Mike "Old Mike" (new marker) UNKNOWN

Died August 21, 1911
Buried May 12, 1975

See original FHM

*Old Mike is the name given to a traveling salesman who died in 1911 in Prescott, Nevada County, Arkansas.

The people of Prescott only knew him by his first name, Mike. He was subsequently embalmed and publicly displayed for over sixty years.

Mike visited Prescott about once a month to sell pens, paper, and thread to homes and businesses near the railroad tracks in the center of town. He would arrive on the southbound 3:00 p.m. train and stay overnight. The next day, he would get back on the 3:00 p.m. train, and continue his journey.

On April 11, 1911, Mike attended an outdoor revival in the city park. The next day, his body was found underneath a tree in the park. He had apparently died of a heart attack or stroke.

The body was taken to the Cornish Funeral Home, where it was embalmed. A search of Mike’s belongings did not turn up any identification.

What was known about Mike was that he was forty to forty-five years old; spoke perfect English with a little accent, possibly Italian. He had suffered some type of injury to his right arm and left leg, possibly the effects of a stroke. Mike had very elaborate dental work that was associated with dental work in Europe, New York, or Boston. New York & Boston were later ruled out.

The body was placed on display at the funeral home, in hopes of someone identifying it. No one came forward to identify, or claim the body.

As the years passed, it became more and more unlikely that Mike would ever be identified. The body turned into somewhat of a tourist attraction.
People traveled from surrounding areas to view the remains.

In 1975, Guy Tucker. the Arkansas Attorney General asked Cornish Funeral Home to bury the body. On May 12, 1975, a quiet ceremony was held at the DeAnn Cemetery, and Old Mike was laid to rest.

Contributed on 10/30/17 by MryAl8
Email This Contributor

Suggest a Correction

Record #: 1200411

Don't Follow