The mystery of the 132-year-old Winchester rifle found propped against a national park tree - The Washington Post It may need a little refurbishment and repair though.
I wager it is exactly like what one of the scenarios stated. A hunter propped it up alongside the tree while dressing a deer. Got the animal quartered and loaded on the pack animal and headed back to where ever home was and didn't notice it was gone until seeing the empty scabbard. By then, they were too far away to turn around, weather might have been an issue, probably dark. And, they may have returned and couldn't find it. Great story..... This pic?
It is amazing that no one has noticed it over the years. It did blend in some but IMO it shows how little people really look at their surroundings.
Odds there is an article on huffpo about how the rifle snuck up there to hide out after shooting poor minority children...
Thanks for posting this. It really sparks the imagination. I enjoy going to nearby battle grounds and other places and imagining what it would have been like in times past. It could be several interesting scenario s as to how that gun got there. The hunter story is a likely one. But it is odd that a person in those times would not keep track of such a valuable item. Makes me think that an accident or even foul play could be involved. Or perhaps a battle. When I was a teenager I found gun parts and a battle club on my parents farm. I discovered that an old trail on the property was part of the Red River ox cart trail (of the North that flows into Canada) and that the farm was a stop on that trail. It was also a trail to an Indian village. It was also on the border between the Sioux and Ojibway tribes that fought and raided each other so I wonder what could have happened there.
My guess is next week they will find human remains 50 yds. away...With arrows sticking out its head? But I could be wrong?
