I got feedback on the my last puzzle that solvers wished constructors would publish the steps to the solution. The solved grid and method will always be available on Xword-muggles.com in the Board index/Other Meta Crossword Puzzles/Madhatter's Enigma on Wednesdays (MEOW) section, but I'll include an abbreviated version here.
The solution lies in noticing the "split" Bills (CODY, MURRAY, GATES, COSBY). Each of their initial clues contains a nudge toward the right answer (ex Buffalo for CODY). If one takes the first letter of the clues that form the "split" Bill you get BCLINTON - good old Bubba.
Hector 🤓6:50 · 2022-10-12T15:14:03.014Z
I like this practice -- often I get to the answer but am unsure of this or that part of the mechanism. Thanks!
imontoo 3s · 2022-10-12T15:06:13.397Z
I always enjoy your clues, Tom.
Thanks for the puzzle.
Hector 🤓6:50 · 2022-10-12T15:13:24.574Z
Hi Tom, this is awesome. It's not really a theme entry you're looking for, but that's not a big deal (maybe theme "content", "item", or "material"?).
rjy 4s · 2022-10-12T16:43:58.280Z
Phew! made it to the finish line!
Assumed we'd do something with the initials CMGC, so I looked endlessly for some Bills who could at least provide me some vowels. FINALLY thought to look at the clues.
And totally missed your nudges in the clues... very clever! Enjoyed it, Dr Tom (well... except for a rather extended googling rabbit-hole... oof!)
Test solver here. I giggled at some of the clues, last time and this time.
boharr 3s · 2022-10-12T17:58:42.499Z
Fun and clever, DrTom. Thanks. But more a Puma, at least for me.
whimsy 🤓8:16 · 2022-10-12T23:58:07.056Z
DrTom gave my memory an elbow nudge...
Cindy Heisler 1s · 2022-10-13T11:16:55.466Z
I had the first step right away,but it took me a bit to figure out the next step. I kept trying to find a Bill with an 8-letter last name. Fun puzzle and great clues. Thanks!
I K Snamhcok 6s · 2022-10-13T21:14:34.633Z
Initially I suspected CLINTON might be the answer, but when Dr. T specified eight letters, I thought, “That can’t be it.” Also, I had noticed Buffalo, stripes, Windows, and the non-hero idea, and I thought that would be it for the clues. Wrong! Probably not your best, Dr. T, but I still enjoyed the experience.
Keep up the good work Tom! Very nice puzzle though that final step was beyond me without nudges.
Interestingly FORTEPIANO (loud-soft) was the old name for the plain old piano
ReB 7s · 2022-10-14T21:48:54.566Z
Once I took a fresh look and was able to get past the initial BC and after seeing that the rest of the first clue letters were LINTON, I finally realized that, unlike the four last name only themers, the answer consisted of the first name initial (B) followed by the last name.
I had suspected that Clinton would make a suitable solution, but discarded that early on because it only had seven letters and all the other themers were just the last names. I would say that there was some inconsistency/inelegance with that, though it obviously was necessary since you needed an 8-letter answer.
DrTom costruttore · 2022-10-15T01:18:03.097Z
Yes I was a bit stuck there because there are other "even number" Bill names (MURRAY) but though he is a well known Bill he is hardly the one you'd EXPECT to see in a puzzles about Bills. Additionally, it is quite difficult to find reasonable words that end with CL, CLI, CLIN to "split" him in a grid. Sorry you found it inconsistent/inelegant.
Carolyn 3s · 2022-10-16T23:57:34.565Z
I also ruled out Clinton based on seven letters. Finally came around to see the light.