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Here's a puzzle an Omaha puzzlemaker couldn't figure out: Who is P.B.S. Pinchback?
Omahan Matt Swanson couldn't answer that question during Friday's episode of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire.” But he bagged a pretty nice consolation prize — a check for $50,000.
Swanson earned the money by correctly answering a number of questions.
Knowing that “We are their voice” is the motto of the ASPCA netted him $7,500. Knowing that $5,000 is the proper tithe for a churchgoer earning $50,000 a year scored Swanson $10,000. Knowing that Mayim Bialik starred in the TV show “Blossom” got him $12,500.
Swanson was stumped by the next question about something called Ebright Azimuth in Delaware. Swanson turned to the show's celebrity helper for advice. The helper was Ken Jennings, who scored millions on the gameshow “Jeopardy!” jennings told him Ebright Azimuth is Delaware's highest point. Swanson took the advice and won $15,000.
He needed help on the next question as well. He didn't know what the drug Palladia treated in dogs. He called his stepson, Greg Christensen of Omaha, who told Swanson the drug treated cancer. Christensen was correct and helped Swanson bag $25,000.
Swanson won $50,000 for knowing that Nancy Pelosi's brother and father served as mayor of Baltimore.
His winning streak stopped there. The next question asked about Pinchback. Was he a Charles Dickens character, the inventor of the combination lock, a NASCAR crew chief or the first black governor in the United States? If Swanson answered correctly, he'd win $100,000. If he was wrong, he'd walk away with only $25,000. If he left without answering, he'd pocket $50,000. He debated answering that Pinchback was a Dickens character but wasn't sure enough to take the risk. Swanson elected to walk away with $50,000.
Turns out it was a good decision. Pinchback was the first black governor in the United States. He held the post in Louisiana for 35 days in 1872 and 1873.
Contact the writer:
444-1220, dane.stickney@owh.com
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