Hump Day Horror
On this day in 1901, he was released from prison on parole after serving 18 years.
He was among the prospectors who combed the Rocky Mountains for gold in the 1860's. Packer also served as a guide in the Utah and Colorado wilderness. During the winter of 1873-1874, he led 21 men through harsh weather - after seeking refuge among the Ute Indians, Packer and five of the men decided to continue the journey.
Two months later, Packer arrived alone at the Los Piños Indian Agency, but looking relatively well. He claimed he had been separated from the other men during a blizzard and survived on rabbits and rosebud. But he also had a bit of money and many items belonging to the men.
Being questioned, Packer said four of the men died from the extreme conditions, so he and the other survivors would eat them. The last one, Shannon Bell, went insane and threatened to kill Packer, so he shot him, and later ate him too.
This all could have been believed, until searchers found the five men at a single campsite.
Packer then tried to blame Bell. He said he left camp to search for a trail, and when he returned, Bell had gone mad and used a hatchet on the others, and was found boiling the flesh. When Bell charged him, he shot. Having changed his story so much though, he was convicted of manslaughter.
Packer is the inspiration for Cannibal! The Musical.
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