Mystery of the man and parcel in the time capsule

IT is a mystery that may never be solved. One hundred years after it was buried, a time capsule from 1912 has been opened. But what is the strange parcel and who is that man?

The strange parcel found in the time capsule.

IT IS a mystery that may never be solved.

100 years after it was buried, a church in Michigan pulled up a time capsule from 1912.

Inside the container is something strange no one has been able to explain, the Lansing State Journal reports.

It contains the expected memorabilia from the era - photographs, church books and newspapers. But also pulled from the earth was a mysterious parcel with cryptic instructions for the future:

It reads in old-fashioned handwriting:

"If opened after the lapse of many years, these are to be presented to relatives of Rev. Foote if any are alive. Cassius Alexander, Warden. Presented by Rev. J. E. Foote Congregational Minister."

This photo, found in the capsule, reportedly shows Reverend Foote (with the white hat).

Unfortunately, no one at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Grand Ledge has any idea who Reverend Foote is.

The only clue is a grainy, black and white photo included in the capsule, which apparently shows the reverend holding a white hat.

In a list of the time capsule contents, published in 1984, the strange parcel doesn't get a mention.

The church has decided the secret contents of the package will not be revealed until a living descendant of Reverend Foote is located.

Who is the man with the white hat? What was he so intent on sending to the future?

Unfortunately, we may never know.