Little People & the Pedro Mountain Mummy
Across the vast and varied landscapes of North America, whispers of diminutive beings have echoed through generations. These accounts, deeply embedded in the oral traditions of numerous Native American tribes, speak of "little people," entities often depicted as standing between a mere 20 inches and three feet in height. From the Arapaho to the Sioux, the Cheyenne to the Crow, these legends paint a rich tapestry of beliefs and interpretations regarding these enigmatic figures. While some tribes characterize them as malevolent "tiny people eaters," others portray them as benevolent spirits, healers, or beings imbued with magical properties akin to leprechauns or fairies. Regardless of the specific narrative, the pervasive nature of these stories suggests a widespread awareness of the little people long before the arrival of European settlers.
Among the Shoshone Indians of Wyoming, these diminutive beings were known as the Nimerigar. Their legends recount tales of conflict, with the Nimerigar employing miniature bows and poisoned arrows in their attacks. A particularly grim aspect of the Nimerigar lore involves the practice of killing their own when they became too infirm to contribute to the group. While this practice is presented as part of the Nimerigar legend, it’s important to note that infanticide and geronticide were sometimes practiced by various nomadic Native American tribes as a harsh necessity for survival.
While many consider these accounts of little people to be purely mythological, certain discoveries have challenged this notion, fueling speculation and debate. The most compelling of these is the discovery of a remarkably well-preserved mummy in 1932.
The story of the Pedro Mountain Mummy begins in the rugged terrain of the San Pedro Mountains, approximately 60 miles southwest of Casper, Wyoming. Two men, Cecil Main and Frank Carr, were engaged in the arduous task of prospecting for gold. Their efforts led them to a particularly promising vein, but their progress was consistently impeded by the presence of solid rock. In an attempt to overcome this obstacle, they resorted to the use of dynamite to blast through a section of the mountainside.
As the dust settled from the explosion, Main and Carr were astonished to discover a small cave concealed within the rock face. The cavern, measuring roughly 15 feet in length and 4 feet in height, had been effectively sealed off from the outside world by a thick wall of rock. Curiosity piqued, the men cautiously entered the cave.
Inside, they encountered an extraordinary sight: a tiny, mummy-like figure seated cross-legged on a ledge. The diminutive mummy, later known as the Pedro Mountain Mummy, was a mere 6 ½ inches tall in its seated position, with an estimated standing height of 14 inches. Its skin was described as brown and wrinkled, its forehead low and flat. Its facial features included a flat nose, heavy-lidded eyes, and a remarkably wide mouth with thin lips. The overall appearance of the mummy was strikingly similar to that of an elderly man. Remarkably, the mummy was exceptionally well-preserved, with even its fingernails still visible on its hands. The top of its head was covered in a dark, jelly-like substance that remained pliable to the touch. The discovery of the little people‘s mummy ignited the curiosity of many.
The prospectors brought their extraordinary find to Casper, Wyoming, where it quickly attracted the attention of scientists and researchers from across the country. Initially, many were skeptical, assuming the mummy to be an elaborate hoax or a cleverly constructed taxidermy creation. To determine the true nature of the mummy, extensive tests were conducted, including X-ray analysis.
The results of these tests proved to be quite surprising. The X-rays revealed a perfectly formed, man-like skeleton within the mummy. Further analysis indicated that the mummy had been subjected to a violent death, as evidenced by damage to the spine, a broken collarbone, and a severe blow to the skull. The soft substance on the top of the head was identified as exposed brain tissue and congealed blood. Based on the findings, scientists estimated that the mummy was a fully grown adult, approximately 65 years old at the time of death. One particularly unusual feature was the presence of overly pointed teeth, including a complete set of canines.
According to some accounts, these examinations were allegedly performed by the American Museum of Natural History, with the findings certified as genuine by the Anthropology Department of Harvard University. However, conflicting reports suggest that an examination conducted by the University of Wyoming concluded that the mummy was, in fact, the body of a deceased child. This discrepancy has further fueled the controversy surrounding the mummy’s true nature and origin. The enigma of the little people deepened.
Following its initial examination, the Pedro Mountain Mummy was displayed in sideshows and exhibitions for several years, captivating audiences with its unusual appearance and mysterious origins. Eventually, the mummy was purchased by a Casper businessman named Ivan T. Goodman. Upon Goodman’s death in 1950, the mummy passed into the possession of Leonard Walder, a New York businessman who passed away in the 1980s. Since then, the Pedro Mountain Mummy has vanished from public view, and its current whereabouts remain unknown.
The story of the Pedro Mountain Mummy is not the only account of possible evidence supporting the existence of little people. Reports of other skeletal remains have surfaced in various locations across the United States. Near Coshocton, Ohio, a burial ground was reportedly discovered containing the remains of numerous individuals of a pygmy race, measuring only about three feet in height. In 1876, another ancient graveyard was documented as having been discovered in Coffee County, Tennessee. This cemetery, said to cover approximately six acres, purportedly held the remains of thousands of dwarf-like people.
Despite the intriguing nature of these reports, it is important to approach them with a critical and discerning eye. Many such claims lack sufficient documentation or scientific validation, and may be based on misinterpretations, hoaxes, or exaggerations.
The Pedro Mountain Mummy, despite its disappearance, remains a subject of scientific curiosity and fascination for many. Some believe it to be evidence of a genuine, previously unknown species of diminutive humans, while others maintain that it is simply an anomaly, a hoax, or a misidentified specimen.
According to local lore, the Pedro Mountain Mummy was said to bring bad luck to those who possessed it. Native American tribes in the region continue to warn their people to be wary of the "tiny people eaters," who are believed to still inhabit the mountains and high places of Wyoming. The stories of little people persist in the cultural landscape.
As for Cecil Main and Frank Carr, the prospectors who initially discovered the mummy, they returned to the San Pedro Mountains to continue their search for gold. They registered their claim in Carbon County as the "Little Man Mine," in reference to their extraordinary find. However, despite their efforts, the mine never yielded the gold they had hoped for. Today, a sign still stands in Shirley Basin, marking the location of the ill-fated "Little Man Mine."
The legend of the little people and the mystery of the Pedro Mountain Mummy continue to intrigue and inspire debate. Whether fact or folklore, these tales offer a glimpse into the rich tapestry of human beliefs and the enduring power of the unknown.
