Big Nose George a notorious outlaw in Wyoming was part of a gang of outlaws in the late
1870's actively robbing pay wagons, stages of cash shipments and taking involuntary
contributions from teamsters and passengers. He was captured and sentenced to be hanged
on April 2, 1881. In an attempted escape Big Nose George attacked Jailer Robert Rankin from
behind smashing him over the head with eight pound shackles. Rankin suffered a fractured
skull. Jailer Robert Rankin called for his wife Rosa Rankin who rushed in sealing off the cell
block door behind her to prevent the prisoners escape and brandishing a pistol, convincing
Big Nose George to return to his cell. As news spread through the town about the attempted
escape, plans for a lynching where whispered among towns folk. Big Nose George was forcibly
removed from the prison by overpowering a guard and marched out to be hung. After the first
hanging attempt was unsuccessful due to the noose breaking the lynch mob hung him from a
greater height with a heavier rope. This time the lynching of Big Nose George was successful.
But he was not to rest in peace. Dr. John Osborne, Dr. Thomas Maghee, and young Lillian
Heath who was working as an assistant to Dr. Maghee had the casket opened and the body
removed.  The doctors wanted to study Parrott’s brain to see if there was some physical
reason for his criminal behavior.  The skull cap was crudely sawed off to get at the brain and
it was later given to young Miss Heath.

Dr. Maghee and his fifteen year old protégé acted with the medical ethics of the time using
the results of their study for scientific research.  But Dr. Osborne’s involvement borders on
the morbidly bizarre.  First he molded George’s death mask using plaster of paris.  The casting
is without ears because while struggling as he choked to death, George’s ears were worn off by
the rope.  Next he removed the skin from Parrott’s thighs and chest.  This flesh was tanned and
the greater portion of it made into a pair of shoes that Dr. Osborne wore proudly. 
It is interesting to note that in the fall of 1892, John Osborne was elected the first Democratic
Governor of the State of Wyoming and that he wore those shoes to his inaugural ball in 1893.