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Show PAGE 23 THE ZEPHYRJUNE 89 The various buildings were ell bum by the members. Most ol them are rough cut lumber, uninsulated, with no plastered walls and usually cardboard r newspaper to keep out the winter cold. Heel and cooking were apparently done tdlh wood burning SIOVM. Outdoor plumbing was the role end to water n mo he houses. A pretty ragged existence evenfoMhttOs!n ALL-AMERIC- AN . Some of the bulkflngs were bulK as dormitories and meeting places. One large unfinished foundation must have been meant to be a temple of sorts. Marie Ogdens home In the gap, though unpalnted clapboard, had a porch, a fairly decent Interior with several bedrooms and a two car garage underneath the structure. Here and there are homes made of adobe brick or covered with In recent years transients have shingles Instead of the usual clapboard. In one and bui case burned the house to the ground. used the kings Mrs. Ogden and her group got along with their Montlcello neighbors. She , AGENCY 505 No. Main 259-649- 3 Meet Our Real Estate Team Doug McElhney, owner 259-687- 8 Delbert & Glenna Oliver 259-737- 0 5 Norma Nunn 259-727- Ray Tibbetts Julie Bierschied 259-636- 1 259-567- 0 Janice Shupe Randy Day 259-628- 259-749- 7 even bought and edited the San Juan Record, the only newspaper In the county. Wallace Stegner In his "Mormon Country says they got along because many of Mrs. Ogdens beliefs were similar to those of the dominant religious group In the area, the Mormons, so they were more understanding than would normally be expected. c What finally got the Home of Truth Into trouble was an attempt In 1935 to bring one of the recently deceased members of the colony back to life. Mrs. Ogden beHeved that If she could keep the corpse from deteriorating that sooner or later she could get the soul back Into the body and restore Bfe. The sheriff of San Juan County got Into the act several months later and checked on the now naturally mummified body declaring that it was no health menace and since many people In San Juan County had old Indian mummies from tfie dry caves of the county he guessed Mrs. Ogden could have one too. So Mrs. Ogden kept her mummy for at least another two years. It was announced that the dead woman was about to return to Bfe. This stirred the authorities to further action. As the furor got hot she gained nation-wi- de attention and the powers-that-- be began to lean harder and harder on Mrs. Ogden. She solved her problem by getting rid of the body. Some say It was cremated shortly after the first contact with the law. At any rate the colony began to go down hill after this fiasco and most of the faithful drifted away. A few members continued to live at the Home of Truth even after Mrs. Ogdens death. The final chapter was written the last of September In 1977 when her possessions were auctioned off at Photograph Gap. The land and buildings are now In private hands. There are no signs to say keep out but visitors should mind their manners If only out of respect for Mrs. Ogden and her sect and their attempts to solve the mysteries of Bfe and the hereafter. And who knows the mummy may still be about the place somewhere. 3 . : , Canyon Country Bed & Breakfast Moab, Utah . Mountain bikers and river runners often stay at the Canyon Country bed-and-breakf- ast. OUTSIDE magazine Spacious ranch-styl- e house with large patio Comfortable beds Private and shared bathrooms In town, quiet and off Main Street The only Inhabitant In 1985 a weasel In winter coat of white Air conditioning Delicious and filling Continental Breakfast Assistance in selecting the best local tours -Bike, Hike, Raft, Jeep & Scenic Flights No smoking on premises Children 12 and over welcome No pets, please Rooms start at $35.00 Chuck & Judy Nichols 590 N. 500 W. Moab, Utah 84532 801-259-78- 82 800-635-17- 92 . outside Utah |