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Alferd PackerAlferd Packer (November 21, 1842 - April 23, 1907) is often known as the only American ever convicted of cannibalism, though in reality his conviction was for murder, not cannibalism. Not even the members of the well-known Donner Party were convicted of cannibalism in California, as cannibalism is not a crime in the United States. Note: Packer sometimes signed his name as "Alferd", sometimes as "Alfred", and is referred to by both names. In many documents, he is referred to simply as A. Packer or Al Packer. Packer's life Packer was born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He served in the American Civil War, on the Union side presumably in an Iowa regiment, but was mustered out due to epilepsy. He entered fame in 1873. In November, 1873, Packer with a party of 21 left Provo, Utah, bound for the Colorado gold country in Breckenridge. Leaving that late in the season was dangerous, as winter can come fierce and fast to the high country. On January 21 of 1874, he met with Chief Ouray (known as the White Man's Friend) near Montrose, Colorado. Chief Ouray recommended he wait until spring. On February 9, a party of six left for Gunnison, Colorado. At an unknown date, the party got hopelessly lost, ran out of provisions, and became snowbound in the Rocky Mountains. Packer allegedly went scouting and came back to discover one of his party roasting human meat. According to Packer, the man rushed him with a hatchet; Packer shot and killed him. On March 6, 1874, Packer arrived alone at Los Pinos Indian Agency near Gunnison. He spent some time in a Saguache, Colorado Bar, meeting several of his previous party. He initially claimed self-defense, but his story did not wash. Packer signed a confession on May 8, 1874. He was jailed in Saguache. On August 8, the victims were found, with evidence of struggle and murder, and Packer escaped from Saguache. He vanished for several years. On March 11, 1883, Packer was discovered in Cheyenne, Wyoming living under the alias of "John Schwartze." On March 16, he signed another confession. On April 6, 1883, a trial began in Lake City, Colorado, Hindsdale County. On the 13th, he was found guilty and sentenced to death. But Packer hornswoggled the hangman; in October, 1885, the sentence was reversed by the Colorado Supreme Court on a grandfather clause. However, on August 6, 1886, Packer was sentenced to 40 years at a trial in Gunnison. The judge is reported to have screamed at sentencing, "Packer, you depraved Republican son of a bitch, there were only five Democrats in Hinsdale County, and you ate them all!" The quote is considered apocryphal. On June 19, 1899, Packer's sentence was upheld by the Colorado Supreme Court. However, he was paroled on February 8, 1901 and two days later moved to the city of Deer Creek, in Jefferson County, Colorado. He is widely rumored to have become a vegetarian before his death of reputed "Senility - trouble & worry" at the age of 64. His grave is still in Littleton, Colorado. His pardon waited until March 5, 1981. Years later Evidence dug up since suggests that Packer was a cannibal, but not a murderer. On July 17, 1989 an exhumation of the bodies of the victims of Alferd Packer was undertaken by Professor James E. Starrs of The George Washington University, following an exhaustive search for the precise location of their remains. However, it may never be known for sure. In 1968, the University of Colorado at Boulder named their new cafeteria grill the Alferd E. Packer Memorial Grill (they currently sell a "El Canibal" meal to students) http://umc.colorado.edu/food/grill_pages.html In 1982 a statue to Packer was placed on the Boulder campus. In 1977 the United States Department of Agriculture named its Washington cafeteria The Alferd Packer Memorial Dining Facility. It was opened by Agricultural Secretary Robert Bergland, who stated that "Alferd Packer exemplifies the spirit and fare that this agriculture department cafeteria will provide." It was later renamed. In a veiled sarcastic criticism of food service available to members of the Congress of the United States, a member representing Colorado once proposed renaming an eating facility there after Packer. In 1993, South Park creator Trey Parker created a student film, Cannibal! The Musical, based loosely on the life of Packer. External links and references Packer, Alferd
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