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Show March 1 03.qxd 12/7/2021 Volume VII Issue X 3:40 PM Page 9 THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 9 March 1, 2003 Mountain Lion and Eden Residents Square Off As told by Kent Fuller, February 20, 2003 This photo, printed 70 years ago in the Ogden Standard-Examiner, shows a very large mountain lion. The photo was preserved by the late Thelma Green and recently discovered and shared with the OGDEN VALLEY NEWS by her son Mel Green. The lion was shot by Leonard Fuller and Boyd “Bud” Carver. This same lion’s pelt currently hangs on the wall at Kent Fuller’s residence in Eden—Kent being the son of Len Fuller. The following story has been handed down and told many times, so once more should only make it even better: One cold winter morning, about 1932, Len was driving his team of horses west along the road in front of where Snowcrest Jr. High is now, pulling a bobsled loaded with pea vines for his livestock to eat. He noticed large tracks in the fresh snow leading to a barn that is still standing today next to Brett Johnson’s home on Highway 162. There were no tracks leaving the barn. Mountain lions were almost unheard of at the time, but the few rare sightings had deemed them a threat to the scarce deer population. All the time while feeding his cattle, Len kept wondering about those tracks, “Maybe they were lion tracks, and if they were, maybe the lion is still in that barn.” Len finished feeding the cattle, and began the trip back home. He lived in the home currently owned by Ben and Becky Toone, next to the Eden General Store, which he and his wife Phylis Fuller owned and operated. There he told his suspicions to a neighbor and friend, Bud Carver. It seems they convinced each other that they were in for a big game hunt, so armed with a shot gun and a rifle, and two bullets each, they went to look for what had made those big tracks in the snow. Reaching the barn, they could see there were still no tracks leaving the barn so Len climbed up a wooden ladder attached to the hayloft to check it out. He was shocked to see a huge mountain lion crouched in the loft, staring right in his face less than ten feet away. He lifted the rifle and took, what he thought would be, a sure, easy shot to the head, but instead the bullet glazed off the top of the lion’s forehead, leaving a small bald strip that still shows today. The lion jumped out over Len’s head, toward Bud and his shotgun. Bud aimed, and shot a blast of pellets, which bounced off the lion— making Bud holler, “I hit him!” and making the lion jump through a window of an empty home near the barn. Luckily no one was inside! The big cat ran around a little inside, but soon jumped back out the window, heading back to the west hills from where he must have strayed, maybe following rabbit tracks for his meal, and not being able to resist spending the night in the warm hay barn. With one shot left, Len made it good—hitting the lion in the heart at quite a distance. To this day, few, if any, mountain lions killed have been as large. The small town of Eden and the lion that was shot there were the subjects of conversation for some time. “Brave” little children over the years have kicked out all of the lion’s teeth as it lay on Phylis and Leonard’s floor in front of the fireplace. Subscriptions available for out of area residents at $18.00 annually. Send payment with mailing address to: THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS P O BOX 130 EDEN UT 84310 Spacious 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath, elegant custom home with sweeping Ogden Valley views. Offered at $289,900! Eden horse property. 6 bedroom, 3 bath home on 2.30 acres w/barn. Includes mother-in-law apt. in walkout basement. Just Listed! Beautiful 4 BD, 2.5 BA, Mountain Green Beautiful brand new home. Incredible quality throughout. Soaring vaulted ceilings. Main floor master. Views galore! $289,900! $244,900! 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It is said that when Fuller and Carver first shot at the cat, missing it, it ran out of the barn and jumped through a glass window into a vacant house, and then out again. Fuller finally killed it instantly with a single blow to the body. Fuller is shown left at the head, with Carver to the right. Photo from the StandardExaminer, and has been reprinted by permission. The OGDEN VALLEY NEWS is looking for Ogden Valley and Ogden Canyon historical biographies, stories, and photos to use in its publication. Please mail, email, or call at Shanna 745-2688, or Jeannie at 745-2879 if you have material that you would be willing to share. Incredible views! Brand new Huntsville home on 4.83 ac. 3+ BD, 2.5 BA, office & bonus rm. Granite kitchen counters. Full unfinished basement. $420,000! Beautiful rambler - over 2800 sq.ft. Gorgeous views. 4+ BR, 3 bath. Best deal in town! Assumable loan. Priced to sell fast! $185,000! Spectacular Mountain Green estate. 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