The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-06-23
CHAT WITH CONTRIBUTORS.

Ono year Thanks to the kindness of our
many friends throughout Puzzledom who have
kept US literally supplied with puzzles of all
varieties we have been enabled to present to
the readers of The NATIONAL TRIBUNE so
consecutive issues of Mystery" and we now
enter upon our second year with the most
pleasant recollections Of the one that has past
and with the firm intention Of making the
weekly visits of Mystery" still more agree
able to its numerous friends. From the many
commendatory letters received we are almost
led to believe that our department has been o
success, and presuming upon our right to this
belief we shall earnestly endeavor to maintain
the standard which we have attained. sum-
mary of the contents of tho first 81 issues will
here be given. Four hundred and ninety EIGHT
puzzles were published, 106 different contribu-
tors being represented. The largest number of
flats, 80, appeared over the nom de- plume of
Nyas Hal Hazard and T. Hinker have each
had 16 of their forms published Among the
forms above the average size which have been
presented are six Sword squares, three 13.
word diamonds eight IL word half-squares, one
9-word rhomboid one 10-word rhomboid, two
double 11.word diamonds, one 13-word half
square. and one 15-word pyramid. The new
form by II. S. Nut, the heptagon, was first
published in Mystery" A great improve
mcnt in the quality of the work of the different
formists has been apparent, and we have
been enabled several occasions to pre-.
sent issues entirely devoid of the obsolete"
tag, which is Objectionable to quite number.
The solvers' lists for the first As issues show
a total of 2.3i8, making the average list SO. A
list Of 130 solvers to No. 16 served to break all
previous records. X. T.. Did alone has been
able to master the many intricacies presented,
he being credited with the solution of every
puzzle in the issues we are summarizing. This
is truly a creditable showing. Washington,
noted for the activity of its pnzzlers, has been
represented in every issue to date both by solv-
ers and contributors The series of biographies
and pictures of prominent puzzlers, the 11th of
which Is above given, has proven of interest
to our readers, rs their letters have testified,
and the following puzzlers have had their
features portrayed: Nyas, Ben Trovato B.
Mack, Merry Mack, 10 Mullins and J. E. W.
This series will be continued until pictures of all
the prominent mystics have appeared. During
the last half of the year, death claimed two of
our regular contributors, Nestor and Oliver
Oldbuck, and their loss has been keenly felt.
To the many fIiends who have so kindly aided
us in our endeavor to present ffrst-class de-
partment we extend our sincere thanks, and
we earnestly hope that we may be able to earn
their approval for another year.-Acceptabi
contributions have been received during the
week from ]. E. W., Barnyard, Goldey, Pen
Ledcil, X. O. Chester, T. Hinker, Lord Balti-
more, M. C. s., and Ben Trovato. For the
benefit of those who may have missed any
numbers of Mystery" and who wish to pre-
serve a complete file, we would say that we
have.on hand quite number of back issues, and
we may be ablo to furnish any desired issue
upon receipt of request for same, with stamp
inclosed.
623 92. EUGENE