravaca Cross was stolen, but then again, they all agree that he coughs day and night so…what’s new. Authorities, however, found traces of saliva and blood spatter on the case where the Cross was taken.

Mrs. Zephaniah Wheeler

Mrs. Wheeler and her husband came to St. Augustine for her health. She seems to be getting healthier because she’s in a wheelchair yet has been seen navigating the stairs under the cover of darkness on more than one occasion. Her husband’s health, on the other hand, has gotten worse – they fished him out of the Matanzas River three weeks ago, leaving her short on cash. Hmmm…

Captain Horatio Ironside, U.S. Navy

Captain Ironside came to St. Augustine in 1862, when his gunboat landed in the harbor and captured the coquina fort from Confederate troops. The Union officer then set about building quite an empire throughout Northeast Florida, shall we say…trading-in on the spoils of war. He has been known to ask way too many questions about the Caravaca Cross and once attempted to confiscate the priceless artifact as evidence in some trumped-up charge against Miss Fatio at war’s end. He dropped the charges when Mama Kate slapped him silly with a cast iron ladle. It’s been said that he is out for revenge.

Miss Michelle Angelo

Miss Angelo is the epitome of a starving artist, but Miss Fatio is convinced that she is destined for greatness and her work will be priceless. Meanwhile, Michelle dabbles in her paints and borrows money from basically anyone she talks to. She was overheard at the bank last week asking if anyone there knew the value of the Caravaca Cross. Evidently the word “priceless” isn’t enough to go on.