The Strange Saga of Elmer McCurdy, The Outlaw Who Became A Mummy

The Wild Tale of Elmer McCurdy needs to be Heard to be Believed. He was Highly Desired, A Star Attraction, Toured the United States, Appeared in Movies, All While Being Dead

AI Generated by Eddie Wise.

The strange and macabre tale of Elmer McCurdy begins in Washington, Maine. On January 1, 1880, Elmer J. McCurdy was born to Sadie McCurdy, who at the time of Elmer’s birth was a 17-year-old unwed mother. In order to shield Sadie from the stigma of being an unmarried mother, as well as give Elmer a more traditional and stable family unit, he was adopted by Sadie’s brother George and his wife Helen, who led young Elmer to believe that he was their biological son.

Unfortunately, young Elmer’s life would be forever altered when George died of tuberculosis in 1890. Elmer then moved with Sadie and Helen to Bangor Maine. Sadie finally revealed the truth that she was Elmer’s mother, and Helen and George were his aunt and uncle and not his parents. Sadie also revealed that she was unsure who Elmer’s biological father was.

Understandably, this news was quite jarring to McCurdy who soon

began drinking heavily, a pattern that would continue for the remainder of his life. He eventually went to live with his grandfather where he became an apprentice plumber. He thrived in his work until forces outside of his control forever changed his fate. First, economic hardship caused him to lose his job, then in August 1900, his mother died suddenly, followed one month later by the passing of his grandfather.

These sudden losses caused 20-year-old Elmer to leave Maine and travel the Eastern United States taking work where he could find it. He worked both as a plumber and lead miner. Unfortunately, by this time his drinking was severe and he was unable to hold a steady job.

He then made his way to Kansas where he once again took work as a plumber. In 1907, he joined the Army where he became a machine gun operator. He was also trained in the use of nitroglycerin. (Which would come into play later) In November 1910, McCurdy was honorably discharged from the Army and returned to Kansas.

Photo of Elmer McCurdy

Career As An Outlaw

Shortly after his discharge from the Army, McCurdy and an Army buddy were arrested in St. Joseph, Kansas for possession of burglary tools, including hacksaws, chisels, and gunpowder. McCurdy and his friend argued that they were inventing a foot-operated machine gun, and rather than being burglary tools, they were necessary components for their invention. The jury believed the pair and in January 1911, McCurdy and his friend were found not guilty.