Miracle Mike

On September 10, 1945, in Fruita, Colorado, Lloyd Olsen was slaughtering chickens on his family farm when an astonishing event unfolded. Amid the beheading process, one chicken not only survived but began running around the yard—headless. Astonished, Olsen named the resilient bird Mike and discovered that most of a chicken's brain, responsible for vital functions, resided behind the eyes.

Realizing the uniqueness of his feathered oddity, Olsen decided to exhibit Mike. Over the next 18 months, he showcased the headless rooster at fairs, carnivals, and public events. Mike's captivating tale even caught the attention of Time magazine. To sustain Mike, Olsen employed a careful regimen, feeding him through a dropper and clearing his throat with a syringe.

Despite Mike's peculiar condition, he became a sensation, captivating audiences with his improbable survival story. Unfortunately, this extraordinary journey met a tragic end on March 17, 1947, during a tour stop in Phoenix, Arizona. Olsen and his wife, Clara, woke up to the distressing sound of Mike choking on mucous. In a cruel twist of fate, the essential syringe was left behind at a sideshow. Helpless, the Olsens could only watch as Mike, the headless wonder, succumbed to suffocation.

Although Mike's tale concluded decades ago, the legacy of the headless chicken lives on in Fruita. Each year, the city pays homage to Mike with a dedicated festival that attracts hundreds of attendees from across the United States. The festival serves as a testament to the enduring fascination and admiration for the remarkable and resilient bird that defied the odds.

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