The Fascinating Story of Elmer McCurdy: The Outlaw Who Became a Mummy

Elmer McCurdy, a notorious outlaw from the Wild West, led a life filled with both crime and tragedy. While his life ended in a bloody shootout, his story continued in a most unexpected way – as a mummified exhibit in a travelling carnival. McCurdy’s journey from outlaw to carnival attraction is a captivating tale of the Wild West’s dark side, the macabre nature of early 20th-century entertainment, and the strange ways in which history can be preserved.

The Life and Death of an Outlaw

Born in 1880, Elmer McCurdy was a notorious figure in the American West. He was involved in a variety of criminal activities, including train robberies, bank heists, and cattle rustling. In 1911, McCurdy was killed in a shootout with lawmen in Oklahoma. His death was a relatively unremarkable event in the violent annals of the Wild West. However, McCurdy’s story took a bizarre turn after his demise.

From Outlaw to Carnival Attraction

Following his death, McCurdy’s body was embalmed and placed in a coffin. However, his journey didn’t end there. His body, still in the coffin, was acquired by a travelling carnival, likely as a morbid curiosity for onlookers. McCurdy’s body was eventually mummified and displayed as a prop in a carnival funhouse. He was billed as a ‘dead outlaw’ and was part of a display that included other macabre items.

For decades, McCurdy’s mummified body travelled across the United States, attracting crowds eager to see the ‘real’ Wild West outlaw. He was often displayed with a gun and a cigarette, adding to his outlaw persona. However, nobody knew the real story behind the ‘dead outlaw’ in the carnival display.

A Shocking Discovery

In 1976, a group of investigators from the Oklahoma Historical Society were investigating the history of early 20th-century carnivals. They stumbled upon a newspaper article from 1911 that described the death of an outlaw named Elmer McCurdy. The description matched the ‘dead outlaw’ displayed in the carnival. Through further investigation and DNA testing, the investigators confirmed that the mummified body in the carnival was indeed Elmer McCurdy.

A Final Resting Place

After decades of being displayed as a carnival attraction, McCurdy’s body was finally given a proper burial in 1977. He was laid to rest in a cemetery in Oklahoma, where he could finally find peace. McCurdy’s story is a fascinating example of how history can be preserved in unexpected ways. His journey from outlaw to carnival exhibit is a testament to the strange and sometimes macabre nature of early 20th-century entertainment.

Lessons from McCurdy’s Story

Elmer McCurdy’s story reminds us of the importance of preserving history, even in its most unexpected forms. It also highlights the dangers of exploiting tragedy for entertainment purposes. While McCurdy’s body was initially displayed as a morbid curiosity, his story eventually became a reminder of the human cost of violence and the importance of respecting the dead.