@LeppyR64 @Khale_Kitha Good job. Due to the fact, that I can't split up the bounty (what would be reasonable here), would you mind if I pick Khale_Kitha's answer? I have seen KK working hard on this one, contributing a lot. Any other suggestion?
Can't we show this bounties aside the question? I did know of this. I think that this won't make people work on the questions, if they don't find this very meta post.
Question: Can I put a (non expiring) bounty on real world "Unsolved Mysteries" questions to try to make people working on them or at least share their ideas?
I fear that I led you off a bit, because you're no more referencing/considering the first block of numbers. Remeber "It looked somehow familiar". The first solution is not required for the second. This does not mean, that you can/should ignore part one.
But that would mean, that the solutions are connected. But they're not. I mean in the sense that the first answers would help to find the second. That's not the case.
@Khale_Kitha: You're right. But to get from 2653 to a reasonable word is a fair challenge. If you consider the sorrounding story, there is one possibility you should consider.