Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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To Serve Man, Our Pal Alferd Packer by PITT DICKEY Where were you on Jan. 7, 1901? Probably a twinkle in encouraged them to wait for better weather. Al and five of some ancestor's eye. This brings up the existential question the guys had gold fever and only stayed a short while in the of where are we before we are born. That is a subject way too Indian camp. deep for this shallow pond of a column. Instead of pondering Two months after leaving the Ute camp, Al showed up alone where you were 113 years ago, we shall consider where Alferd at the Los Pinos Indian Agency looking pretty well fed. Al's Packer was on Jan. 7, 1901. We don't know where you were, first explanation was that he had gotten lost from the other but we do know where Al was that day. Al was paroled from guys during a blizzard and survived eating bunnies. Curiously, prison after serving 18 years for cannibalism. Somewhere in Al had the wallets of the other gentlemen and a large amount the back of your brain where odd thoughts collect and gather of money. Suspicions began to pile higher than an elephant's dust, you may recognize the name of Alferd Packer. If you are eye. Al's next version was that four of the others had died of from Colorado, you may have more than a clue about Alferd. exposure at different points along the trail and he and the other The University of Colorado at Boulder features the Alferd survivor, Shannon Bell, had eaten them. Shannon allegedly Alferd Packer was paroled from Packer Grill at its student union. finally went nuts and tried to kill Al. Al had to shoot Shannon prison after serving 18 years for A fiery skillet with the speed of light, a cloud of Adolph's and eventually ate him. cannibalism. Meat Tenderizer and a hearty "Hi-yo Dinner Time!" It's Al's story began to fall apart when the left overs of all five Alferd Packer! With his faithful fileting knife, the daring and prospectors were found at one campsite. The jury convicted resourceful masked cannibal of the plains led the fight for lunch and supper in Al of manslaughter and sent him to the Colorado Big House where he remained the early West. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. Alferd until he was paroled. Packer rides again! What are we to make of this story? What can we learn from Alferd? What can Big Al was one of the Old West's more colorful characters. Before Al started you say about a cannibal named Alferd? Say it loud and there's music playing. his career as a short order cook, he tried to earn a living as a miner. His Say it soft and it's almost like sauteeing. I'll never stop saying Alferd. mining career didn't go so well. He decided to try his hand as a guide for other Proudly, the pioneer spirit of Alferd lives on in 21st Century America. We prospectors. In November 1873, Al hired himself out as a guide to lead 21 have enjoyed watching the Tea Party going all Alferd Packer on Establishment prospectors into the Colorado gold fields where they expected to find fame and Republicans. The mainstream news media is going Alferd Packer on Chris fortune. What five of the prospectors found as a result of relying on Al was a Christie and his bridge hijinx. The News & Observer has been going Alferd new career as human sushi. Packer on the UNC basketball and football teams. The Kardashians have been The winter of 1873-74 was bad news. Global warming had not yet set in. going Alferd Packer on the intellectual level of all Americans. It was cold as a well driller's fanny in Butte, Mont., in January. Al and the As Michael Corleone said in the Godfather Part II, "Keep your boys wandered cold and hungry into the camp of Chief Ouray and his tribe of friends close, and your enemies closer." To which we now add friendly Utes. These Utes are not to be confused with the yutes discussed in the Alferd Packer coda — "Keep them PITT DICKEY, Attorney, Contributing Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@ My Cousin Vinny. Chief Ouray provided food and shelter for Al's group and really close. Eat them." upandcomingweekly.com. 6th Annual Bridal Extravaganza FEBRUARY 16th from 11-4 FAYETTEVILLE - BORDEAUX 6 JAN. 29 - FEB. 4, 2014 • 28 Vendors • 2 Fashion Shows presented by David's Bridal • Prize Drawings for gifts every 5 minutes • Grand Prize drawing after 3:30 (must be present to win) TICKETS $3 in advance or $7 at the door. "Chef John Turner of the Holiday Inn Bordeaux will present and array of Culinary Delights." Vendors include: 5 Star Entertainment, George Joelle Photography, Celebrations Event Design, Owen's Florist, It Works, Mary Kay Cosmetics, etc. Don't miss the areas largest Bridal Show! Each Bride receives a bag filled with goodies. WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM