Elmer McCurdy, a small-time outlaw whose post-mortem journey became far more legendary than his life, ended up as an unwitting prop in an episode of the television show “The Six Million Dollar Man,” specifically the season three episode titled “The Carnival of Spies” aired on March 16, 1976. This discovery, made during filming in an amusement park funhouse, unraveled a decades-long mystery surrounding his mummified corpse.
The Life and Death of a Would-Be Train Robber
Elmer McCurdy wasn’t exactly a criminal mastermind. Born in 1880 in Washington, Maine, his life was largely unremarkable until he drifted west and became a Dynamite Expert (at least, that was the claim). He attempted several robberies, none particularly successful. His most infamous attempt, the train robbery of October 1911, netted him a measly $46 and some whiskey, hardly the stuff of legend. Shortly after, McCurdy was shot and killed by law enforcement near Pawhuska, Oklahoma.
From Mortuary to Mummification
Unable to be identified immediately, McCurdy’s body was taken to the undertaking parlor of Joseph L. Johnson in Pawhuska. When no one claimed the body, Johnson, ever the entrepreneur, embalmed McCurdy with arsenic-based embalming fluid, which effectively mummified him. He then dressed the body and stood it up in the corner of the funeral home, charging a nickel for people to see “The Bandit Who Wouldn’t Give Up.”
The Carnival Years and Beyond
For years, the mortician’s exhibit proved a morbidly popular attraction. Eventually, in 1916, two men claiming to be McCurdy’s brothers appeared and took possession of the body. In reality, they were carnival promoters who saw an opportunity to capitalize on the macabre fascination surrounding McCurdy. For the next six decades, his mummified remains toured the country as a sideshow attraction, changing hands numerous times and slowly fading from public memory. His travels took him from traveling circuses to wax museums, all the while accumulating dust and mystery.
The Unmasking: “The Six Million Dollar Man”
The turning point came in 1976, during the filming of “The Carnival of Spies” episode of “The Six Million Dollar Man” at the Nu-Pike Amusement Park in Long Beach, California. A crew member, preparing to move what he believed to be a wax dummy hanging in the funhouse, accidentally dislodged an arm. The arm broke off, revealing human bone beneath the wax and paint.
The Investigation Begins
Authorities were immediately notified. The mummified body, initially mistaken for a wax dummy, was taken to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office. An autopsy revealed that the remains were, in fact, human, and decades old. Forensic investigation began, leading to a painstaking process of identifying the mysterious mummy.
The Identification: A Triumph of Forensic Science
The key to unlocking McCurdy’s identity was a tattoo found on his arm and old promotional posters that still existed from his carnival days. These clues, combined with old newspaper articles and FBI records, eventually led to the positive identification of Elmer McCurdy. The discovery made headlines, finally bringing closure to a bizarre chapter of American history.
A Final Resting Place
After the identification, McCurdy’s remains were finally given a proper burial at the Boot Hill section of the Summit View Cemetery in Guthrie, Oklahoma in 1977. To ensure his eternal rest, concrete was poured over his coffin to prevent any further unwanted exhumations. The service was well-attended, marking the end of McCurdy’s strange posthumous journey.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
H2 FAQs About Elmer McCurdy
FAQ 1: Was Elmer McCurdy a famous outlaw in his own time?
No, Elmer McCurdy was not a famous outlaw. His crimes were small-time and largely unsuccessful. His fame arose almost entirely from the strange circumstances surrounding his mummified remains after his death.
FAQ 2: How did Elmer McCurdy’s body become mummified?
Elmer McCurdy’s body was mummified through the embalming process. The undertaker, Joseph L. Johnson, used an arsenic-based embalming fluid that had a preservative effect. Because no one claimed the body for an extended period, the fluid effectively mummified it.
FAQ 3: Why did the undertaker keep Elmer McCurdy’s body for so long?
The undertaker, Joseph L. Johnson, kept McCurdy’s body because no one came to claim it. To recoup his costs and profit, he turned the body into a macabre attraction, charging people to view “The Bandit Who Wouldn’t Give Up.”
FAQ 4: How long did Elmer McCurdy’s body travel as a carnival attraction?
Elmer McCurdy’s body traveled as a carnival attraction for approximately six decades, from 1916 until its discovery in 1976.
FAQ 5: Who initially claimed to be Elmer McCurdy’s brothers?
The men who initially claimed to be Elmer McCurdy’s brothers were carnival promoters. They used false identities to take possession of the body and capitalize on its morbid appeal.
FAQ 6: What gave the crew member on “The Six Million Dollar Man” the first clue that the prop wasn’t a dummy?
The crew member became suspicious when he accidentally broke the “dummy’s” arm and saw human bone underneath the surface.
FAQ 7: What evidence was used to identify Elmer McCurdy’s body?
The identification of Elmer McCurdy’s body relied on several pieces of evidence, including a tattoo on his arm, old promotional posters, newspaper articles, and FBI records.
FAQ 8: Where is Elmer McCurdy buried now?
Elmer McCurdy is buried in the Boot Hill section of the Summit View Cemetery in Guthrie, Oklahoma.
FAQ 9: Why was concrete poured over Elmer McCurdy’s coffin?
Concrete was poured over Elmer McCurdy’s coffin to prevent any further exhumations or desecration of his remains.
FAQ 10: What was the specific episode of “The Six Million Dollar Man” in which McCurdy’s body was discovered?
The specific episode of “The Six Million Dollar Man” was “The Carnival of Spies,” which aired on March 16, 1976.
FAQ 11: Was Elmer McCurdy’s story ever fictionalized in other media?
Yes, Elmer McCurdy’s story has been fictionalized or referenced in various media, including documentaries, books, and even songs by the band The Dukes of Stratosphear (XTC).
FAQ 12: What does Elmer McCurdy’s story say about American culture and fascination with death?
Elmer McCurdy’s story highlights a peculiar aspect of American culture: a morbid fascination with death and the sensational. His posthumous journey, from a failed outlaw to a sideshow attraction to an unwitting Hollywood prop, reflects a willingness to profit from tragedy and the enduring allure of the macabre. It also speaks to the importance of proper identification and respectful treatment of the deceased.