THIS IS THE STORY I WAS TOLD --- BELIEVE IT OR NOT!

On Halloween in 1934 the owner of this tractor was preparing a new field to plant hay for the following year. He was working in a remote area of his vast ranch in northern Wyoming and told no one of his specific plan or location before starting the job.

When he failed to return home after several days he was reported missing by his brother who became worried that he may have become a victim of accident or animal attack. A massive search, was launched at the time but no trace of either the rancher or tractor was found.

In 1997 this gruesome scene was stumbled upon by a group of deer hunters. One of the hunters was a friend of mine who alerted me to the photo opportunity.

The skeletal remains were examined carefully by forensic experts and no evidence was found to indicate that the death was caused by animal attack. However, the forensic examination revealed some other startling facts. Three of the cervical vertebrae were brutally crushed, which suggested death by strangulation and the extensive damage to the neck area suggested the work of a brute of almost superhuman strength.

The fact that no trace of the ranchers shoes or clothing was found and that the body was allowed to sit intact on the tractor seat, undisturbed by animals for 63 years are mysteries that remain unsolved. Speculation by locals is that the deed was done by Sasquatch, sightings of which are reported frequently in this part of Wyoming.

The mystery will probably never be solved but folks in northern Wyoming are much more watchful these days when they go out to plow the back forty, especially on Halloween! Copyright 2007, John Swift