George Parrott American criminal Country: USA

1. Biography of George Parrot
2. Robbery and Murders
3. The Miles City Robbery
4. Capture and Lynching
5. The Gruesome Aftermath
6. Legacy

Biography of George Parrot

George Parrot, also known as Big Nose George, George Manuse, or George Warden, was an American outlaw, robber, and cattle rustler who operated in the late 19th century in the American Wild West. He gained notoriety for being turned into a pair of boots after his execution.

Robbery and Murders

In 1878, Parrot and his gang attempted a robbery of a train in Wyoming. During their escape, they killed Sheriff's assistant Robert Widdowfield and Union Pacific Railroad detective Tip Vincent, who were tasked with tracking down the bandits. The gang was traced to Rattlesnake Canyon near the small town of Elk Mountain, where they engaged in a shootout before escaping with stolen weapons and a horse.

The Miles City Robbery

In February 1879, Parrot and his companions planned a daring daytime robbery in Milestown, Montana. They ambushed a wealthy local merchant named Morris Cahn, who was traveling with a group of soldiers. Despite the armed escort, the gang managed to steal a significant amount of money, ranging from $3,600 to $14,000, depending on sources.

Capture and Lynching

A year later, Parrot and his accomplice Charlie Burris were arrested in Miles City. They had foolishly bragged about killing lawmen in Wyoming while intoxicated. Parrot was sent back to Wyoming for trial, where he was sentenced to be hanged on April 2, 1881, in Rawlins. However, he attempted to escape by removing the shackles and attacking the jailer, Robert Rankin. Despite his efforts, Parrot was restrained by Rankin's wife, Rosa, who came to her husband's aid. The news of the escape attempt spread, and a masked mob stormed the jail, took the keys from Rankin, and lynched Parrot from a telegraph pole.

The Gruesome Aftermath

Following his death, Parrot's body was mutilated. Doctors Thomas Maghee and John Eugene Osborne removed the top of his skull and presented it to their 15-year-old assistant, Lillian Heath, who later became Wyoming's first female physician. Parrot's skin was also removed from his thighs and chest to make a medical bag and boots for Osborne. The boots were rumored to be worn by Osborne at his inauguration ball as the first Democratic governor of Wyoming, although this claim is doubtful. Parrot's dismembered body was kept in a whiskey barrel filled with salt solution for a year while experiments were conducted. The remains were eventually buried in the backyard behind Maghee's office.

Legacy

George Parrot was surrounded by many legends, including associations with notorious outlaws such as the James and Butch Cassidy. However, most historians believe that Parrot was a common cattle rustler and robber. In 1950, Parrot's barrel with his bones, severed skull, and boots was discovered by workers. DNA analysis later confirmed the remains to be those of Parrot. Today, the boots, skull, and death mask are on display at a local museum.