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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 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 ColoradoThere are also three Colorado Rivers: two in the United States and one in Argentina. Colorado is a state in the western United States. The name of Colorado came from the Spanish word "colorado" which means "reddish color". The name comes from the Colorado gold country in BreckenridgeBreckenridge is a town located in Summit County, Colorado. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 2,408. It is the county seat of Summit County 6. Breckenridge is also a popular ski resort during the winter months, servicing multi-diffi. Leaving that late in the season was dangerous, as winter can come fierce and fast to the high country. On January 21January 21 is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 344 days remaining (345 in leap years). Events 1189 Philip II of France and Richard I of England begin to assemble troops to wage the Third Crusade. 1276 Innocent V becomes Pope. of 1874Events January 1 New York City annexes The Bronx January 23 Marriage of the Duke of Edinburgh, second son of Queen Victoria, to Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia, only daughter of Emperor Alexander III of Russia. January Signing of the Pangkor Tr, he met with Chief OurayChief Ouray (circa 1833 August 24, 1880) was a Native American leader of the Uncompahgre band of the Ute tribe of modern-day Utah and Colorado. Chief Ouray Early life He was born in modern-day New Mexico in (probably) 1833, learning Spanish, English, and (known as the White Man's Friend) near Montrose, ColoradoMontrose is a city located in Montrose County, Colorado. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 12,344. It is the county seat of Montrose County 6. Geography Montrose is located at 38°28'37" North, 107°51'56" West (38. 476952, -107.. Chief Ouray recommended he wait until springSpring is one of the four seasons of temperate zones. Astronomically, it begins with the spring equinox (around March 21 in the Northern Hemisphere, and September 23 in the Southern Hemisphere), and ends with the summer solstice (around June 21 in the Nor. On February 9February 9 is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 325 days remaining, 326 in leap years. Events 474 Zeno crowned as co-emperor of the Byzantine Empire. 1621 Gregory XV becomes Pope. 1775 American Revolutionary War: English Parlia, 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 noted at sentencing that there were only a handful of Democrats in the county, "and you ate" a substantial fraction of them.
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.