The idea was if all four newspapers published the same lie, few would question it.
Each had been tasked by their editors to come up with something exciting to entertain their readers with.
Each had come up empty.
Denver, at that timetheDenver Post noteswas full of ethically challenged journalists.
Harry Tammen, thePosts co-owner, was proud of it.
He once said: The public not only likes to be fooled it insists upon it.
Tammen bought the strugglingDenver Evening Standardfor $12,500 in 1895 and changed its name toDenver Post.
The four debated the idea briefly and decided to set the story on a foreign landChina.
TheRocky Mountain Newsnever published the news at all, despite its reporter reportedly being part of the cabal.
Another large newspaper claimed to have spoken to a Chinese official who confirmed the story.
Only theNew York Timesquestioned the authenticity.
It wasnt until 40 years later that one of the reporters finally confessed to the scheme.
Wilbers hoax was short-lived.
Only seventeen years later, it was featured in the bookGreat Hoaxes of All Timepublished in 1956.
