The captivating legends of the Little People of Wyoming have fascinated generations, weaving tales of diminutive beings into the rich tapestry of Indigenous folklore. These ancient stories gained a startling dimension with the discovery of the Pedro Mountains Mummy, a find that challenged conventional understanding and sparked a enduring scientific debate.
Ancient Legends of the Little People
Oral traditions among numerous Native American tribes, including the Arapaho, Sioux, Cheyenne, and Crow, speak of “little people” standing from just 20 inches to three feet tall. While some tribes refer to them as “tiny people eaters,” others venerate them as benevolent spirits, powerful healers, or magical entities akin to European leprechauns or fairies. These legends were deeply ingrained in Indigenous cultures across the continent long before European contact.
For the Shoshone Indians of Wyoming, this elusive small race was known as the Nimerigar. Their legends vividly describe the Nimerigar as fierce warriors, capable of attacking with tiny bows and poisoned arrows. Furthermore, Shoshone lore recounts a grim Nimerigar practice: the mercy killing of their own kind with a blow to the head when individuals became too ill or infirm to contribute actively to their society. While this detail is part of the legend, it’s worth noting that the practice of sometimes ending the suffering of the infirmed was not uncommon among various nomadic Indian tribes, driven by the harsh realities of survival.
The Unearthing of the Pedro Mountains Mummy
Despite the widespread belief that these “little people” existed only in the realm of myth, a remarkable discovery in 1932 ignited fervent speculation. Two gold prospectors, Cecil Main and Frank Carr, were tirelessly working a rich vein in the remote San Pedro Mountains, approximately 60 miles southwest of Casper, Wyoming. Confronted by an impenetrable rock barrier, they resorted to dynamite to blast a section of the mountainside. After the dust settled, a small cave, previously sealed off by a thick rock wall, became visible. The cavern itself was modest, measuring about 15 feet long and 4 feet high.
Upon entering, Main and Carr were astonished to find a pygmy-like figure seated cross-legged on a small ledge. This tiny, fully formed mummy, later famously known as the Pedro Mountains Mummy, measured only about 6.5 inches tall in its seated posture. Estimates suggested it would have stood approximately 14 inches tall if upright.
A Closer Look at the Mysterious Mummy
The mummy’s preservation was remarkable, lending an air of profound antiquity to its appearance. Its skin was brown and deeply wrinkled, its forehead low and distinctively flat. The face bore features resembling an old man, with a flat nose, heavy-lidded eyes, and a very wide mouth with thin lips. Even its fingernails remained visible, a testament to its pristine state. Intriguingly, the top of its head was covered in a dark, jelly-like substance that was still pliable.
The prospectors brought their extraordinary find to Casper, Wyoming, attracting scientists and anthropologists from across the nation. Initial reactions were skeptical, with many assuming the mummy was a clever hoax or a taxidermy creation. However, rigorous examination, including X-rays, soon dispelled these doubts. The X-rays revealed a perfectly formed, manlike skeleton, utterly surprising the professionals. Further tests indicated that the individual had suffered a violent death: a damaged spine, a broken collarbone, and a heavy blow that had smashed the skull were evident. The soft substance on the head was identified as brain tissue and congealed blood. Scientists estimated the mummy to be a full-grown adult, approximately 65 years old at the time of death. One of the most peculiar findings was a complete set of overly pointed, canine-like teeth.
The Mummy’s Journey and Disappearance
Allegedly, these initial examinations were performed by the American Museum of Natural History, with its authenticity certified by the Anthropology Department of Harvard University. Yet, conflicting reports surfaced, suggesting that when the University of Wyoming examined the mummy, their conclusion was that the body belonged to a deceased child. This discrepancy only deepened the mystery surrounding the find.
For years, the Pedro Mountains Mummy became a sensation, displayed in sideshows across the country. It was eventually purchased by Ivan T. Goodman, a Casper businessman. Following Goodman’s death in 1950, ownership passed to Leonard Walder, a New York businessman. Since Walder’s death in the 1980s, the mummy has not been seen publicly, and its current whereabouts remain unknown, adding another layer to its enigmatic story.
Echoes of Similar Discoveries
The Pedro Mountains Mummy is not an isolated incident in the annals of alleged “little people” discoveries. Reports of other tiny skeletons have surfaced in various parts of the U.S. Near Coshocton, Ohio, a burial ground was reportedly unearthed, containing the numerous remains of a pygmy race of people, each standing approximately three feet tall. In 1876, another ancient graveyard was documented in Coffee County, Tennessee. These accounts claimed the cemetery, covering an expanse of some six acres, held the remains of thousands of dwarf-like individuals, further fueling the legends.
The Enduring Legacy of the Little People
Despite its disappearance, the “little mummy” remains a captivating subject of scientific curiosity and, for many, a persistent legend. Superstitions abound, with some claiming the Pedro Mountains Mummy brought bad luck to those who possessed it. Meanwhile, Native Americans continue to honor and transmit the warnings to their people, advising caution regarding the “tiny people eaters” who are still believed to inhabit the mountains and high places of Wyoming. As for the prospectors who made the initial extraordinary discovery, Cecil Main and Frank Carr returned to their gold hunt. They registered their claim in Carbon County as the “Little Man Mine,” but ironically, it never yielded the gold they had initially hoped for. Today, a sign in Shirley Basin still marks the historical location of this intriguing mine, a silent testament to a discovery that transcended mere mineral wealth.
Conclusion
The tales of the Little People of Wyoming, epitomized by the perplexing Pedro Mountains Mummy, stand as a powerful confluence of folklore, tantalizing archaeological enigma, and unresolved scientific debate. This incredible find, emerging from the rugged landscape of the San Pedro Mountains, continues to ignite the imagination, bridging ancient Indigenous legends with the tantalizing possibility of physical evidence. The mummy’s eventual disappearance only deepens the mystery, leaving us to ponder the true nature of these diminutive inhabitants and the secrets that Wyoming’s ancient landscapes may still conceal. The enduring mystery of the Nimerigar and the Pedro Mountains Mummy reminds us that some legends may indeed have roots far deeper than we imagine.
