April 26, 1890, the Tombstone Epitaph published an article in their newspaper: "Found in the Desert--A Strange Winged Monster Discovered And Killed On The Huachuca Desert." The creature was described as a mix of alligator and huge wings. The creature was killed between the Huachuca and Whetstone Mountains. The creature was evidently tired when it was hunted and killed. The cowboys measured the creature. It was 92 feet long, 50 inches in diameter and 160 feet from wingtip to wingtip. The head alone was 8 feet long, thick jaws and sharp teeth. Its eyes were described as the size of dinner plates. It only had 2 feet. The wings were described as membraneous, lacking fur and feather. Its entire body lacked fur or feather.
The 2 cowboys left the creature there, cutting off its wingtip as a souvenir. Supposedly a search was undertaken the next day, to bring the creature back for scientists. No follow up article was done.
One person knew the cowboys well and believed that this was real and not a hoax. No photographs accompanied the article. (The article from the Tombstone Epitaph.)
However, in 1963, in Saga Magazine, the author of an article states that the creature was photographed. Supposedly, the body was brought back to Tombstone and nailed to the side of a barn. Although many details are wrong, others claim to have seen a photograph in the hands of a naturalist (Ivan Sanderson) who gave it to 2 men from Pennsylvania. Of course the photo hasnt been seen since. Fate magazine, in 1963, claimed the photograph had been published in newspapers and magazines all over the world. Many people claim to have a similar memory of seeing the photograph, with similar details. Despite search efforts, no trace of the photo has been seen, either published or not published.
In 2000, an internet site publishes a photo of hunters with a pterodactyl. The editor of the site claimed to have found it in the pages of a thrift store book. Experts on the website testified to the authenticity of the photo. They were not cowboys. They wore civil war uniforms. Was this a second pterodactyl?
The photograph was proven to be a fake. The website was in fact a promotional site for a tv show based on weird events. The newspaper article from the Tombstone Epitaph is real. Two cowboys reported killing such a creature. Were they telling a tall tale, one they made up around a campfire one night?
To claim credit for this waymark, please post a gps photo of the front of the Tombstone Epitaph office, located at 9 South 5th St, Tombstone Arizona.
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