Grave of Elmer McCurdy the Sideshow Mummy - Guthrie, OK
Posted by: 
Max and 99
N 35° 53.890 W 097° 24.211
14S E 644077 N 3973831
Elmer McCurdy's grave, located in the Boot Hill section of Summit View Cemetery
Waymark Code: WMA9EV
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 12/07/2010
Views: 17
Elmer McCurdy's grave is located alongside Bill Doolin's, in the Boot Hill section of Guthrie's Summit View Cemetery. This entire Boot Hill area is where several of the infamous Oklahoma outlaws are buried. Many were killed in shootouts with the U.S. Marshalls.
Elmer McCurdy's story is an interesting one. According to wikipedia, Elmer was not a very smart bandit. In other words, he wasn't very good at it! When finally caught, rumor has it that his last words were "You'll never take me alive!"
When Elmer's body was not claimed by anyone, the undertaker embalmed the body, and put it on display. For 5 cents, anyone interested could view the body of the bandit that refused to give up! Soon after, a shady businessman convinced the undertaker that Elmer was his brother, and he took the body and displayed it in his carnival. Elmer's body was sold several times after that to various travelling shows.
The body was forgotten, and in 1976 was rediscovered accidentally by a crew member working on a T.V. series. Forensic anthropologists were able to use evidence found in McCurdy's mouth as well as analysis of the body to confirm that it was Elmer's.
April 22, 1977 was the day that the body was interred in Summit View, and under two feet of concrete to insure that the body would not be disturbed again.
Text on headstone;
Elmer McCurdy
Shot by Sheriff's Posse in Osage Hills on Oct. 7, 1911
Returned to Guthrie, Okla. from Los Angeles County. Calif.
for burial Apr. 22, 1977
Price of Admission: 0.00 (listed in local currency)
Weekday Hours: From: 6:00 AM To: 6:00 PM
Weekend Hours: From: 6:00 AM To: 6:00 PM
Roadside Attractions Website: [Web Link]
Location Website: Not listed
|
Visit Instructions:
When posting a new log for a waymark, please include a picture if there isn't one included on the original posting. Add your thoughts about the roadside attraction and let everyone know if it is worth while stopping to see.